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

 

 

§  Budget bill advances
The 2025 state budget bill (2024-H 7225A), which was approved by the House Finance Committee May 31, is slated to come before the House for consideration June 7. The $13.947 billion budget directs additional funding toward education and children, raises Medicaid reimbursement rates and includes a $120 million affordable housing bond. The budget is $60 million less than it is in the current fiscal year, reflecting an end in federal pandemic aid. Following House passage, the bill must also pass the Senate before being sent to the governor.
Click here to see news release.

§  Assembly approves bill requiring safe storage of firearms
The General Assembly has approved legislation (2024-S 2202aa, 2024-H 7373A) sponsored by Rep. Justine A. Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) and Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) to require safe storage of firearms in Rhode Island. The legislation now heads to Gov. Daniel McKee, who supports the bill.
Click here to see news release.

  • General Assembly OKs LEOBOR reform legislation

The General Assembly passed the Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process, Accountability and Transparency Act (2024-H 7263Aaa, 2024-S 2096Aaa) which will bring significant and long-overdue reforms to the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR).  The bills were introduced by Deputy Speaker Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence) and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence).  The legislation now heads to the governor’s office.

Click here to see news release

 

  • Assembly passes Ruggerio, O’Brien bill to stiffen penalties for dog abuse

The General Assembly passed legislation (2024-S 2744, 2024-H 8095) sponsored by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) and Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) that would increase the penalty for violations of the care of dogs statute to a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum fine of $1,000 per violation. The care of dogs statute includes regulations on tethering dogs, leaving them outside and providing proper care and nutrition. The legislation now heads to the governor for consideration.

Click here to see news release

 

  • Assembly OKs Casimiro, Ciccone bill protecting workers’ health coverage

The General Assembly passed legislation (2024-H 7795B, 2024-S 2901B) sponsored by Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) and Sen. Frank A. Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston) that prohibits contractors and subcontractors from paying employees the cash equivalent of any applicable health care benefit in lieu of actually purchasing the health care benefit. The legislation now heads to the governor for consideration.

Click here to see news release

 

§  Assembly OKs bill banning noncompete clauses for nurse practitioners
The General Assembly has approved legislation (2024-S 2220, 2024-H 7696) sponsored by Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) and Rep. June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol) to prohibit noncompete clauses in employment contracts for nurse practitioners. The legislation, which now goes to the governor’s desk, gives nurse practitioners a protection that physicians have and is intended to address a factor contributing to the state’s shortage of primary care providers.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  General Assembly OKs bill to create ‘Blue Envelope Program’
The General Assembly approved legislation from Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) and Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) to create a voluntary “Blue Envelope Program” for drivers with autism to improve communication between them and law enforcement during traffic stops. The legislation (2024-H 7040A, 2024-S 2481A) now heads to the governor’s desk.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Assembly approves bill to educate buyers of shoreline property of right to access
The General Assembly has approved legislation from Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) to improve disclosure of shoreline access rights and related conditions during the sale of oceanfront property. The legislation (2024-S 2185A, 2024-H 7376A) now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  General Assembly approves e-bike bill
The General Assembly voted to approve legislation from Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) and Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) to expand the legal use of electric bicycles in Rhode Island by modernizing their classification and regulation. The legislation (2024-H 7713A, 2024-S 2829A) now heads to the governor’s desk.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Assembly approves consumer protection bill for solar industry
The General Assembly approved legislation sponsored by House Deputy Majority Whip Mia A. Ackerman and Sen. Jacob Bissaillon to protect consumers and ensure a healthy solar industry by regulating businesses selling home solar systems. The legislation (2024-H 7603A, 2024-S 2801Aaa) now goes to the governor’s desk for his consideration.

Click here to see news release.

 

 

Southern California is getting hit with more rain. The region has been getting drenched this week by a storm system that has caused some areas to be evacuated. The chance for some light rain is expected to continue through tonight and into the early hours of tomorrow morning before giving way to some sunshine. Some homes were buried in debris after heavy rainfall triggered mudslides in the mountain town of Wrightwood, about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles.        Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with President Trump this weekend. The Ukrainian leader said the Florida meeting will discuss efforts to end the nearly four-year war with Russia. He told reporters the U.S. and Ukraine will look to "finalize as much as we can." Zelensky added that a 20-point peace plan is "90-percent ready."        President Trump says the U.S. launched "powerful and deadly" strikes on ISIS terrorists in Nigeria yesterday. He said the strikes were directed at terrorists in the northern part of the country who he has accused of killing Christians. U.S and Nigerian officials confirmed the two countries worked together on the strikes. The Pentagon released video of at least one missile being launched from a warship.        The 2026 numerals that will welcome in the new year in Times Square are being tested today. Just days before New Year's Eve, the giant 2026 numerals are being lit up. They're seven feet tall and are illuminated by 589 L-E-D lights. And for the first time, they offer an array of colors and patterns. Each light puck, as they're called, is programmable so it can match the designs on the New Year's Eve ball.        With Christmas over, the season of returns begin. The National Retail Federation estimates nearly 15-percent of all purchased holiday items will be returned this year. And that's costing consumers. Seventy-two percent of retailers will be hitting folks with charges for returns -- up from 66-percent last year.        The University of Michigan is hiring Kyle Whittingham to become its next football coach. ESPN reports Whittingham will sign a five-year deal to assume the position after stepping down from the same role at Utah earlier this month. This comes after Michigan fired Sherrone Moore following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and subsequent criminal charges.       

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