2018 Budget Bill Approved, Renewable Energy Legislation Passed: This Week at the State House
Saturday, June 17, 2017
The 2018 budget bill was approved by the House Finance Committee, renewable energy legislation is passed and more. This Week at the State House.
House Finance Committee approves 2018 budget bill
The House Finance Committee approved a $9.2 billion 2018 state budget that eliminates the $134 million shortfall that opened up in May and funds the first year of a six-year phase-out of the car tax, raises the minimum wage, restores free bus fares for the elderly and disabled, includes a pilot program to provide two years of free tuition at CCRI and once again does not include any broad-based tax increases. The bill, sponsored by Finance Committee Chairman Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown), will go to the full House Thursday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTClick here to see news release.
General Assembly OKs bill making deadlines for school safety assessments
The General Assembly has passed legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) that would establish time guidelines for the assessment of school building safety, along with reports to the governor, speaker of the House and president of the Senate.
Click here to see news release.
General Assembly passes renewable energy legislation
The General Assembly has passed legislation promoting renewable energy efforts. The first bill, introduced by Sen. William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) and Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown), would expand the successful Renewable Energy Growth Program with an additional 400 MW of renewable energy over 10 years. The second bill, introduced by Sen. Erin Lynch Prata (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) and Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport), would require the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources to create rules and regulations to formulate a statewide solar energy permit application.
Click here to see renewable energy release.
Click here to see solar permit release.
Senate OKs Coyne’s comprehensive human trafficking bill
The Senate passed the Uniform Act on Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking, sponsored by Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence), to bring Rhode Island’s human trafficking laws in line with national standards to prevent perpetrators from falling through the cracks. It enacts a three-prong approach of strong penalties, protecting and assisting victims and improved public awareness and planning. It will now go to the House, where companion legislation has been introduced by Rep. Shelby Maldonado (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls).
Click here to see news release.
Senate passes Goodwin bill raising penalties for DUI with kids in the vehicle
Those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child under 13 in the vehicle would face a felony charge with stiffer penalties under legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) and passed by the Senate. The bill now heads to the House, where Rep. Gregory J. Costantino (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Johnston, Smithfield) is sponsoring companion legislation.
Click here to see news release.
Senate passes bill enacting ACA provisions at state level
The Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) to enact the provisions of the Affordable Care Act in state law to protect consumers and the Rhode Island health insurance market from changes at the federal level should Congress repeal or weaken the ACA. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) is sponsoring companion legislation.
Click here to see news release.
House passes Carson bill to notify, assist businesses facing road construction
The Department of Transportation will need to coordinate with the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to help small businesses that will be affected by RhodeWorks construction projects under a bill sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) and approved by the House. The legislation is a response to the Broadway Streetscape Improvement Project in Newport, a $5.8 million project that has restricted parking, temporarily rendered a section of the busy road one-way and resulted in significantly less traffic to local businesses.
Click here to see news release.
Senate OKs Lombardi bill to make 38 Studios records public
The Senate has passed legislation introduced by Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) that would provide for the release of certain records pertaining to the investigation of 38 Studios, LLC. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, which has passed similar legislation sponsored by Rep. Charlene M. Lima (D-Dist. 14, Cranston, Providence).
Click here to see news release.
House passes Casimiro bill to create study commission on high school start times
Rep. Julie A. Casimiro’s legislation creating a 15-member legislative commission to study all aspects involved in changing the start time of Rhode Island’s public high schools passed the House of Representatives. The commission will examine the fiscal impact on school districts, relevant health and educational issues, and the coordination of statewide afterschool activities in regards to changing public high school start times.
Click here to see news release.
House OKs Canario bill to create a study commission on marijuana legalization
The House of Representatives has passed legislation introduced by Rep. Dennis M. Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) that would create a 19-member special joint legislative commission to study the effects of legalizing recreational marijuana in Rhode Island. Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) has sponsored companion legislation in the Senate.
Click here to see news release.
Related Slideshow: FY18 House Finance Budget
Related Articles
- Overtime Pay Law, Surprise Medical Billing: This Week at the State House
- Rep. Walsh Says Drinking is Rampant at RI State House
- Pell Bridge, Spending Reduction Tools: This Week at the State House
- Ruggerio Elected Senate President, Edwards Bill Passed: This Week at the State House
- RI State House Power Shift - 10 Most Powerful
- UHIP Review, Pushing Back Against Trump’s Border Wall: This Week at the State House
- Mental Health Legislation, Immigration Legislation: This Week at the State House
- State of the State Address & Budget Proposal: This Week at the State House
- Student Loan Forgiveness, Millitary Pensions Exempt: This Week at the State House
- Prison & Probation Reform Legislation and More: This Week at the State House
- School Safety Assessment Deadlines, Chamber of Commerce Lunch: This Week at the State House
- Felag Bill, Highway Surveillance & More: This Week at the State House
- Tribute to Former Senator Walaska, Solomon Bill: This Week at the State House
- Unpaid Wages Bill Passed, Class for Parents of Teen Drivers Approved: This Week at the State House
- Sunscreen Allowed in Schools, Renewable Energy Growth Progam Expanded: This Week at the State House
- Children Under 18 Allowed in Voting Booth, RI 9 Beirut Marines Day: This Week at the State House
- Fachons Lead “Right to Try” Legislative Fight at RI State House
- Mattiello’s Car Tax Bill & Ban on Conversion Therapy: This Week at the State House
- Pilot Program for Homeless Passes, Grandparents Bill Passed: This Week at the The State House
- Mental Health Measures Approved & Hearing on Gun Bills: This Week at the State House
- The Battle Over Marijuana Heats Up at RI State House
- The Right to Try Bill & Paid Sick Leave Legislation: This Week at the State House
- Workers Co-Op Legislation and Constitutional Reforms Introduced: This Week at the State House
- Opponents of RIPTA Fare Hikes to Rally at RI State House Wednesday Afternoon
- E-Cigarettes, Renewable Energy and More: This Week at the State House