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. McNamara, Miller bill would protect frozen embryos, regulate storage Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) introduced the Embryo […]
General Assembly
Posted inCity & Government
Highlights from this week at the Rhode Island General Assembly (June 13 – 17)
The Legislative Press Bureau at the Rhode Island General Assembly has provided a look at the highlights from this week at the Rhode Island General Assembly, June 13- 17, 2022. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease Assembly approves gun safety measures The General Assembly approved bills to ban large-capacity gun magazines (2022-H6614A, […]
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Rhode Island House approves $13.6B state budget proposal
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A $13.6 billion state budget passed the Rhode Island House late Thursday, sending it to the Senate for a vote. The House version of the budget for the 2023 fiscal year accelerates phasing out the car tax, eliminating what would have been the final year of the tax next year at […]
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Ruggiero broadband proposal included in state budget bill
STATE HOUSE – The budget bill approved by the House of Representatives today includes an initiative proposed by House Innovation, Internet & Technology Committee Chairwoman Deborah Ruggiero to establish a strategic plan to access federal dollars for broadband infrastructure projects for municipalities, public housing, and businesses. The budget bill (2022-H 7123Aaa), which is expected to be […]
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Highlights from this week at the Rhode Island General Assembly
Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the Rhode Island General Assembly this week. This recap was put together by the Rhode Island General Assembly Legislative Press Bureau. For more information on any of these items visit www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease Legislature OKs bill for mail ballot signature review, certification process The General Assembly […]
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House OKs Carson bill to support environmental justice in implementation of Act on Climate
STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson to help ensure the implementation of environmental justice provisions of the Act on Climate, the landmark environmental legislation she sponsored last year. The legislation (2022-H 7611A), which now goes to the Senate, adds an environmental justice advocate to the membership of […]
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Rhode Island lawmakers revise bill to legalize recreational marijuana
Rhode Island lawmakers unveiled changes Tuesday to a bill to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana, revisions that aim to ensure the legislation passes the state’s General Assembly. The amended bill was released Tuesday in advance of committee votes scheduled for Wednesday. Both the House and Senate are expected to vote next week. The bill now […]
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Senate approves Let RI Vote Act
STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved the Let RI Vote Act, legislation sponsored by Sen. Dawn Euer to improve access and opportunities to vote in Rhode Island. The legislation (2022-S 2007A) expands voter access while ensuring the integrity of Rhode Island elections. To accomplish these goals, the bill makes permanent several elections provisions put […]
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House OKs Rep. Carson’s bill to put specific allergy warnings on restaurant menus, enhance enforcement
STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by Representative Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) requiring more specific allergy warnings on the menus of all food-service establishments. The legislation (2022-H 7399), which would take effect Jan. 1, would require all food service establishments to include on their menus a warning, in bold […]
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Island reps., Innovate Newport, to host Aquidneck Island Earth Week wrap-up party
Aquidneck Island Earth Week organizers, Representatives Lauren H. Carson, Terri Cortvriend, Deborah Ruggiero and Michelle E. McGaw, along with Innovate Newport, are hosting an event to celebrate the completion of the third annual Aquidneck Island Earth Week. The event is scheduled for May 6, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the office of Innovate Newport, 513 […]
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Opinion – Sen. DiPalma, Rep. Casimiro: To ensure quality of care, rate reviews are needed across human services
Imagine worrying about an elderly parent who is receiving far less care than their condition requires. Imagine worrying about a child or family member with an addiction problem because the support services they rely upon to survive are unavailable. And imagine the anxiety and fear of parents with children who have disabilities and who are […]
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Aquidneck Island Climate Caucus to meet virtually Sunday, marking the first anniversary of Act on Climate
Sunday is the first anniversary of the signing of Rhode Island’s landmark Act on Climate, and the Aquidneck Island Climate Caucus, led by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Rep. Terri Cortvriend, will mark the occasion with a discussion on decarbonizing buildings. The virtual event, titled “How can Rhode Island set a path for decarbonizing our buildings?,” […]
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Opinion: 2022 Legislative Session an opportunity for transformational change
As the Rhode Island Senate convenes this month, I plan for us to embark upon a transformational session for our state. The federal relief funds distributed to Rhode Island offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinvest in our state and its people. Universal Pre-K The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing learning gaps. Our children – […]
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Rhode Island Legislators return to State House on Tuesday
The House and the Senate will return to session Tuesday at the State House to finish up several matters from the 2021 session and begin the 2022 session. Both the House and the Senate are scheduled to meet Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. in their respective chambers on the second floor of the State House. […]
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Sen. DiPalma and Rep. Cortvriend’s legislation that protects families with parents that have disabilities passes General Assembly
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) and Rep. Terri Cortvriend’s (Dist. 72, Portsmouth Middletown) legislation (2021-S 0056 / 2021-H 5394) that precludes the disability of a parent from serving as a basis for denial or restriction in matters involving a child’s welfare, foster care, family law, guardianship and adoption was passed by […]
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House passes Edwards bill that would require single-user toilets in public places to be non-gender specific
The House of Representatives today approved legislation introduced by Majority Floor Manager John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth), that would make single-user restrooms in public places non-gender specific. The bill (2021-H 5741) would amend the state building code to require that any single-user toilet facility in a public building or place of public accommodation be […]
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Rep. Cortvriend’s bill that protects disabled parents’ rights moves forward in General Assembly
With a House vote in support last week, legislation sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend to protect disabled parents’ rights is moving toward General Assembly passage this year. The legislation precludes the disability of a parent from serving as a basis for denial or restriction in matters involving a child’s welfare, foster care, family law, guardianship […]
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Representative Ruggiero sponsors bill for 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030
Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) is sponsoring legislation to require that 100 percent of Rhode Island’s electricity sold at retail comes from renewable sources by 2030. “As the Ocean State, Rhode Island must make a bold commitment to clean energy to slow the effects of global warming and the rising sea levels that […]
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Legislation to ban disposable plastic checkout bags in Rhode Island will be heard this afternoon
The House Environment and Natural Resources Committee will meet todayw for hearings on numerous bills, including the legislation to ban disposable plastic checkout bags. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the House Lounge. It will be livestreamed by Capitol Television at http://rilegislature.gov/CapTV/Pages/default.aspx. Among the bills to be heard are: 2021-H 5358 — Sponsored by Rep. Carol […]