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

 

 

§  Senate unveils bills to address health care accessibility, affordability
Senator Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, along with Senate leadership announced the introduction of a nine-bill package of legislation focused on addressing health care accessibility and affordability. The legislation would remove burdensome administrative requirements that present barriers to patient care, protect patients from crushing medical debt, and otherwise improve access and lower costs.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Legislators introduce right to repair bills
Several legislators have introduced a package of bills aimed at defending Rhode Islanders’ right to repair their own belongings. Rep. Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence) and Sen. Robert Britto (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) have introduced the Digital Electronics Right to Repair Act (2025-H 5246, 2025-S 0060) to allow owners and independent repair shops access to manuals, parts and tools necessary to repair electronic products. The Agricultural Equipment Right to Repair Act (2025-H 5159), sponsored by Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket), would enact similar requirements for electronics-enabled farm equipment. Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) and Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) are sponsoring similar legislation (2025-H 5017) for assistive technology devices, such as wheelchairs.

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Cotter, Ujifusa submit bill raising ‘circuit breaker’ tax credit 

Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth Bristol) and Rep. Megan Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton) have introduced legislation (2025-S 0027, 2025-H 5194) to provide relief to some of the state’s most vulnerable households by raising the eligibility limit and the maximum credit for the “circuit breaker” tax credit, which benefits low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Click here to see news release.

 

  • LaMountain bill would protect workers’ First Amendment rights in workplace
    Sen. Matthew L. LaMountain (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced legislation (2025-S 0126) that would protect the rights of employees in the workplace who refuse attendance at employer-sponsored meetings regarding political or religious matters, as well as refusing to listen to a political or religious speech.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • O’Brien bill would require lifeguards, park rangers to be trained in Narcan use

Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) has introduced legislation (2025-H 5273) that would require all lifeguards, park and forest rangers who work at any public beach or facility to be trained in administering opioid antagonists, such as Narcan. The bill would also require all state and municipal public beaches or facilities that employ lifeguards, park and forest rangers to keep available a minimum of four doses of opioid antagonist.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Sponsors reintroduce Nursing Home Workforce Standards Advisory Board bill

Rep. Scott A. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence) and Sen. Bridget G. Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown) have reintroduced legislation (2025-H 5257, 2025-S 0118) to establish a 13-member advisory board to keep state leaders informed on current market conditions, wages, benefits and working conditions in Rhode Island’s nursing home industry. The Rhode Island Nursing Home Workforce Standards Advisory Board would help state leaders understand the challenges facing nursing home staff, and craft solutions that ensure safety for them and patients alike. The Assembly passed the legislation last year, but it was vetoed by the governor.

Click here to see Rep. Slater’s news release.
Click here to see Sen. Valverde’s news release.

 

  • Casimiro, Gu introduce bill to regulate crypto ATMs
    Legislation (2025-S 0016, 2025-H 5121) introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Rep. Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) aims to protect Rhode Islanders from a rapidly growing category of scams that use cryptocurrency ATMs to defraud victims.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Kallman introduces legislation to fund statewide transit with rideshare taxes
    A bill (2025-S 0092) introduced by Sen. Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence) would use the proceeds of rideshare taxes to invest in street infrastructure and statewide transit development while also funding current public transportation services.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Potter, Thompson introduce legislation to reward quality at nursing homes
    Rep. Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston) and Sen. Brian J. Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland) have introduced legislation (2025-H 5144) to change reimbursement practices for Medicaid payments to nursing facilities to encourage investment in quality care.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Senators tour 988 Suicide & Crisis lifeline call center
    Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) hosted a tour of the call center for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in East Providence for fellow senators to highlight the importance of supporting this and other critical resources for mental and behavioral health. 
        Click here to see news release.                                              

                                     

President Trump says the tariffs imposed on other countries are having the desired effect, and he's now open to negotiations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his initial tariff plan is over, and he's watching it settle in. He said every country has called, asking to cut a trade deal with the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.        Stocks are closing sharply lower one day after President Trump announced sweeping global tariffs. The S&P 500 had its worse day since 2020 as the White House announced a baseline tariff rate of ten-percent against most countries yesterday that will go into effect on Saturday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 16-79 to 40-545. The S&P 500 lost 274 points to 53-96. The Nasdaq lost 10-50 points to 16-550.        A multi-day severe weather event is unfolding for more than 55-million people. It comes after at least seven people were killed in the South Central U.S. after storms that included several tornadoes hit the region yesterday. Tonight, there is still a tornado threat for the same areas, but forecasters warn there could also be potentially catastrophic flooding in the Mid-South and Midwest.        The Federal Aviation Administration is offering more support to air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport. The Critical Incident Stress Management team will be meeting with airport personnel sometime early this month. The FAA is also reviewing the arrival rate at the airport and will conduct regular wellness checks.        The Senate has confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The television personality was confirmed on a party-line vote of 53-45. Oz now assumes a role that provides health insurance to roughly 160 million Americans.        Steven Spielberg and George Lucas top the latest Forbes list of celebrity billionaires. The latest Forbes ranking of the world's wealthiest people includes 18 celebrities, with film director Steven Spielberg topping the list at five-point-three-billion dollars. Star Wars creator George Lucas is in second place with a net worth of five-point-one-billion dollars.       

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