Last Week at the RI General Assembly

For more information on any of these reports, visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/

House passes bill requiring mortgage conciliation effort before foreclosure

The House passed legislation (2013-H 5335Aaa) sponsored by Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) to require banks and lenders to make a good-faith attempt to negotiate with homeowners before foreclosing on homes in Rhode Island. Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence) is sponsoring similar legislation (2013-S 416) in the Senate.

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Fogarty files bill to allow liquor sales at 10 am on Sundays

Sen. Paul W. Fogarty (D-Dist. 23, Glocester, Burrillville, North Smithfield), whose district borders both Connecticut and Massachusetts, has introduced legislation (2013-S 799) to allow Rhode Island liquor stores to open two hours earlier on Sundays, at 10 a.m. The bill is aimed at preventing stores near the state border from losing business to stores in Connecticut, which last year allowed its stores to begin selling liquor on Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) is sponsoring the bill (2013-H 5183) in the House.

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Ferri introduces Health Improvement Planning Act

Rep. Frank Ferri (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) has introduced legislation to expand the state’s effort to improve the value and quality of health in Rhode Island through a collaborative statewide planning process for population health and medical care resources and delivery. The Rhode Island Health Improvement Planning Act of 2013 (2013-H 5750) would establish the Rhode Island Health Planning Authority, a body that would have more public control, independence, increased effectiveness and – backers hope – adequate staffing and more funding than past efforts.

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Tanzi bill would allow ‘benefit corporations’ in R.I.

Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett) has introduced legislation that would give legal protection to Rhode Island for-profit corporations that have social and environmental missions. The legislation (2013-H 5720) would create a voluntary option for businesses that have a mission other than profit to allow them to pursue that mission appropriately without risk of lawsuits from shareholders.

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Senate OKs resolution to place Rhode Island on Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Council

The Senate has passed a resolution urging Congress to allow Rhode Island representation on the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council. The bill (2013-S 0729), sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham), aims to assist Rhode Island in eliminating some of the many challenges facing its fishing community.

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