Last Week at the General Assembly. . .

Assembly OKs bill to make distracted driving part of license training program

The House and Senate passed legislation that will require driving students to be educated and tested on the issue of distracted driving, especially on the risks posed by making phone calls or sending text messages while behind the wheel. Transmitted to the governor for his action were the Senate bill (2013-S 0660), sponsored by Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), and the House bill (2013-H 5655), introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston). Click here to see news release.

Legislation passes allowing all in line by poll closing time to vote

The General Assembly approved legislation that will allow any voter who is in line at a polling place at the time the polls close (8 p.m.) to cast a ballot, regardless of whether or not they are inside the building in which the voting is being held – something that is required under current law. Passed and transmitted to the governor were the House bill (2013-H 5771), sponsored by Rep. Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence), and the Senate bill (2013-S 0626), sponsored by Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown). Click here to see news release.

Senate OKs bill to increase tax credit transparency

The Senate approved legislation (2013-S 0827) that will increase transparency and accountability regarding the state’s various tax credit programs by requiring the entities that benefit from the credits to report their value to the Division of Labor. Sen. Frank Lombardo III (D-Dist. 25, Johnston) sponsored the Senate bill. A companion House bill (2013-H 6130) was introduced by Rep. Michael J. Marcello (D-Dist. 41, Scituate, Cranston). Click here to see news release.

CPR, defibrillator training to be required for high school graduation

The House has approved legislation (2013-H 5376) that will require high school students to be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in order to graduate. Sponsor Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) said the goal is to quicken response to potentially life-threatening situations and to help students learn how to save lives. A companion Senate bill (2013-S 0318), sponsored by Sen. James E. Doyle II (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket), has passed the Senate and awaits House action. Click here to see news release.

Senate OKs municipal advisory council for statewide permitting reform

The Senate passed a bill sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham) to establish a municipal advisory council on statewide permitting to increase feedback from cities and towns. The legislation (2013-S 0757A) is part of the Senate’s “Moving the Needle” economic development package and calls for the council to consist of five elected or appointed officials, chosen by the governor. The purpose of the council would be to develop recommendations to establish a statewide process for electronic plan review and encourage full participation of each city and town in the state. Click here to see news release.

House approves compensation change to protect victims of violent crimes

The House passed a measure (2013-H 5969), sponsored by Rep. Anastasia P. William (D-Dist. 9, Providence), that would allow innocent victims of violent crimes to receive funds for relocation purposes as part of the Crime Victim Compensation Program. Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush is the sponsor of the Senate companion bill (2013-S 0909). Click here to see news release.

Senate passes Biodiesel Heating Oil Act of 2013

The Senate has passed a bill (2013-S 0816A), sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham) that would require all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state to contain a specified percentage of a biobased product. Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston) sponsors the House companion bill (2013-H 5802). Click here to see news release.

Senate OKs proposed energy efficiency financing for Rhode Island residents

A bill that would allow Rhode Islanders to take advantage of affordable, long-term financing for energy upgrades to their property received approval from the Senate. Sen. William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) sponsored the legislation (2013-A 0900A). Click here to see news release.

Bill would allow cities two residential tax rates in lieu of homestead exemption

Rhode Island cities and towns would be able to make their residential tax rate more transparent under legislation sponsored by Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) and passed by the Senate. The legislation (2013-S 826A) allows cities and towns the option of establishing two residential tax rates, one for owner-occupied dwellings and one for non-owner-occupied homes. The system is meant to give cities and towns an option to give residents a break on their primary homes, without having to deal with homestead exemptions, and would make their published residential tax rates more understandable to those considering a move. Click here to see news release.

Senate OKs bill letting parents share work requirement in Rhode Island Works 

The Senate approved legislation (2013-S 825) sponsored by Sen. Gayle L. Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence) that would align Rhode Island law to federal requirements allowing parents in the Rhode Island Works program to share the work activity hours required for participation. Identical legislation (2013-H 5738) is being sponsored in the House by Rep. Maria Cimini (D-Dist. 7, Providence).