Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

 

 

State House view from the southThis 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

 

 

 

 

 

§  Senate passes President Ruggerio’s unpaid wages bill

 

The Senate passed legislation (2017-S-0192A) sponsored by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) that would establish a procedure for employees to secure liens against employers for unpaid wages. Contested claims would be decided by the Superior Court. Similar legislation (2017-H 5847) has been introduced in the House by Rep. Shelby Maldonado (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls).

 

Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  House OKs Shekarchi bill to create course for parents of teens in driver’s ed
 The House approved legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) to establish a free educational course for parents of students in driver’s education classes. Under the bill (2017-H 5457A), the course would be available online and at various times and locations around the state, and parental participation would be a requirement for the issuance of a graduated license for a driver under 18, unless a parent has taken the course for a sibling within five years. Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, Johnston, North Providence) is sponsoring similar legislation (2017-S 0102) in the Senate.
 Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate approves requirement for defibrillators in large public gathering spots
The Senate approved legislation (2017-S 0777) sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) to require an automated external defibrillator and a qualified person to administer it at all public places that hold 300 or more people.
 Click here to see news release.

 

§  House approves bill for flooding and sea rise training for planning boards
The House approved legislation (2017-H 5042aa) sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) requiring all members of municipal planning boards or commissions in Rhode Island to participate in a free two-hour training program on the effects of rising sea levels and the effects of development in flood plains.

 

Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Fogarty bill creating DEM freshwater overseer gets Senate nod
 The Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Paul W. Fogarty (D-Dist. 23, Glocester, Burrillville, North Smithfield) to create a new position within the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to coordinate the stewardship of freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in Rhode Island. Rep. Cale P. Keable (D-Dist. 47, Burrillville, Glocester) is sponsoring the legislation (2017-H 5174) in the House.
 Click here to see news release.

 

§  House passes McNamara bill to ban advertising of unhealthy foods in school
The House passed legislation (2017-H 5580) sponsored by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) that would prohibit the advertising of unhealthy food and beverage products in schools, particularly those that may not be sold on the school campus during the school day, since they do not meet minimum federal governmental nutrition standards. Similar legislation (2017-S 0304) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham).
 Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Sen. Lynch Prata’s Gaspee Days license plate bill passes Senate

 

Sen. Erin Lynch Prata’s (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) legislation (2017-S 0363A) to create a special fundraising license plate to benefit the Gaspee Days Committee passed the Senate. The plate would include a $40 surcharge for those individuals ordering them, with $20 of that going to the Gaspee Days Committee and the other $20 going to the state’s general fund. Similar legislation (2017-H 5424) has been introduced in the House by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston).

 

Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Rep. Morin bill would create student loan forgiveness program
The House Finance Committee heard legislation (2017-H 5169) introduced by Rep. Michael Morin (D-Dist. 49, Woonsocket) that would establish the “Get on Your Feet” student loan forgiveness program targeted at helping middle-income students afford the high cost of college by providing a grace period for the first two years after graduation. For those who meet the requirements, the state would pay the difference between what the federal government covers and the individual’s total loan payment.
 Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Rep. Vella-Wilkinson wants panel to study military sexual trauma
Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) has introduced legislation (2017-H 6218) that would create a five-member special legislative study commission whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations on potential policy, training, and/or preventative measures involving occurrences of military sexual trauma and harassment in the Rhode Island National Guard.
 Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

§  Rep. Phillips bill would mandate 15 percent markup on cigarette retail price
Rep. Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland) has introduced legislation (2017-H 5506) that would amend the existing Unfair Sales Practices law, which currently mandates a 6-percent markup on all retail costs, by requiring a 15-percent markup in the sale of cigarettes. Similar legislation (2017-S 0470) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Frank S. Lombardo III (D-Dist. 25, Johnston).
 Click here to see news release.

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

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For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.

 

Former President Trump is complaining that he can't be on the campaign trail because of what he calls a ridiculous trial in New York City. Speaking right after the 12 jurors were selected on Thursday, Trump said the "whole world is watching this scam" and went on to read news articles criticizing the case. The judge hopes to have the six alternates selected by Friday.        House Speaker Mike Johnson needs the help of Democrats to get his foreign aid package across the finish line. Johnson is moving forward with a plan to vote on separate bills to send military assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific, as well as a bill that includes border security measures. However, several conservatives quickly came out against the plan, arguing border policy changes should be directly tied to any additional funding for Ukraine.        The United States plans to veto a Palestinian bid to be recognized as a full member of the United Nations. The State Department calls the Palestinian Authority's effort to gain member status premature. The department said the Security Council's 15 members do not fully agree that the Palestinian Authority met the membership criteria, including standing questions about who governs the Gaza Strip.       The FBI is concerned about threats to Jewish communities in the U.S. as Passover approaches. FBI Director Christopher Wray spoke during an event on Wednesday hosted by a Jewish community nonprofit safety and training organization called Secure Community Network. Wray told the group of security officials the FBI looks for "lone actors" who might target high profile events or religious locations for violence.        Attorneys for Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger filed their client's alibi defense just ahead of the deadline. The 29-year-old Kohberger is accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in November of 2022, and has pleaded not guilty. Late Wednesday, Kohberger's lawyers submitted a ten-page filing that claimed he was out driving in the early morning hours of November 13th, "as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars."        Allman Brothers Band singer-guitarist Dickey Betts has died at the age of 80. They said Betts passed away peacefully Thursday at his home in Osprey, Florida surrounded by his family. Betts wrote and sung on the Allman Brothers Band hit "Ramblin' Man" which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.        

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