Line Item Veto, Ethics Oversight of Lawmakers, Sex Trafficking Bills Heard Tuesday

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday will hear a number of bills being watched closely this legislative session, including measures that would increase Ethics Commission oversight of lawmakers, give the governor a line-item veto, implement term limits and increase the penalties for sex trafficking of a minor.

The bills will be heard Room 313 of the Senate at the rise of the state house, or about 4:45 p.m.

The bills are as follows:

• 2015-S 0173, submitted by Senate Committee on Government Oversight James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, North Kingstown, Narragansett), expands Article VI to permit legislators to be questioned by the Ethics Commission for speech/debate occurring in the House or Senate. It would give a legislator the right to a trial de novo and establish the composition of the Ethics Commission.
• 2015-S 0056, submitted by Sen. Edward J. O’Neill (I-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, Smithfield), is an amendment to the Constitution of the State, if adopted, provides that the Ethics Commission would have jurisdiction over the members of the General Assembly notwithstanding the “speech in debate” provisions of Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution.
• 2015- S 0057, submitted by Sen. Edward J. O’Neill (I-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, Smithfield), is a resolution to approve and publish and submit to the electors a proposition of amendment to the constitution of the state referendum on a line item veto for the governor.
• 2015-S 0059, submitted by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), is a resolution to approve and publish and submit to the electors a proposition of amendment to the constitution of the state referendum on a line item veto for the governor.
• 2015-S 0062, submitted by Sen. Edward J. O’Neill (I-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, Smithfield), is a resolution to approve and publish and submit to the electors a proposition of amendment to the state constitution to have four year terms and three term limits for representatives and senators.
• 2015-S 0436, submitted by Sen. Elaine J. Morgan (R-Dist. 34, Hopkinton, Charlestown, Exeter, Richmond, West Greenwich), is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require all winning candidates for general office and general assembly elections receive a majority of the votes, with an instant runoff voting system if no initial majority of votes is received.

Also being heard:

• 2015-H 5070, submitted by Rep. Doreen M. Costa (R-31, North Kingstown, Exeter), increases the penalties for criminal offenses involving the sex trafficking of a minor.
• 2015-H 5261, submitted by Rep. Stephen R. Ucci (D-Dist. 42, Johnston, Cranston), allows bake sales to be held on election days at polling places.
• 2015-H 5370, submitted by House Committee on Judiciary Chairman Cale P. Keable (D-Dist. 47, Burrillville, Glocester), adds court magistrates to the list of covered public officials that are protected from felonious threats.

The hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2015.