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.

 

 

New documents pertaining to the John F. Kennedy assassination are now public. For more than 60 years, the November 22nd, 1963 shooting in Downtown Dallas has been a discussion topic among internet conspiracy theorists and historians alike. The National Archives published roughly 80-thousand pages on its website Tuesday.        A federal judge is temporarily blocking the implementation of a transgender military ban. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military. Now, a judge is barring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other military officials from implementing that order.        NASA and Boeing aren't ready to give up on Starliner. NASA officials said yesterday they're working on issues that led to helium leaks in the capsule last year. The capsule was supposed to bring astronauts Suni [[ Sunny ]] Williams and Butch Wilmore home from the International Space Station. Instead, they ended up spending some nine months aboard the ISS before finally returning to Earth yesterday in a SpaceX capsule.        An outbreak of measles in West Texas is nearing 300 cases. The currently confirmed 279 cases is roughly the same number of cases that was seen nationally, all of last year. Statistics released by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services show the fastest growth continues to be in a rural community that has the lowest immunization rates in the state.        A member of the Tuskegee Airmen will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery today. Shelton "Ivan" Ware served as a weapons and vehicle maintenance technician with the Red Ball Express, a group of predominantly Black troops that helped supply Allied troops during World War Two. The Maryland resident was 101-years-old when he died in September.        A pair of schools are advancing to the First Round of the South Region in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Alabama State and North Carolina secured victories in the First Four from Dayton. The Hornets claimed the 16th seed and will battle number-one overall Auburn in round one, while the Tar Heels snagged the 11 seed and clash against number-six Ole Miss. The First Four wraps up today with Xavier-Texas and Mount St. Mary's-American.       

Old News Archives