Robert Phillips

Enables the Rhode Island public transit authority (RIPTA) to work with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) to allow commuter rail passes to be used as dual passes for both RIPTA and MBTA.

Amends the regulations on the cancellation and renewal of liability and property damage insurance for automobiles, homeowners insurance, residential fire insurance and components thereof.

Requires all public utilities to maintain a customer service facility within the state to perform services such as addressing customer inquiries and accepting bill payments.

Facilitates the study of thermal energy technology to determine if these goals can be met by the implementation of thermal energy networks in Rhode Island.

Updates the state’s public accountancy act for consistency with the 9th edition of the Uniform Accountancy Act, as issued by NASBA and AICPA in July 2025.

Provides that no train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight be operated unless it had a crew consisting of at least 2 persons and includes the imposition of fines upon a company, individual or business for violations.

Raises the percentage from eighty percent (80%) to eighty-five percent (85%) regarding declaring a vehicle a total loss.

VACATE THE FORFEITURE OR REVOCATION OF THE CHARTER OF CHARLIE'S OIL CO., INC.

Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request.

VACATE THE FORFEITURE OR REVOCATION OF THE CHARTER OF LOS TOROS RECORDS, INC.

Establishes the commercial kitchen exhaust system inspection and cleaning licensing and certification act. Requires entities inspecting or cleaning commercial exhaust systems to be licensed and insured.

Updates the state’s public accountancy act for consistency with the 9th edition of the Uniform Accountancy Act, as issued by NASBA and AICPA in July 2025.

Prohibits the operation of any thermal waste conversion facility such as pyrolysis within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park and expires on June 1, 2027.

Makes a series of amendments and adds new provisions of law to address business identity theft and deceptive solicitations sent to businesses and the unauthorized formation of entities.

VACATE THE FORFEITURE OR REVOCATION OF THE CHARTER OF LOS TOROS BAND, INC.

Raises the percentage from eighty percent (80%) to eighty-five percent (85%) regarding declaring a vehicle a total loss.

Provides that motor vehicle rental companies be entitled to establish non-liability for toll violations, administrative fees, and fines by providing a rental or lease agreement as prima facie evidence that a lessee was the vehicle operator.

Prohibits health insurance companies or other payors from including in physician participation agreements any provisions that restrict or prevent a physician from charging patients reasonable administrative or operational fees to support overhead.

Establishes enforcement limitations on contract terms for the licensing of electronic books or digital audiobooks to libraries to preclude the library from being subject to unfair sales practices.

Establishes the thermal energy network & jobs act facilitating study of the technology to determine if goals can be met by implementing thermal energy networks in Rhode Island/creates a task force of interested parties to be an advisory committee.

Establishes the commercial kitchen exhaust system inspection and cleaning licensing and certification act. Requires entities inspecting or cleaning commercial exhaust systems to be licensed and insured.

Provides protocols for radon inspection relative to real estate transactions and provides time frames and conditions for testing and mitigation.

Adds property damage to statutory underinsured motor coverage, rather than just uninsured motorist coverage, as it is presently.

Provides for the operation and duties of natural organic reduction for the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Disposition facilities would be used for either cremation or natural organic reduction.

Permits reimbursement for dental hygienists from "other insurance" or a third-party payor such as Medicare.

Amends sections of the Rhode Island Cannabis Act relative to proof of residency terminology, and amends the definition of applicant and provides a new process for the approval and certification for social equity and cannabis retail sales licenses.

Provides an update to certain insurance sections of law to update or eliminate outdated sections of the insurance law.

Replaces the existing limited liability company act with a newer and updated model act.

Establishes requirements for capital, liquidity, and corporate governance including: audit, risk management, and board oversight, for nonbank mortgage servicers.

Requires any person in the business of selling, assigning or buying an equitable interest in real estate without taking legal title to such property, to be licensed as a real estate broker or salesperson and to comply with the disclosure requirements.

Amends the state’s online E-Permitting Portal using automated plan review and instant permit issuance.

Excludes portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system.

Establishes requirements for capital, liquidity, and corporate governance including: audit, risk management, and board oversight, for nonbank mortgage servicers.

Reduces funeral home inspections from twice a year to once a year.

Provides protocols for radon inspection relative to real estate transactions and provides time frames and conditions for testing and mitigation.

Provides that motor vehicle rental companies be entitled to establish non-liability for toll violations, administrative fees, registration penalties, and fines by providing a rental or lease agreement as prima facie evidence against a lessee.

Amends the regulations on the cancellation and renewal of liability and property damage insurance for automobiles, homeowners insurance, residential fire insurance and components thereof.

Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to limitations and requirements such as Vet making a good faith effort to determine if care should be provided through telemedicine instead of in person.

Requires any person in the business of selling, assigning or buying an equitable interest in real estate without taking legal title to such property, to be licensed as a real estate broker or salesperson and to comply with the disclosure requirements.

HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO SHARED SERVICES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS (Creates a special legislative commission to study and provide recommendations relating to shared services between Rhode Island school districts.)

Provides that where the administration, use, or maintenance of epinephrine within schools and on buses is authorized, this use includes epinephrine delivery devices approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration and epinephrine nasal sprays.

Provides that any schools days a public school is closed due to a declared state of emergency be deemed excused for purposes of compliance with minimum school days calendar requirements.

Expands foster care academic youth reports to include information regarding 504 eligibility, graduation progress and surrogate parents. The act would require implementation of additional strategies to improve performance and additional progress reports.

Strengthens school security measures, including the establishment of a RI school emergency response committee to develop additional recommendations for school security measures and requiring an annual school safety assessment by all school districts.

JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY SLUDGE MANAGEMENT IN RHODE ISLAND (That a special joint legislative commission be created consisting of 21 members and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than April 1, 2027, and said commission expires on June 1, 2027.)

Permits special community service to be imposed because of bullying based on religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

Requires public schools to give congressionally chartered youth organizations limited access for recruitment and brief student presentations with parent notice, while preserving school safety and discretion.

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Allows any member of a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Rhode Island to receive recreational freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses free of charge.

Requires the department of elementary and secondary education and DOH to adopt policies, rules and regulations for the administration of seizure rescue medications for children who have been medically identified as having epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Establishes a moratorium on changes to the state energy conservation code from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031, unless approved by the legislature and made effective by the governor.

Bars the council from granting approval to create or expand a charter school beginning operations in 26-27 school year and bars the state from approving or appropriating funds to a new charter school not approved before July 1, 2025.

Prohibits the importation, disbursement, distribution, or sale, of any species of non-native (exotic) terrestrial invasive plants.

Amends certain provisions relative to school waste recycling and refuse disposal and requires reports of waste audits by educational entities and reports of program participation by vendors.

Grants automatic admission to state public institutions for qualified Eagle Scout and Gold award recipients from the Girl Scouts.

Amends the Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024 by clarifying enforcement provisions.

HOUSE RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO WORK WITH THE TOWN OF NEW SHOREHAM TO DEVELOP A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK TO REDUCE TICK-BORNE ILLNESS ON BLOCK ISLAND (Creates mechanism for New Shoreham to seek a time limited exemption from certain statewide deer hunting prohibitions.)

HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS (Extends the reporting dates of the legislative study commission on climate change impact and solutions from 5/14/2026 to 5/14/2029.)

Bars the council from granting approval to create or expand a charter school beginning operations in 26-27 school year and bars the state from approving or appropriating funds to a new charter school not approved before July 1, 2025.

Allows any member of a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Rhode Island to receive recreational freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses free of charge.