This Week at the General Assembly

Assembly OKs creation of task force to foster, promote arts, culture

Acknowledging that the arts are a powerful economic engine that can contribute to the state’s fiscal health, the General Assembly has approved a joint resolution (2013-S 0914, 2013-H 6142) to create a “State of the Arts” Planning Task Force to foster and promote the arts and culture in Rhode Island. The task force would be called on to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and to identify specific action steps that can be taken to attract, retain, support, expand and market the arts and associated creative industries. The legislation was introduced by Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13,Newport, Jamestown) and House Speaker Gordon D. Fox (D-Dist. 4, Providence). Click here to see news release.

Senate passes key economic development legislation

The Senate has passed several important pieces of legislation from the “Moving the Needle” economic development bill package. The first bill (2013-S 0718Aaa), sponsored by Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, North Kingstown, Narragansett), would change the name of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and would also establish transparency and accountability provisions with respect to its operations and governance. The second bill (2013-S 0730A), sponsored by Sen. Roger A. Picard (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland), would create an Office of Economic Data and Information. The third bill (2013-S 0747), sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence), changes the reporting requirements for projects receiving the historic structures tax credit to help legislators assess the credits’ effect on the economy. The last bill (2013-S 0734A), sponsored by Sen. Daniel Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence), would require an assessment and periodic review of state tax credits and other incentives in order to determine the extent to which they are achieving their desired purpose.

Bills pass prohibiting insurance discrimination against abuse victims

The General Assembly has approved legislation that would prohibit casualty and property insurance companies from discriminating against domestic abuse victims by denying coverage, canceling coverage or charging a premium for coverage based solely on an individual’s abuse status. The bills (2013-S 0719A, 2013-H 5839) were sponsored by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) and Rep. Linda Finn (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth). Click here to see news release.

House Oversight continues review of EDC loan guaranty program

The House Committee on Oversight conducted two more hearings this week as it continues its review of the R.I. Economic Development Corporation Job Creation Guaranty Program, which provides access to capital and credit for growth-oriented businesses. The committee heard from representatives of a bond insurance firm and also from representatives of the EDC who presented testimony on project monitoring of loan guaranty recipients.

Senate approves Goodwin bill getting tough on graffiti

The Senate gave its approval to legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence) to crack down on graffiti by increasing penalties and holding perpetrators responsible for the damage they cause. The legislation (2013-S 548A) eliminates a break in the current law that gives first-time graffiti offenders lesser penalties and makes third-time convictions a felony punishable by up to two years in jail, $2,000 in fines and 300 hours of community service. In all cases, it also requires the court to order restitution by the offender for the cost of the damage. Click here to see news release.

House, Senate approve ‘national popular vote compact’ bills

The House and Senate approved companion bills (2013-S 0346, 2013-H 5575) that would add Rhode Island to a compact of states agreeing to commit their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in presidential balloting across the country. The Senate bill was introduced by Sen. Erin P. Lynch (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston) and the House bill was sponsored by Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth). Click here to see news release.

Senate OKs releasing medical records for investigations, elder abuse cases

The Senate approved legislation (2013-S 459A)  sponsored by Sen. Paul V. Jabour (D-Dist. 5, Providence) to allow health care providers to release limited health care information that would otherwise be confidential to appropriate law enforcement personnel if it is necessary to alert them to a crime or clues to the identity, description, or location of the perpetrator of a crime. The Senate also approved legislation (2013-S 543A) sponsored by Sen. Catherine Cool Rumsey (D-Dist. 34, Exeter, Charlestown, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich) to require health care providers to alert law enforcement if they believe an elderly person is the victim of abuse or neglect, and provide them an exception to medical privacy laws in order to do so. Companion legislation (2013-H 5561, 2013-H 5855) to the two bills is sponsored in the House by Rep. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence) and House Speaker Pro Tempore Elaine A. Coderre (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket), respectively. Click here to see Jabour release. Click here to see Cool Rumsey release.

House OKs bill allowing service members swift exit from auto, apartment leases

The House approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Dist. 69, Bristol,Portsmouth) to help active service members exit automobile and housing leases when they are moved to a different station or deployed. The legislation (2013-H 5165A) would allow a service member who is moved to a different base or is deployed for more than 90 days to end a housing rental agreement, and end a vehicle lease if the move is for more than 180 days, without paying a penalty. Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton.) is sponsoring companion legislation (2013-S 0042) in the Senate. Click here to see news release.

Senate OKs bill giving subsidy to relatives caring for Eleanor Slater patients

The Senate has approved a bill (2013-S 0680), sponsored by Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), that allows an appropriate relative to care for a patient or resident of Eleanor Slater Hospital and receive a subsidy for doing so if the parent of that individual cannot fulfill his or her needs. Click here to see news release.

Commission proposed to explore additional parking in Providence

Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) has introduced legislation (2013-S 0993) to establish a special legislative commission to make a comprehensive study and issue findings regarding building a structured parking facility at the Garrahy Judicial Complex in downtown Providence. The proposed 11-member commission would be expected to report findings and recommendations by the end of 2013. Click here to see news release.