Lots of bills posted in the RI General Assembly this week. Here's a thread running down of the bills submitted in @RISenate:

S0076 from @HannaGallo27 @SandrisCano @Val_Lawson @DawnEuer @RyanWPearson @SenatorMillerRI @SenMcCaffrey Sosnowski @SenatorRuggerio & @JimSeveney would

"require that... all high school students attending public schools shall fulfill at least one-half credit or course requirement in civics education."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0076.htm

@UpriseRI

Students have sued the State of RI over the right to a civics education as presented in S0076. That suit was reluctantly dismissed by a judge, who commended the plaintiffs for bringing the lawsuit.

https://upriseri.com/2020-10-14-civic-education/

@UpriseRI

Next up, two bad minimum wage bills from @SenRaptakis Lombardi Paolino Lombardo & @SenatorCiccone.

S0077 would increase the hourly minimum wage to $11.10 on Jan 1, 2022, & commencing Jan 1, 2023, the hourly wage would increase in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region for the 4 previous fiscal years.

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0077.htm

S0137 would provide tax credits for businesses as min wage bench marks are reached or adopted in the future.

The benchmarks are as follows:

$11.50 - tax credit of one dollar $1 per hour of wages paid.
$13 – tax credit of $2 per hour of wages paid.
$14 – tax credit of $3 per hour of wages paid.

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0137.htm

@UpriseRI

For what it's worth, @SenRaptakis explains his bills here: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=371236

@UpriseRI

2021 Act on Climate bill!!

S0078 from @DawnEuer would "establish a statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction mandate."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0078.htm

@UpriseRI

S0079 from @SenatorRuggerio @SenMcCaffrey @MaryellnGoodwin @HannaGallo27 @SandrisCano @RyanWPearson Sosnowski @DawnEuer @SenLouDiPalma & @SenatorCiccone would ...

"remove the requirement that the scholarship program cease with the enrollment of the high school graduating class of 2021 at CCRI."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0079.htm

@UpriseRI

. @SenatorRuggerio & @RISpeaker both introduced bills to make RI Promise, @GovRaimondo's free 2-year college program, permanent.

See: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=371242

@UpriseRI

S0084 from @DawnEuer @MaryellnGoodwin @SenMcCaffrey Sosnowski @CindyCoyneRI Felag @Bridget4RI @RyanWPearson @HannaGallo27 & @MackDistrict6 would ...

"establish that the PUC & DPUC, in the public interest, to ensure affordability & sustainability of adequate, efficient & economical energy, communication, transportation services, & water supplies to low-income, elderly, disabled & seriously ill RIers."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0084.htm

S0085 from @JimSeveney @AnaStateSenate2 @RyanWPearson @SandrisCano & @SenLouDiPalma would "require that benchmarks specific to each local education authority be developed by @RIDeptEd to...

... improve cost controls, efficiencies & program effectiveness. Further, this act would require that the department propose an incentive fund structure to provide for the state to share in an LEA's non-core costs."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0085.htm

@UpriseRI

S0086 from @Val_Lawson @DawnEuer @MelissaMurrayRI @Bridget4RI @SandrisCano @Cythia_Mendes_ @KendraForRI @MackDistrict6 @MeghanEKallman & @AnaStateSenate2 would "provide that feminine hygiene products be provided in all public schools."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0086.htm

@UpriseRI

S0087 from @SenatorCiccone @MelissaMurrayRI @SamuelWBell @SenLouDiPalma @SandrisCano @DawnEuer & @HannaGallo27 would "require that only certified nurse-teachers may be employed as school nurses in elementary & secondary schools."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0087.htm

@UpriseRI

S0088 from @SenRaptakis @SandrisCano @AlanaDimario @HannaGallo27 @Val_Lawson @SamuelWBell Paolino @SenArchambault @SenMcCaffrey & Lombardo would

"allow teachers in all grades to provide the opportunity for students to observe a brief moment of silence on every September 11."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0088.htm

@UpriseRI

S0089 from @SenRaptakis @SandrisCano Paolino @DawnEuer & @SenArchambault would "prohibit the use of a school district's listserv to distribute any political advertisement, invitation, and/or propaganda."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0089.htm

@UpriseRI

S0090 from @SandrisCano @MelissaMurrayRI @RyanWPearson Picard @AnaStateSenate2 @Val_Lawson @DawnEuer @JimSeveney @SenLouDiPalma & @JeanineForRI would

"add to the determination of the need to support high-need students the factor of whether the student is an English language learner as defined by the department of education's regulations."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0090.htm

@UpriseRI

S0091 from @MelissaMurrayRI @SandrisCano @RyanWPearson Picard Burke @AcostaforRI @JimSeveney Rogers @Cythia_Mendes_ & @MackDistrict6 would

"require a review by the @RIDeptEd of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need students."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0091.htm

@UpriseRI

S0093 from @JimSeveney @CindyCoyneRI @RyanWPearson Picard @AlanaDimario & @SenLouDiPalma would "define as 'disabled,' persons receiving veterans’ affairs disability benefits paid by the federal government for purposes of property tax relief."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0093.htm

@UpriseRI

S0094 from @SenLouDiPalma @DawnEuer Rogers, Sosnowski & Burke would "require conservation & preservation restrictions to be liberally interpreted in favor of the grants awarded."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0094.htm

@UpriseRI

S0095 from de la Cruz, Paolino @Elaine4Senator Rogers & @SenRaptakis would "require that the governor submit a zero-based budget to the general assembly. The zero-based budget shall be phased in over a five year period."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0095.htm

@UpriseRI

S0096 from @SenLouDiPalma @DawnEuer Paolino Felag & Burke would "prohibit cities & towns from performing spot assessments that increase the assessment value of properties that have sold, except in accordance with their revaluation or update schedule."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0096.htm

S0097 from @JeanineForRI @KendraForRI @SamuelWBell @AcostaforRI @Bridget4RI & @AnaStateSenate2 would "establish a surtax on the business corporation tax for publicly traded corporations subject to US Securities & Exchange Commission disclosure & reporting requirements...

... if a subject corporation reports that the ratio of compensation of its chief executive officer to median worker is equal to or greater than 100:1."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0097.htm

@UpriseRI

S0098 from de la Cruz, Paolino & @Elaine4Senator would "require the general assembly to appropriate necessary funds for the furnishing of in-house occupational & physical therapy services for all residents of the Bristol Veterans' home."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0098.htm

@UpriseRI

S0099 from Algiere, de la Cruz, Rogers Paolino & @Elaine4Senator would "reduce the minimum corporate tax from $400 to $250 for the year beginning on January 1, 2021, & would abolish the minimum tax for tax years beginning on or after Jan 1, 2022."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0099.htm

S0100 from @JeanineForRI @MackDistrict6 @KendraForRI @Cythia_Mendes_ @SamuelWBell & @AnaStateSenate2 would "direct the dept of administration to promulgate regulations giving preference in the awarding of state contracts to business enterprises whose...

... highest paid executive receives compensation equal to or less than 25 times the median pay of its nonexecutive employees."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0100.htm

@UpriseRI

S0101 from @JeanineForRI @KendraForRI @MackDistrict6 @Cythia_Mendes_ @SamuelWBell & @AnaStateSenate2 would "establish a 'Medicaid Employer Assessment' for employers with 300 or more employees. The assessment is for each employee enrolled in Medicaid...

...The assessment would equal 10% of the employee's wages capped at $1,500 per employee/per year."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0101.htm

@UpriseRI

S0103 from @CindyCoyneRI @Bridget4RI @JimSeveney @AlanaDimario @SenLouDiPalma & @DawnEuer would "authorize cities & towns to establish a program to allow persons over the age of 60 to provide volunteer services in exchange for a property tax credit up to $1,500...

...The credit would be calculated by multiplying the number of volunteer service hours by the state minimum wage per hour."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0103.htm

@UpriseRI

S0104 from @Bridget4RI @Val_Lawson @KendraForRI @SamuelWBell & @SandrisCano would "require schools to comply with composting & recycling laws, would promote the donation of unspoiled nonperishable food by schools, ...

...would promote the selection of local food service companies for school food service contracts & the selection of vendors who recycle organic-waste at appropriate facilities, & would require the use of share tables at all schools."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0104.htm

@UpriseRI

S0105 from @DawnEuer @SenMcCaffrey Sosnowski @MeghanEKallman @Bridget4RI @MackDistrict6 @AnaStateSenate2 @SandrisCano & @CindyCoyneRI would "require the @RhodeIslandDEM to create a list of environmental justice areas...

...The act would establish requirements [based on the list] which would have to be met by an applicant prior to DEM issuing permits for a new large electric generating facility, resource recovery facility or sludge combustor facility."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0105.htm

@UpriseRI

S0106 from @JeanineForRI @KendraForRI @AcostaforRI @MackDistrict6 @Cythia_Mendes_ @SamuelWBell & @AnaStateSenate2 would "create a refundable ten cent deposit for non-reusable beverage containers. A four cents handling fee would be paid by distributors."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0106.htm

S0107 from Felag Sosnowski @DawnEuer @SandrisCano Picard @SenMcCaffrey & @MaryellnGoodwin would "provide for the department of health to take action to establish maximum contaminate levels for PFAS in drinking water & set interim standards...

...The act would also provide that the department of environmental management set standards for PFAS in ground & surface waters, & adopt standards for PFAS monitoring at landfills."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0107.htm

@UpriseRI

S0108 from @Bridget4RI & @AlanaDimario would "permit clinical laboratories to conduct its own analysis of specimens for the detection of HIV/AIDS instead of sending the specimens to the department of health."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0108.htm

@UpriseRI

S0109 from @JeanineForRI @Cythia_Mendes_ @KendraForRI @MackDistrict6 @SamuelWBell & @AnaStateSenate2 is a resolution requesting...

...the the US Congress establish an improved "Medicare for All" single payer health program providing universal, comprehensive & affordable health care.

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0109.htm

@UpriseRI

S0110 from @JimSeveney @KendraForRI @JeanineForRI @AlanaDimario @AnaStateSenate2 & @SenMcCaffrey would "prohibit PFAS, a class of fluorinated organic chemicals, from being used in food packaging."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0110.htm

@UpriseRI

S0111 from Sosnowski @CindyCoyneRI @MaryellnGoodwin @SenMcCaffrey @HannaGallo27 @SenatorMillerRI & @DawnEuer would "would provide a statutory framework for the licensing & regulation of genetic counselors."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0111.htm

@UpriseRI

S0112 from @DawnEuer @SenatorRuggerio @SenMcCaffrey @MaryellnGoodwin @Val_Lawson & @MelissaMurrayRI would "allow for the use of electronic monitoring of a resident’s room or private living unit within a nursing home or assisted living facility...

..., provided that the resident or resident representative, as well as the resident’s roommate or roommate’s representative acting on behalf of the roommate, consent to such electronic monitoring in writing in accordance with the applicable form."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0112.htm

S0115 from @JimSeveney @CindyCoyneRI @MelissaMurrayRI & @SenLouDiPalma would "authorize tax assessors in the cities & towns to use the last statutory update or revaluation as the assessed valuation upon which to levy taxes regarding their real property."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0115.htm

S0116 from @JimSeveney @CindyCoyneRI @DawnEuer Sosnowski & @SenLouDiPalma would "provide a procedure for homeowners to submit to a municipal zoning board of review or municipal official or agency for...

... a review to determine whether or not a proposed use under this chapter requires a special use permit."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0116.htm

@UpriseRI

S0118 from @AcostaforRI @JeanineForRI @MackDistrict6 @SandrisCano @AnaStateSenate2 @Cythia_Mendes_ @KendraForRI & @DawnEuer would ...

..."reduce the maximum sentence for a misdemeanor from one year to 364 days, & would apply to all persons sentenced after its effective date."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0118.htm

@UpriseRI

S0119 from de la Cruz, Rogers Paolino Lombardi Lombardo @Elaine4Senator & @SenatorCiccone would "require the the attorney general's ofice to issue a report containing the total cases charged with a firearm in all RI courts ...

& a list of cases charged with a firearm which have been disposed during the calendar year. Said report would include the make, model number & caliber of the firearm involved in said charges...

& would also include if the firearm was stolen, altered, or obliterated serial numbers, & indicate if the firearm was a 3D printed firearm or ghost firearm."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0119.htm

@UpriseRI

S0121 from @MeghanEKallman @MackDistrict6 @AnaStateSenate2 @SenatorCiccone @SandrisCano @DawnEuer @AcostaforRI @Val_Lawson @Bridget4RI & @AlanaDimario would "prohibit discrimination in housing against those persons who have a lawful source of income."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0121.htm

S0122 from @AnaStateSenate2 @SandrisCano @MeghanEKallman @SenMcCaffrey @MackDistrict6 @AcostaforRI @JeanineForRI @SamuelWBell & @DawnEuer would "require date collection & a study of traffic stops & searches to determine whether racial disparities in stops and/or searches exist...

... The data acquired may be used in civil or criminal proceedings in accordance with the rules of procedure. This act would further require the appointment of a community review board."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0122.htm

@UpriseRI

0123 from @DawnEuer & @SenLouDiPalma would "allow an owner or owners of real property to execute a deed that names one or more beneficiaries who will obtain title to the property at the owner's death without the necessity of probate."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0123.htm

@UpriseRI

S0124 from @JeanineForRI @SamuelWBell @Cythia_Mendes_ @MackDistrict6 & @KendraForRI would "restore aggregate contributions limits of not in excess of $10,000 within a calendar year."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0124.htm

@UpriseRI

S0125 from @SenRaptakis Felag Paolino Sosnowski, de la Cruz, & Rogers would give the governor a line-item veto.

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0125.htm

@UpriseRI

S0126 from @MeghanEKallman @SenatorCiccone @AlanaDimario @Bridget4RI @MackDistrict6 @HannaGallo27 @Cythia_Mendes_ @SandrisCano @RyanWPearson & @CindyCoyneRI would "require that all applicants for driver's licenses & registry-issued identification cards automatically become...

... organ donors unless they execute a declination card. The act would also require that notices be... posted which inform affected persons that they are deemed to consent to the organ & tissue donation unless they sign a card to the contrary."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0126.htm

@UpriseRI

S0127 from @JeanineForRI @KendraForRI @AcostaforRI @MackDistrict6 @Cythia_Mendes_ @SamuelWBell & @AnaStateSenate2 would "would require carbon-emissions-reduction goals be considered in energy plant siting proceedings...

"This act would take effect upon passage & would apply to applications made to the energy facility siting board on or after the effective date of this act."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0127.htm

@UpriseRI

S0128 from @SenRaptakis Lombardi @CindyCoyneRI @DawnEuer Rogers Paolino Felag & @SenArchambault would ...

"repeal the requirement that law enforcement officers issue only warnings of the risks to persons leaving a child under the age of 7 unattended in a motor vehicle.

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0128.htm

@UpriseRI

S0129 from @CindyCoyneRI @JimSeveney @AlanaDimario @SenLouDiPalma & @DawnEuer would "repeal the authority to local authorities to issue permits to carry concealed weapons & gives only the attorney general the authority to issue permits, repeals provisions allowing minors...

...under certain conditions to carry firearms, requires a national criminal background check on every applicant for a concealed carry permit, requires local law enforcement to cooperate in the permitting process &

...repeals provisions allowing permits to be issued to law enforcement officers who have retired in good standing after at least 20 years of service."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0129.htm

@UpriseRI

S0131 from @SamuelWBell @JeanineForRI @Cythia_Mendes_ Lombardo @MackDistrict6 @KendraForRI @SenatorCiccone @AlanaDimario & @MelissaMurrayRI would

"permit those other residents of a residential dwelling unit to extend the term of the rental agreement for a period not to exceed 3 months after the death of the lessee.

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0131.htm

@UpriseRI

S0132 from @Bridget4RI @AlanaDimario Sosnowski & @DawnEuer would expressly authorize cities & towns to enact ordinances to address & protect their citizens' public safety & welfare from the impact of hemp cultivation & any of its derivative products."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0132.htm

S0133 from @CindyCoyneRI @JimSeveney @AlanaDimario @MelissaMurrayRI @SenLouDiPalma & @DawnEuer would "increase the maximum amount to be recovered in civil court action as a small claims from $2,500 to $7,000."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0133.htm

@UpriseRI

S0134 from de la Cruz, Paolino @SenLouDiPalma Lombardi @Elaine4Senator @DawnEuer & @SenRaptakis would "require law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants for electronic information, data, location information &

other identifying information of subscribers & customers, except in specified circumstances."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0134.htm

@UpriseRI

S0135 from @JeanineForRI @AcostaforRI @KendraForRI @MackDistrict6 @Cythia_Mendes_ @SamuelWBell & @AnaStateSenate2 would "prevent the director of the @RhodeIslandDOC from restricting in-person visitation of inmates in the event that...

...the department implemented electronic visitation or contact, such as skype, between inmates & visitors."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0135.htm

@UpriseRI

S0136 from @SenRaptakis Lombardi Paolino Lombardo & @SenatorCiccone would "would create an 11 member special legislative study commission whose purpose it would be to study RI’s minimum wage, &

who would report back to the Senate no later than May 4, 2021, & whose life would expire on Jan 4, 2022."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0136.htm

@UpriseRI

S0138 from @JeanineForRI @MackDistrict6 @KendraForRI @SamuelWBell @Bridget4RI @MelissaMurrayRI & @AnaStateSenate2 would "exempt certain executive, administrative, & professional employees from overtime pay if their weekly wages exceed $1,036, an increase from the current $200...

Beginning on Jan 1, 2024, the weekly wage shall be updated to not less than the 40th percentile of weekly earnings of full-time nonhourly workers in the Northeast Census Region in the second quarter of the year preceding the update as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics."

S0139 from @JeanineForRI @MackDistrict6 @KendraForRI @Cythia_Mendes_ @SamuelWBell & @AnaStateSenate2 would "define & recognize the existence & potential liability of lead entities concerning the payment of wages."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0139.htm

@UpriseRI

S0140 from Algiere Paolino, de la Cruz, Rogers & @Elaine4Senator would "establish the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to...

... investigate, detect, & prevent fraud, waste, abuse, & mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0140.htm

@UpriseRI

S0141 from Algiere, de la Cruz, Rogers, Paolino & @Elaine4Senator would put a gubernatorial line-item veto on the ballot.

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0141.htm

@UpriseRI

S0142 from @HannaGallo27 @SenatorCiccone @RyanWPearson & Sosnowski would "allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on New Year's Day by retail Class A licensees."

http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText21/SenateText21/S0142.htm

@UpriseRI

And that's the bills from the Senate this week. Many more to come, but I think we are starting to see the outlines of this legislative season. @UpriseRI
Comments and explanations on these bills very welcome.