Woonsocket Radio News Room

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

 

 

§  Shekarchi introduces legislation to ease zoning for emergency shelter units
Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) introduced legislation (2025-H 5100) to enable cities and towns to allow temporary emergency housing structures for people experiencing homelessness during severe weather or other disasters.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Solomon bill would pave way for foreign-trained doctors to practice medicine
Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) has introduced legislation (2025-H 5108) that would allow internationally trained physicians to practice at health care facilities in rural and underserved communities and would provide a mentorship alternative to the residency requirement. It would also create pathways to licensure and allow them to apply for a full, unrestricted license to practice medicine.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Corvese bill would bar auto insurers from using ZIP codes to set premiums
Rep. Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence) has introduced legislation to prohibit auto insurers from using ZIP codes as a factor in determining their customers’ rates. The legislation (2025-H 5104) would halt an inequitable practice that can be discriminatory and leads to higher insurance premiums for many of those who can least afford them.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Potter, Ujifusa bill aims to reduce prior authorization requirements

Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston) and Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) have introduced legislation (2025-H 5120, 2025-S 0053) to prohibit health insurers from requiring prior authorization for treatment and services ordered by a patient’s primary care provider (PCP). The legislation is meant to help patients access the care they need in a timely manner while also decreasing a significant administrative burden on PCPs so they can focus on patient care.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate confirms Turco as Life Science Hub CEO

The Senate voted unanimously to confirm Mark Turco as the first CEO of Rhode Island’s new Life Science Hub Tuesday. Turco, a 25-year industry veteran, will oversee the agency’s strategy to develop Rhode Island as a regional leader in the life science industry.

 

§  Senate committees meet to review response to homelessness

The Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government met with the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight to review the Department of Housing’s response to the state’s homelessness crisis. The panels also heard a status update on the Echo Village shelter project.

Click here to watch committee meeting.

 

§  Commission celebrates life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King

The Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission held its annual celebration of the life of the great civil rights leader. The official holiday commemoration included remarks by commission members, state and religious leaders, several musical presentations, and a number of awards. Rep. Nathan W. Biah (D-Dist. 3, Providence), who chairs the MLK State Holiday Commission, served as master of ceremonies.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Alzate and Diaz condemn President Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship

Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) and Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) condemned President Donald Trump’s recent executive order ending birthright citizenship. Both legislators stand behind Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and his decision to pursue a lawsuit to stop the executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship in the United States.

Click here to see Alzate release

Click here to see Diaz release                                                       

President Trump is calling April 2nd America's "liberation day." Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said that's the day his tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China go into effect. He said Americans will see an economic boom after the tariffs.        Israel says its forces will permanently occupy parts of Gaza unless Hamas releases the remaining hostages. This comes after Israel broke a nearly two-month ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group earlier this week. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have reportedly killed almost 600 people in Gaza.        The President appears to be open to the U.S. becoming a member of the British Commonwealth. On Truth Social this morning, President Trump shared a link to a report from the "Sun" about King Charles the Third preparing a "secret offer" involving the U.S. becoming an associate member of the international organization. In his post, Trump said, "I love King Charles. Sounds good to me!"        Congressman Gerry [[ Jerry ]] Connolly is calling for an investigation into Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Connolly, a ranking member on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, said it was suspicious that Lutnick recently urged Americans to buy Tesla stock. Connolly said it's "the latest example of the Trump Administration using taxpayer resources to enrich the President's inner circle."        Boeing has won a multi-billion dollar contract to build F-47 fighter jets. On Friday, President Trump announced the Next Generation Air Dominance program, also known as the F-47 fighter jet, will replace Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor. Boeing and Lockheed were competing for the contract to build the jets after both companies finalized designs for the aircraft last year.        There's a new idea to help bring down grocery costs. Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar wants the Trump Administration to allow the import of eggs from Mexico. He says, if you go across the border from his South Texas district, it costs about four-bucks for a carton of 30-eggs. If imports are allowed, he says it would solve the domestic supply issue, caused by the bird flu.       

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