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Editor's Note: Readers are reminded that the following reports were written by people who work for the General Assembly. |
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Feb. 1, 2019 |
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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 Conley bill to protect furloughed workers during shutdowns
§ Rep. Lima reintroduces legislation to ban the renting or leasing of ‘forever pets' Deputy Speaker Charlene M. Lima (D-Dist. 14, Cranston, Providence) has reintroduced legislation (2019-H 5246) to prohibit any business or individual in Rhode Island from renting, leasing, or in any other way offering a live animal for sale as a “forever pet” other than by a full outright sale. A “forever pet” is defined as any dog or cat purchased from a business or individual which purchase does not vest permanent ownership in the buyer. Click here to see news release.
§ Rep. Amore reintroduces bill to allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections Rep. Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) has reintroduced legislation (2019-H 5139) that would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections as long as the individual will be 18 years old by the date of the general or special election. Sen. Gayle L. Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence) is introducing the bill in the Senate. Click here to see news release.
§ Rep. Shanley legislation would create office of inspector general
§ Rep. McLaughlin bill would authorize $20 million to capital plan funds
§ Sen. Raptakis to reintroduce bill tying minimum wage increases to CPI Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich) will be reintroducing legislation that ties any future increase in the hourly minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index of the Northeast Region. Senator Raptakis introduced the same bill (2018-S 2246) last session. Click here to see news release.
§ Sen. Lawson, Sen. Archambault bills would aid furloughed workers Sen. Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence) has introduced legislation (2019-S 0175) that would allow federal employees who are working during a government shutdown to receive unemployment benefits while they are working but not being paid. Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston) has submitted legislation (2019-S 0192) that would establish a new program to assist federal employees who have been affected by a shutdown by making available state-backed loans not to exceed $5,000. Click here to see news release.
§ Rep. Corvese files bill to create animal abuse registry § Sen. Miller bill aims to expand support after overdose, mental health ER visits § Study commission on effects of wind turbines on marine life forms
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For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.
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The Biden administration is telling House Speaker Mike Johnson it's up to state governors to decide if the National Guard is needed to subdue pro-Palestine protests on college campuses. Johnson called on President Biden to call in the National Guard after visiting Columbia University on Wednesday. The Speaker said "there is an appropriate time for the National Guard" if the protests aren't contained quickly. 
