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 OKs Picard bill seeking constitutional right to adequate education
    The Senate passed legislation (2023-S 0072) sponsored by Sen. Roger A. Picard (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) to place a question on the next statewide ballot asking voters to amend the state constitution to guarantee “an equitable, adequate and meaningful education to each child.” Such a constitutional guarantee would ensure that systems that are failing children are addressed because the guarantee would be legally enforceable. The bill now goes to the House, where Rep. Mary Duffy Messier (D-Dist. 62, Pawtucket) is sponsoring companion legislation (2023-H 5771).
    Click here to see news release.
     
  • House OKs McEntee bill extending outdoor dining at restaurants

The House of Representatives passed legislation (2023-H 5264A) introduced by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett) that would extend the law that allows restaurants to continue outdoor dining. The bill now heads to the Senate, where Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham) has introduced similar legislation (2023-S 0300).

Click here to see news release

  • Senate approves bill to limit kindergarten-Grade 2 class sizes
    The Senate approved legislation (2023-S 0177) sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) to set a limit of 20 students for kindergarten through Grade 2 classes in public schools. The bill now goes to the House, where Rep. Robert E. Craven (D-Dist. 32, North Kingstown) is sponsoring companion legislation (2023-H 5085).

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Senate OKs bill naming CCRI Newport for Paiva Weed
    The Senate approved legislation (2023-S 0442) sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) to rename the Community College of Rhode Island’s Newport campus in honor of former Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, who was the Senate’s first female president and its first female majority leader. She was a champion for CCRI’s Newport campus, among many other things during a legislative career that spanned nearly 25 years. The bill goes to the House.
    Click here to see news release.

 

  • Rep. Alzate introduces bill to turn commercial buildings into housing

Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) has introduced legislation (2023-H 6090) that would make it easier to convert commercial structures such as hospitals or mills into housing. The bill would allow, as a permitted use, the adaptive reuse of commercial structures, such as mills, factories, hospitals, malls, churches and schools, into high density residential developments without the need to go before a municipal planning board for a zone change.

Click here to see news release

 

  • Rep. Cruz introduces bill to eliminate rental application fees

Rep. Cherie L. Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket) has introduced legislation (2023-H 6087) that would eliminate housing rental application fees. ​The bill states that a landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property management company, or designee shall not be allowed to require or demand any prospective tenant to pay a rental application fee. Sen. Melissa A. Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) has introduced similar legislation (2023-S 0311) in the Senate.

Click here to see news release

 

§  Rep. Felix and Sen. Acosta introduce bill to reform solitary confinement

Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) and Rep. Leo Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket) have introduced legislation (2023-S 0617) that would establish an oversight committee to monitor the use of solitary confinement, lay out clear guidelines for when solitary confinement could be used and restrict its use to punishment for violent offenses. The bill would also prohibit solitary confinement, except in emergencies, for inmates with developmental or psychiatric disabilities. No one could be kept in solitary confinement for more than 22 hours each day.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  Sen. Lawson bill would protect seniors on Medicare from discrimination

Sen. Valarie Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) has introduced legislation (2023-S 0583) that would prohibit insurers providing Medigap coverage from subjecting seniors to an underwriting process, denying them coverage or charging higher rates due to pre-existing conditions.

Click here to see news release.
 

§  Rep. Felix bill would promote transit-oriented development 

Rep. Leo Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket) has introduced a bill (2023-H 6084) that would create a pilot program to fund projects that build dense, mixed-use development around transit centers such as train stations and bus hubs.
Click here to see news release.

 

Air traffic in and out of New York may face major delays due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires. A Ground stop has been ordered at LaGuardia Airport due to low visibility. Also, flight operations at Newark Liberty Airport are experiencing significant delays.        A former Donald Trump aide is confirming he testified before a federal grand jury in Florida hearing evidence in the case of Trump's handling of classified documents. Taylor Budowich, who is currently running the super PAC MAGA, Inc, said he fulfilled a legal obligation to testify before the grand jury and answered every question honestly. He called the investigation into the former president a "bogus and deeply troubling effort to use the power of government to get Trump."        North Dakota's governor is joining the race for the 2024 GOP presidential bid. Doug Burgum announced his run today. The seven-year leader of the Peace Garden State said the U.S. needs a change in the White House and someone new to handle the "changing economy." He's joining Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former President Trump's top rival, as well as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Senator Tim Scott.       Doctors say Pope Francis is "fine" after undergoing surgery on Wednesday. The surgery was on his abdomen and was not considered urgent. A Vatican spokesman says the procedure was planned by the pope's medical team because of a hernia that has been giving the pontiff recurring pains.        U.S. federal agents are going to Peru for the transfer of Joran Van der Sloot, a suspect in the Natalee Holloway case. Holloway disappeared in 2005 during a high school graduation trip to Aruba. Van der Sloot will be transferred to U.S. federal custody in Lima this week and then sent to Alabama.        Pro wrestling icon the Iron Sheik is dead at the age of 81. A statement posted on the WWE Hall of Famer's Twitter account said he "departed this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come." His match with Hulk Hogan at Madison Square Garden in 1984 led to the birth of the Hulkamania phenomenon.