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 passes bill to permanently allow outdoor dining

The General Assembly passed legislation (2024-H 7064A, 2024-S 2028A) sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett) and Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) that permanently allows outdoor dining at restaurants. Municipalities would have the power to regulate the scope of the dining areas. The legislation now heads to the governor.

Click here to see news release

 

§ House OKs Fellela bill imposing penalties for death from overmedication
The House of Representatives gave its approval to legislation (2024-H 7013A) introduced by Rep. Deborah A. Fellela (D-Dist. 43, Johnston) that would impose a probationary period of three years for any licensee found guilty of overprescribing with death resulting. A subsequent violation during the probationary period could result in a suspension or revocation of licensure. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Click here to see news release.

 

§ House, Senate oversight committees to delve into Washington Bridge crisis
A joint meeting of the House Committee on Oversight and the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight is planned for next week to address the ongoing crisis on the Washington Bridge, the causes of its failure, and plans for its future. The committee will meet Monday at 3 p.m. in Room 35 on the first floor of the State House.
Click here to see news release.

 

§ Legislators join opening of new Rhode Island Reconnect Center
Rep. Cherie L. Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket) and Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) joined Gov. Dan McKee and Rhode Island Postsecondary Commissioner Shannon Gilkey to open the new location of the RI Reconnect visitor center, a place for students and prospective students to receive support in breaking down barriers to pursuing their education and completing their degree. Reconnect has seen a surge in activity due to an $8 million investment passed by the General Assembly. 
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Rep. O’Brien introduces tax relief bill for seniors

Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) has introduced a bill which will grant senior citizens significant tax relief on pension and annuity income. The legislation (2024-H 7485) would allow a modification for all taxable pension and/or annuity income includible in federal adjusted gross income for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2025.

Click here to see news release

 

§  DiPalma and Serpa hold press conference highlighting APRA reform legislation

Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) and Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry) held a press conference to introduce legislation (2024-S 2256, 2024-H 7181) that would reform the Access to Public Records Act (APRA). Chairman DiPalma’s legislation has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee and Chairwoman Serpa’s bill has been referred to the House Committee on State Government and Elections. 

Click here to see news release

 

§ Groups rally for anti-gun violence legislation at State House

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, Rhode Island AFL-CIO, National Education Association Rhode Island, Moms Demand Action and other community organizations rallied at the State House in support of gun safety legislation and preventing gun violence. The coalition’s priorities are a secure storage bill (2024-H 7373, 2024-S 2202) sponsored by Rep. Justine A. Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) and Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) and an assault weapons ban (2024-H 7217) sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren) and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton).

 

§ AARP backs bills
AARP Rhode Island announced its legislative priorities for 2024, which include the Secure Choice Program (2024-H 7121, 2024-S 2045) sponsored by Rep. Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick, East Greenwich) and Sen. Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence) creating a voluntary retirement savings plan for individuals who do not have access through their employer; legislation to encourage construction of accessory dwelling units (2024-H 7062) sponsored by Rep. June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 69, Warren, Bristol) and Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly, South Kingstown); bills to eliminate the state tax on Social Security benefits (2024-S 2058, 2024-S 2158, 2024-S 2061) sponsored by Sen. Walter S. Felag (D-Dist. 10 Warren, Bristol, Tiverton), Sen. Mark P. McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick and Sen. Elaine J. Morgan (R-Dist. 34, Hopkinton, Charlestown, Exeter, Richmond, West Greenwich); and legislation to expand Temporary Caregiver Insurance (2024-S 2121, 2024-H 7171) sponsored by Sen. Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) and Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls).

 

§  DiMario named Legislator of the Year at Clean Water Legislative Summit

The Rhode Island Clean Water Association honored Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, North Kingstown, Narragansett, New Shoreham) as its 2024 Clean Water Legislator of the Year at the 2024 Clean Water Legislative Summit. The summit included remarks from Rhode Island’s federal delegation and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick).

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Economic Progress Institute hosts policy briefing on predatory lending

The Economic Progress Institute hosted a policy briefing on payday lending practices in Rhode Island for legislators, staffers and members of the public. The group was invited by Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls), who has introduced legislation (2024-H 7211, 2024-S2141) along with Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence) to close an exemption in state law that allows payday lenders to charge triple-digit interest rates.

Click here to see news release.

A key report shows wholesale inflation slowed last month. The July Producer Price Index shows a rise of zero-point-one percent. The PPI measures prices that businesses receive for goods and services. Economists had been expecting a slightly higher increase, according to a survey by the Wall Street Journal.        Over one-point-three million people tuned into Elon Musk's conversation with former President Trump on X last night. Some technical issues delayed the conversation, but the pair still spoke for over two hours. They discussed the attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania, immigration, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the threat of global warming, and more.        Voters are heading to the polls for primary elections in Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wisconsin today. In Minnesota, progressive Congresswoman Ilhan Omar will defend her seat against former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels. The contest comes after two other members of the so-called progressive "Squad," Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, lost their Democratic primaries this cycle.        Tropical Storm Ernesto isn't expected to hit the U.S. mainland as it heads up the Atlantic Ocean. Current forecasts show the storm will bring heavy rain and flooding to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands today. The National Hurricane Center says Ernesto will then head northward and into the Atlantic.        A former Colorado clerk is facing up to 22 years in prison for election tampering. Tina Peters was convicted yesterday and will be sentenced in October. Prosecutors argued she let an unauthorized person access Mesa County's voting equipment in 2021 and make a copy of hard drives, as well as pictures of passwords, and then tried to cover it up.        U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles will not have her appeal heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. On Sunday, the International Olympic Committee said it would take away her bronze medal because of a scoring error. Monday, USA Gymnastics said in a statement that it was notified that CAS rules don't allow for an arbitral award to be reconsidered.