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A Rhode Island senator explained a proposal for reciprocal concealed carry legislation in a video discussion. The proposal relates to ongoing gun policy debates at the statehouse. Limited details available from video summary, but represents active legislative discussion on firearms regulation in Rhode Island.
Senators Whitehouse and Reed and Representatives Magaziner and Amo announced Rhode Island will receive $26.2 million in federal HUD funding for community development, housing, homelessness resources, and infrastructure. The allocation includes $16.5 million in Community Development Block Grants, $5.6 million for HOME Investment Partnerships, and $1.5 million for Emergency Solutions Grants. Senator Reed, who serves on the Senate THUD Appropriations Subcommittee, helped secure the funds in the FY2026 appropriations law.
Governor Dan McKee announced Wednesday he will seek to reverse last year's 2-cent gas tax hike in his upcoming budget proposal, aiming to return $9.5 million to Rhode Islanders. The governor did not sign last year's budget after the General Assembly added the gas tax increase to fund RIPTA. McKee assured that the cut would not impact road repairs or bridge maintenance as the state retires related debt.
Republican Rep. Brian Newberry introduced the Business Climate Reform Act, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Speaker Shekarchi and Minority Leader Chippendale that aims to significantly overhaul Rhode Island's corporate, trust, and estate laws. The legislation seeks to make Rhode Island competitive with Delaware and other states for business incorporation, potentially generating new state revenue streams. Changes include allowing anonymous LLCs, creating a Delaware-style Court of Chancery, and adopting protected-series LLC structures.
The Rhode Island Senate voted 34-3 on April 7 to pass legislation making attempts to disarm peace officers—including Brown and RISD police—a felony offense rather than a misdemeanor. Sponsored by Sen. Louis DiPalma at the request of Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy, the bill was prompted by a 2023 incident in which someone attempted to remove an officer's weapon. Senators Acosta and Mack opposed the measure, citing concerns about disproportionate impact on communities of color. The bill now moves to the House.
The Rhode Island House approved legislation by Rep. Lauren Carson mandating that all school food service contracts include composting or recycling provisions for organic waste. The bill also requires schools to publicly report waste audit results and establishes formal frameworks for cafeteria share tables. Carson cited the state landfill's 2045 capacity deadline and noted that Rhode Island schools waste 5 million pounds of food annually. The companion Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Bridget Valverde is scheduled for committee hearing Wednesday.
North Kingstown Town Manager Ralph Mollis wrote to Governor McKee expressing strong community opposition to the proposed QSS Biosolids pyrolysis facility at Quonset Business Park. Mollis criticized the lack of public engagement in the approval process, noting no notice to abutting residents and only one public meeting. The facility would convert sewage byproducts into fertilizer. McKee's office responded that more transparency and community outreach are needed, stating the governor will stand with the community's decision.
Attorney General Peter Neronha's Cold Case Unit concluded its investigation into the 1993 death of Lori Lee Malloy, determining insufficient evidence to classify it as a homicide despite daughter Lauren Malloy's advocacy. Three medical examiners found no evidence supporting murder. The AG's office reopened the case in 2022 after initial rulings changed the cause of death from "natural" to "undetermined." Malloy expressed disappointment that Neronha did not attend the meeting presenting findings after publicly citing her mother's case as justification for creating the Cold Case Unit.
