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                                                       

At least 42 people have been killed in severe storms that struck parts of the South and Midwest over the weekend. Many states woke up this morning to damage left behind by wildfires, rain, tornadoes and dust storms. The National Weather Service says at least 34 of the storms seen on Saturday were tornadoes with states like Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana all being impacted.        President Trump is saying some of the pardons issued by former President Biden are invalid. In a Truth Social post early Monday, Trump said he was declaring Biden's pardons for members of the January 6th House select committee "void, vacant, and of no further force or effect, because of the fact that they were done by autopen." He also alleged Biden had no knowledge about the pardons.        Federal authorities say the Rhode Island doctor who was deported to Lebanon had what are described as "sympathetic" photos of Iran's supreme leader on her phone. Doctor Rasha Alawieh was initially detained Thursday when she arrived at Logan International Airport in Boston after a two-week visit with her family in Lebanon. A federal court hearing on her status scheduled for this morning was continued until next week to give her attorney additional time to prepare.        The White House is dyeing the North Lawn fountain green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The fountain could be seen with its bright emerald green water on Monday. The tradition began in 2009 by the Obamas.        New evidence in the death of Gene Hackman is changing the timeline of the actor and his wife's final days. The pair died of natural causes and were discovered February 26th. New cell phone records show Betsy Hackman made several calls to a medical center on February 12th, pushing her estimated deceased date forward.        Rory Mcllroy [[ mack-el-roy ]] is the winner of The Players Championship in Florida. Mcllroy defeated JJ Spaun this morning in a three-hole playoff to win his second Players title. Spaun was able to tie Mcllroy yesterday during the final round at 12-under-par to force the playoff today.       

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