Honoring Representative Joseph J. Solomon Jr. for His Service to the People of the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, The Honorable Joseph J. Solomon Jr. has served with distinction as the State Representative from District 22 in the City of Warwick since his first election in November 2014, offering dedicated representation, thoughtful leadership, and a deep commitment to his constituents and the people of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Representative Solomon serves as Chair of the House Corporations Committee and is a valued member of the House Oversight Committee and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, where he brings his experience as an attorney and business owner to complex policy and legislative matters; and

WHEREAS, In 2025, Representative Solomon addressed the state’s physician shortage by sponsoring legislation that helps internationally trained physicians secure medical licenses in Rhode Island by eliminating barriers such as the requirement to repeat residency programs; and

WHEREAS, Representative Solomon also sponsored a law allowing public utilities to purchase clean, safe nuclear power at competitive costs from out-of-state facilities and sponsored a law establishing a comprehensive legal framework for the sale of pet insurance in Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, During the 20 Legislative Session, Representative Solomon sponsored legislation modernizing the State’s banking tax structure to make it more competitive with other states by permitting financial institutions to elect a single sales factor apportionment methodology for calculating corporate income tax, and he championed a law to support affordable housing development by easing financial hurdles associated with inclusionary zoning at the municipal level; and

WHEREAS, In 2023, Representative Solomon sponsored measures to increase the monthly personal needs allowance for nursing home residents, which was adopted as part of the State budget, and sponsored a law increasing the amount tenants may deduct from rent for necessary repairs; and

WHEREAS, Representative Solomon also sponsored legislation creating a special commission to study the causes of the state’s declining quahog catch and currently serves as Co- Chair of that commission; and

WHEREAS, In 2022, he introduced legislation to help curb the theft of catalytic converters and legislation to construct safety barriers on Rhode Island bay bridges to deter suicide attempts, the latter of which was included in the 2022-2 State budget with funding to study feasibility; and

WHEREAS, A strong advocate for the elderly, Representative Solomon sponsored a law in 2021 requiring financial institutions to report suspected financial exploitation of seniors to the Office of Healthy Aging; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, he sponsored legislation to create the Rhode Island Small Business Development Fund to encourage private capital investment in small business by federally licensed investment companies, and in 2018 he sponsored a law allowing existing sexual education curriculum to incorporate age appropriate, evidence-based instruction on consent; and

WHEREAS, In 2017, Representative Solomon introduced animal protection legislation requiring that the sheltering and nourishment of dogs conform to industry standards, and that same year, he successfully introduced a Justice Reinvestment Reform bill expanding eligibility for drug court programming for individuals with certain prior convictions; and

WHEREAS, Representative Solomon’s leadership and advocacy have been recognized by numerous organizations, including the Golden Paw Award from Animal Rescue Rhode Island, the Humane Heroes Award from Defenders of Animals, and recognition from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine for his work to ban lethal animal use in medical training; and

WHEREAS, An attorney and business owner, Representative Solomon is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and in the U.S. District Courts for Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and he is an active member of the Rhode Island Bar Association; and

WHEREAS, Born on September 4, 1983, Representative Solomon graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in 2001, earned a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Providence College in 2005, and obtained his Juris Doctor from New England Law | Boston in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Representative Solomon resides in Warwick with his wife Sarah and their rescue dog Gigi, and has announced his candidacy for Attorney General of the State of Rhode Island, seeking to bring his legal, legislative, and public service experience to the office of the chief law enforcement officer of the State; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors and thanks Representative Joseph J. Solomon Jr. for his many years of distinguished service to the citizens of Warwick and the entire State of Rhode Island and extends to him its sincere best wishes for continued success in his campaign for Attorney General and all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Joseph J. Solomon Jr.