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The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy that would add telecommunications infrastructure to existing law protecting electric and communications lines from tampering. The bill addresses theft of copper and equipment from wireless towers and small cell sites. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.
House Bill H7417 and Senate Bill S2078, together titled the Save Rhode Island School Libraries Act, would require all Rhode Island public schools to have a dedicated library space with daily access. Schools with more than 250 students must employ at least one full-time certified school librarian, while smaller schools must have at least one part-time certified librarian. The University of Rhode Island is the only in-state institution offering the required Master of Library Information Studies degree.
US District Court for Rhode Island declined to appoint a new interim US attorney after Charles Calenda's 120-day term expired April 28. The Trump administration responded by naming Calenda 'Special Attorney and First Assistant US Attorney,' allowing him to remain atop the office without Senate confirmation. Chief Judge John McConnell cited preserving 'non-political professional operation' in his order, though critics see the move as circumventing Senate consultation.
North Kingstown Residents for Clean Air and Water sued the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, RI Commerce, and Quonset Development Corporation in Providence County Superior Court over a proposed $150 million sewage-sludge processing plant at Quonset Business Park. The 23-page complaint alleges state agencies failed to assess health and environmental impacts and denied adequate public notice. Plaintiffs seek to void the air permit and lease, plus compensatory damages.
Rhode Island finalized a settlement with Deloitte requiring the firm to pay the state $7 million plus an additional $5 million for unexpected 2025 expenses following the December 2024 RIBridges cybersecurity incident. Deloitte also provided $6 million worth of system enhancements and operational support services. The agreement covers Deloitte's role as the vendor managing the social benefits system that was shut down due to a cyberattack.
Governor Dan McKee nominated Joanna M. Achille and Maria Ferro Deaton to fill vacant seats on the Rhode Island Superior Court on April 29. If confirmed by the state Senate, Achille would replace retired Judge Stephen Nugent and Deaton would replace retired Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg. The nominations come amid scrutiny of McKee's judicial picks and questions about whether he will nominate House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi for a Supreme Court vacancy.
The Rhode Island General Assembly is considering over 100 health care bills this session, with four major bills advancing. H7743 would require police to carry epinephrine for emergency allergic reactions. Two Senate bills aim to address the primary care provider shortage through scholarship and loan repayment programs, funded at $500,000+ annually. Another bill caps prescription inhaler costs at $25 per month for insured patients.
The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved legislation on April 16 expanding collaborative pharmacy agreements to include nurse practitioners and physician associates, in addition to physicians. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Solomon Jr. and awaiting Senate action, allows pharmacists with advanced training to perform drug therapy management, order labs, and educate patients under agreements with non-physician providers.
Rhode Island finalized a $12 million settlement with Deloitte Consulting LLP on April 24, resolving issues from the December 2024 RIBridges cybersecurity breach. The agreement includes $12 million in direct financial recovery plus $6 million for system enhancements and ongoing support services to secure critical state benefits systems. Governor McKee stated the settlement protects taxpayer interests while ensuring continuity of essential IT infrastructure.
Rhode Island legislators introduced Senate Bill 3013 and House Bill 8369 to establish dedicated funding for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority by dedicating $10 from each vehicle inspection to RIPTA starting in 2027. The legislation responds to RIPTA's largest service cuts in history last year, which eliminated over 113,000 annual service hours and caused monthly ridership to drop by 125,000 trips.
Governor Dan McKee has submitted a budget amendment finalizing his $1 billion energy relief plan, which includes a revised Virtual Net Metering program for large-scale solar projects. The new proposal will save ratepayers up to $258 million over five years while offering developers a voluntary compensation structure at $0.19/kWh with a 2.75% annual escalator. The amendment also clarifies the state's approach to incorporating lower-cost nuclear and larger-scale hydropower to reduce Renewable Energy Standard costs.
