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

 

§  General Assembly approves Warwick school budget commission bill
The General Assembly passed legislation (2025-H 5252A, 2025-S 0242) introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) that allows the city of Warwick to create a five-member commission to oversee the operations of Warwick Public Schools and present a preliminary analysis of the school district’s financial situation. The measure now moves to the governor’s office.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  House passes bill protecting kids’ access to COVID-19 vaccine at pharmacies
The House approved legislation (2025-H 5427A) sponsored by Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) on behalf of the Department of Health to ensure that pharmacists can continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines to children, regardless of any changes at the federal level. The bill adds the COVID-19 vaccine to the state law allowing pharmacists to administer the flu vaccine to children, and changes the minimum age of the children eligible to receive both vaccines at a pharmacy from age 9 to age 3. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, Providence, Pawtucket) is sponsoring its companion (2025-S 0699).
Click here to see news release.

 

§  House OKs Phillips bill mandating 30 days between driver’s permit and license
The House of Representatives passed legislation (2025-H 5513) introduced by Rep. Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland) that would implement a 30-day waiting period following the issuance of a learner’s permit before taking a road test in order to obtain a full license for anyone over the age of 18. The measure now moves to the Senate, where similar legislation (2025-S 0624) has been introduced by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton).
Click here to see news release.

 

  • House OKs O’Brien bill to require Narcan training for lifeguards, park rangers

The House approved Rep. William W. O’Brien’s (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) legislation (2025-H 5273A) that would require all full-time lifeguards, park and forest rangers who work at any public beach or facility to be trained in administering opioid antagonists, such as Narcan.  The bill would also require all state and municipal public beaches or facilities that employ lifeguards, park and forest rangers to keep available a minimum of four doses of opioid antagonist. The legislation now heads to the Senate, where Senate Majority Whip David P. Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Lincoln) has introduced the legislation (2025-S 0343).

Click here to see news release.

 

  • House passes Boylan bill to waive VIN check fees for veterans, military members
    The House voted to approve a bill (2025-H 5081) from Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) to waive the fee for vehicle identification number (VIN) inspections for veterans and active-duty military personnel. The bill now heads to the Senate, where Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) has introduced companion legislation (2025-S 0075).

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Urso bill would extend workplace protections to those experiencing menopause
    Sen. Lori Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) has introduced legislation (2025-S 0361) to update fair employment practices to support women experiencing menopause. Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) plans to introduce companion legislation in the House.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Legislators introduce bills to strengthen shoreline access
    Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) and Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) have introduced a pair of bills to protect Rhode Islanders’ access to the shoreline by allowing towns to preserve recreation easements on abandoned roads (2025-S 0349, 2025-H 5960) and protecting parking near these rights of way (2025-S 0716, 2025-H 6093).

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Bill would encourage townhomes as affordable homeownership option
    Sen. Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence) and Rep. June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol) have introduced legislation (2025-S 0504, 2025-H 5798) to encourage the development of attached single-family homes, such as townhomes, which can offer more affordable opportunities in Rhode Island’s housing market.
    Click here to see news release.

 

  • Sponsors, advocates host Multilingual Education Advocacy Day
    Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), Sen. Lammis J. Vargas (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) and Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) were joined by the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island (CMRI) for the seventh annual Multilingual Education Advocacy Day to call for the passage of legislation (2025-S 0785, 2025-H 5744 and 2025-S 0457, 2025-H 5982) to invest in multilingual education in Rhode Island.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • 204th Greek Independence Day celebration held at State House

Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich) hosted a celebration of Greek Independence Day at the State House on March 25, bringing together federal and state leaders, mayors and members of all three Hellenic communities to recognize the 204th anniversary of Greece’s independence and the Feast of the Annunciation. Resolutions (2025-S 0880, 2025-H 6130) honoring Greek Independence Day, sponsored by Senator Raptakis and Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), passed in both the Senate and House. Legislation (2025-S 0155) sponsored by Senator Raptakis that would create a Rhode Island Greek Heritage license plate in conjunction with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) was also approved by the Senate.

Click here to see news release.

Republican Randy Fine is being projected as the winner in Florida's 6th Congressional District. He defeated Democrat Josh Weil in the special House election for the seat vacated by former representative Michael Waltz. The win builds on the Republican's slim majority in the U.S. House.        Cory Booker has broken the record for the longest Senate speech ever, now going over 25 hours and counting. The New Jersey Democrat started his marathon speech at seven o'clock Eastern time last night in protest of the Trump Administration. Booker is protesting President Trump's tariffs, steps Trump is taking to dismantle the Department of Education, and other polices, saying the nation is in crisis.        President Trump is calling Wednesday America's "Liberation Day," and will hold an event in the Rose Garden to celebrate. That's when new tariffs are expected to take effect against Canada, Mexico, China and the European Union. The White House said the event dubbed "Make America Wealthy Again" will take place at 4 p.m. Eastern time. Trump is expecting five-trillion dollars in U.S. investments after his tariffs take effect.        The Justice Department will seek the death penalty for accused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday that she has ordered federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Mangione allegedly shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York City sidewalk in December. Bondi called the killing a "premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America."        Actor Dave Coulier says he's cancer free after being diagnosed last winter. Coulier was diagnosed with Stage-Three non-Hodgkin lymphoma in November of 2024. Actress Candace Cameron Bure, who was a co-star with Coulier on the sitcom "Full House," posted on social media with him and his wife Melissa that he was cancer free.        The fate of the so-called "Tush Push" play will be decided by NFL owners at a later date. Multiple reports say team owners decided to table talk about the play made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles until May. A proposal about changes to playoff seeding was also shelved for now.       

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