Last Week in the General Assembly

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly last week – the final week of the 2014 legislative session. 

Governor signs Fiscal Year 2014 budget, trailer bill into law
The $8.2 billion 2014 state budget bill (2013-H 5127Aaa), sponsored by House Finance Committee Chairman Helio Melo (D-Dist. 64, East Providence), has become law with the governor’s signature. The budget includes no tax or fee increases, contains numerous economic development initiatives, fully funds the implementation of the school funding formula, adds funding to higher education and provides additional funding for cities and towns. The trailer bill amending the budget calls for a 10-cent toll on theSakonnet River Bridge to preserve the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority’s ability to enact a toll in the future. The toll cap will last until April 2014, which gives lawmakers time to study funding alternatives to maintain Rhode Island’s infrastructure. The trailer legislation also eliminates the freeze on the Claiborne Pell Bridge toll in order to protect RITBA’s bond obligations. RITBA has stated that it will not raise the toll while lawmakers continue to study alternatives.
Click here to see news release.

Assembly passes economic development reform package
The General Assembly has approved a package of bills aimed at improving the way the state strategizes about economic development. The four pieces of legislation represent a blend of highlights from separate packages introduced by each chamber’s leadership earlier this year. The bills take a number of measures in order to improve the way the state looks at economic development, including the creation of the Executive Office of Commerce, the overhaul of the Economic Development Corporation, the development and continual renewal of a long-term economic plan for the state, and the establishment of the Council of Economic Advisors, which will advise the state through the collection, publishing and analysis of economic data.
Click here to see news release.

Legislature passes three gun safety bills
The General Assembly has approved three bills dealing with gun violations and gun safety. One bill (2013-H 5992A, 2013-S 0862B) creates a 20-member task force to weigh the rights of individuals with behavioral problems to own firearms and to consider the state’s participation in the National Instant Criminal Background Check system. Another set of companion bills (2013-H 5991A, 2013-S 0860A) will increase the criminal penalties for carrying a stolen firearm while committing a crime of violence. A third set of bills (2013-S 0455A, 2013-H 5286Aaa) sets a five-year prison sentence for anyone who knowingly receives, transports or possesses a firearm that has its identifying marks altered or obliterated.
Click here to see TASK FORCE news release.
Click here to see STOLEN GUNS news release.
Click here to see ALTERED ID news release.

Legislators approve TDI expansion to cover caregivers
The General Assembly passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Gayle L. Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence) and Rep. Elaine A. Coderre (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket) to expand temporary disability insurance (TDI) to employees who must take time out of work to care for a family member or bond with a new child in their home. The bills (2013-H 5889Aaa, 2013-S 0231B), which allow for up to four weeks paid leave, are meant to ease the pressure on working families while also helping Rhode Island companies compete with larger companies or companies from other states that offer paid leave for new parents or for those experiencing health problems.
Click here to see news release.

Biweekly pay legislation receives approval from legislature
The General Assembly approved legislation to allow Rhode Island businesses to pay employees on a biweekly basis if their average payroll exceeds 200 percent of minimum wage. The legislation (2013-S 980, 2013-H 6065B) looks to address businesses’ concerns that Rhode Island’s current law requiring weekly paychecks is burdensome, but also protects the needs of workers living paycheck-to-paycheck. 
Click here to see news release.

Assembly creates sales tax study commission
The General Assembly has passed legislation (2013-H 5365B, 2013-S 0246A) establishing a commission to study the Rhode Island sales tax, including, but not limited to, the possibility of repealing the tax. The 13-member commission established by the legislation is expected to report back to the legislature byFebruary 6, 2014, with findings and recommendations. Sponsors of the legislation were Rep. Jan P. Malik (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren) and Sen. Roger A. Picard (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland).
Click here to see news release.

Reforms OK’d to improve efficiency, quality of health care
Legislation has been approved to reform health care in Rhode Island to control costs for families and businesses while increasing the quality of care. The bills aim to innovate and modernize Rhode Island’s health care system and continually evaluate practices and laws to help ensure efficiency and effectiveness. The Senate bill (2013-S 0540Aaa) was sponsored by Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28,Cranston, Providence); the House bill (2013-H 6283) was introduced by Rep. Cale P. Keable (D-Dist. 47, Burrillville, Glocester).
Click here to see news release.

Package of bills adopted to assist veterans, their families
The General Assembly adopted a package of legislation that will assist veterans with their reintegration into society, increase their access to educational opportunities and help them and their families obtain essential medical and human service benefits. Among the bills were creation of a Veterans’ Services Strategic Plan and 13-member advisory committee to develop, maintain and update a five-year service plan. Also passed was legislation to establish veteran-friendly educational programs to allow service personnel to receive credit for military training and coursework. Another bill will make it easier for veterans and their spouses to obtain certifications and licenses for professional services.
Click here to see news release. 

Governor signs changes to seatbelt law
Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee has signed legislation into law that allows failure to wear a seatbelt to remain a primary offense in Rhode Island and lowers the fine. The legislation (2013-H 5140A, 2013-S 0352Aaa), sponsored by Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence) and Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence), repeals the sunset provision on the seatbelt law, which was slated to expire on June 30, 2013. The new law also lowered the fine for failure to wear a seatbelt from $85 to $40.
Click here to see news release.

Bills OK’d to allow municipalities to buy streetlights
Legislation has been approved to allow cities and towns the option of purchasing and maintaining streetlights as a cost-control measure. Currently, streetlights are owned by the electric utility, which charges municipalities for the power as well as bulbs, fixtures and maintenance at a rate approved by the Public Utilities Commission. The House bill (2013-H 5935A) was sponsored by Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) and the Senate bill (2013-S 0836Aaa) was introduced by Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown).
Click here to see news release. 

For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/