This Week at The General Assembly

This week at the

General Assembly

STATE HOUSE — Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease

§ General Assembly approves new agreement with Bally’s, IGT

The General Assembly approved amended legislation introduced by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) to strengthen the agreement between the State of Rhode Island and IGT and Bally’s Corporation, which operates Twin River Casino in Lincoln and Tiverton Casino Hotel. The legislation (2021-H 5223A, 2021-S 0040A) will be sent to Gov. Dan McKee, who intends to sign it.
Click here to see news release.

§ General Assembly passes legislation that bans child marriages in Rhode Island

The General Assembly passed Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) and Sen. John P. Burke’s (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick) legislation (2021-H 5387A, 2021-S 0398aa) that bans child marriages in Rhode Island. The legislation eliminates all language in state law that allowed persons under the age of 18 to obtain a marriage license with parental consent.

Click here to see news release.

§ Measures to limit insulin copays to $40 advance in both chambers
Both the House and the Senate approved bills to limit insured patients’ copays for insulin used to treat diabetes to $40 for a 30-day supply. The Senate approved its bill (2021-S 0170A), sponsored by Sen. Melissa A. Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield), and the House approved a companion measure (2021-H 5196Aaa) sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly). Each bill now goes to the other chamber.
Click here to see Senate news release.
Click here to see House news release.

§ Senate OKs bill requiring 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030
The Senate passed legislation (2021-S 0629A) introduced by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) to require by 2030 that 100 percent of electricity sold in Rhode Island be generated from renewable sources. It would codify a similar executive order from former Gov. Gina Raimondo in January 2020. The bill now goes to the House.
Click here to see news release.

§ House OKs bill aimed at expanding broadband availability, affordability
The House approved legislation sponsored by House Innovation, Internet and Technology Committee Chairwoman Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) to strategically cultivate expanded broadband service statewide. The legislation (2021-H 5148A) would create a Broadband Council and establish a broadband coordinator within the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to better position Rhode Island to access federal funding, address issues of high-speed internet access, and leverage economic development opportunities. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Sen. James A. Seveney (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol, Tiverton) is sponsoring a companion measure (2021-S 0896).
Click here to see news release.

§ Senate OKs bill to give family caregivers access to residents in nursing homes
The Senate passed legislation (2021- S 0006A) introduced by Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) that would allow nursing home residents to be visited by certain family members or caregivers during a state of emergency. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, where similar legislation (2021-H 5543) has been introduced by Rep. June Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Bristol Warren).
Click here to see news release.

§ Senate OKs bill barring insurers from charging copays for COVID treatments
The Senate passed legislation (2021-S 0877A) introduced by Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) that would prohibit health insurance companies from charging copays for COVID-related treatments. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, where similar legislation (2021-H 6208) has been introduced by Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence).
Click here to see news release.

§ House passes bill that streamlines ESL and ELL teacher certifications

The House of Representatives passed Rep. Nathan W. Biah’s (D-Dist. 3, Providence) legislation (2021-H 5829A) that would streamline the English as a second language (ESL) and/or English language learner (ELL) teaching certification process. The purpose of the legislation is to increase the number and percentage of teachers in the state that are certified as ESL and/or ELL teachers. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Click here to see news release

§ Senate passes Sosnowski legislation allowing for the direct dockside sale of fish
The Senate passed legislation (2021-S 0206A) introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, New Shoreham, South Kingstown) that would allow for the direct dockside sale of fish. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, where similar legislation (2021-H 5921) has been introduced by Rep. Justin K. Price (R-Dist. 39, Richmond, Hopkinton, Exeter).
Click here to see news release.

§ House OKs bill requiring officials to publish data on school resource officers
The House of Representatives passed legislation (2021-H 5827A) introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) that would require the Department of Education in coordination with the attorney general to collect and publish data concerning school resource officers in each district, including use of force against students, arrests, and referrals to law enforcement or courts. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Click here to see news release.

-30-

For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments on Donald Trump's claim of presidential immunity in his federal election interference case. Trump's attorney D. John Sauer argued that every president could face blackmail and extortion by political rivals if they don't have full immunity for official acts taken while in office. Justice Sonia Sotomayor pressed Sauer over the argument, asking whether a president who orders an assassination of a rival he views as corrupt can have immunity. Former President Trump is back in a New York City court this morning as his criminal hush money trial resumes. Jurors will again hear testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker who has explained this week how he protected Trump from negative stories leading up to the 2016 presidential election while smearing Trump's opponents. Trump faces felony charges of falsifying business records to cover up payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair. Stocks are tanking after new economic data shows a sharp slowdown in growth. Gross domestic product rose by one-point-six-percent in the first quarter, against expectations of two-point-four-percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has been down more than 650 points at times in today's session. The Nasdaq has been down over 200 points at times as well. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says pro-Palestinian protesters in Austin are antisemitic and "belong in jail." The Republican also said students who join protests at any public college or university in Texas "should be expelled." This comes after hundreds of students walked out of classes Wednesday at the University of Texas and began a sit-in protest to support civilians in Gaza who are being bombed by Israel. Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein is having his conviction for sex crimes in New York overturned. The New York Court of Appeals ruled Weinstein did not receive a fair trial. The court found the judge in his trial made an error allowing women to testify about alleged sexual assaults committed by Weinstein that were not part of the charges against him. Weinstein was also sentenced in Los Angeles in February of last year to 16 years in prison after he was convicted of rape and that conviction still stands. The New York court has ruled a new trial must take place. The NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit tonight. The Chicago Bears have the first pick and are widely expected to select University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams. Quarterbacks are also expected to be taken by the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots with the second and third picks. The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers round out the teams drafting in the top five picks.