Wednesday, February 24, 2021 1pm Kids Count: House Committee on Education Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

1pm Kids Count

3pm House Committee on Education

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

H5079 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – FUNDRAISING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Allows a school district to assess or request a voluntary contribution of money from a student or the student’s parent or legal guardian to make a donation, in whole or in part, for the cost of district-sponsored field trips, dances, and clubs.)
Written Testimony:

H5233 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Provides students attending public schools enrolled in grades K-12 with a students’ bill of rights prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, gender, economic status or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disabilities.)
Written Testimony:

H5234 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS (Allows schools to suspend students, in and out of school, if in grades six or above, and prohibit school committees or principal from suspending students in grade 5 or below unless possessed weapons, narcotics or were found to be a danger.)
Written Testimony:

H5238 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION (SEE TITLE 16 CHAPTER 97 – THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT) (Creates the “Rhode Island Student Success Act” which would identify those students who are exempt from paying nonresident tuition at public universities, colleges or community colleges.)
Written Testimony:

H5314 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – CHIARA’S LAW – SCREENING AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DYSLEXIA (Requires screening for dyslexia and related disorders for public school students in grades kindergarten through grade four and would provide for instruction in cursive writing.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021-H 5314-DECODING DYSLEXIA
- 02-24-2021-H 5314-TIMOTHY DUFFY

H5315 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES (Requires all responsible school districts to provide all of their students in need of IEP services to receive them, no matter which school they attend or if they are homeschooled.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021-H 5315-ELIAS PINKES
- 02-24-2021-H 5315-ROBERT MARSHALL

H5444 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY (Provides that school construction projects approved after July 1, 2021, that fail to utilize a project’s architectural services and project educational design services would only be eligible to receive five incentive points.)
Written Testimony:

4pm House Committee on Finance

https://youtu.be/vv9NCkfxeEA

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

H5121 AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION (Provides a tax credit for state community service hours provided by state residents to certain not-for-profit entities and municipal departments.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021–H5121–Neena Savage DOR
- 02-24-2021–H5121–Steven Brown ACLU

H5053 AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS – RHODE ISLAND TURNPIKE AND BRIDGE AUTHORITY (Provides that the Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority, erect a safety barrier or safety netting on the Mount Hope Bridge, the Claiborne Pell Bridge, Verrazzano Bridge. Safety barrier or netting to be erected on or before 1/1/2023.)
Written Testimony:

H5532 AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE – PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS IN DISTRICT COURTS {LC1647/1} (Provides that 10% of fines imposed for misdemeanor offenses resulting in a filing shall be provided to Justice Assistance to support the case management of persons receiving a filing with any sanctions.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021–H5532– Justice Assistance

H5228 AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE – PROCEDURE GENERALLY – FEES (Raises the juror’s fees for each day’s attendance on the superior court from $15 per day to $25 per day commencing July 1, 2022, and increase to $35 per day commencing July 1, 2023, and thereafter.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021–H5228–Steven Brown ACLU

H5365 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES – MERIT SYSTEM (Creates a hiring freeze for all state positions within a classification, for which a competitive test is required, if no test is given within 12 months of the vacancy.)

H5111 AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE – CIVIL AIR PATROL ACT (Authorizes state aide to RICAP for training/equipment for use during times of natural disaster/emergency as needed by state EMA/governor.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021–H5111–Steve Brown ACLU
H5118 AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES – PAYMENTS TO FIRE COMPANIES (Provides for an appropriation of state funds to cities and towns who are members of the Narragansett Bay marine task force (NBMTF) for the maintenance of boats providing services to Narragansett Bay.)
Written Testimony:

H5119 AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES – STATE AID (Addresses general assembly appropriations in lieu of property taxes for state-owned properties within the town of Exeter and sets aside such payments to establish newly created municipal police departments.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021–H5119–Lynn Hawkins

H5110 AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – SALES AND USE TAXES–ENFORCEMENT AND COLLECTION (Provides that any person who has a retail sales permit would not be required to pay a separate registration fee to make sales at flea markets; provided, however, the person would remain responsible to pay all taxes due as a result of sales at a flea mkt.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021-H 5110- PROV FLEA LLC
- 02-24-2021–H5110–Neena Savage DOR

H5207 AN ACT RELATING TO AERONAUTICS – AIRPORTS AND LANDING FIELDS (Increases the amount of reimbursement funds required to be paid by the Rhode Island airport corporation to the city of Warwick for municipal services.)

H5225 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS — LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS (Amends the definition of public works so that it would include any public works projects performed for any city or town or quasi-municipal entity and the state and any quasi-state entity.)
H5226 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS — STATE PURCHASES (Increases the maximum small state purchase from $10,000 to $25,000 for construction projects and from $5,000 to $10,000 for all other small purchases.)
H5455 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – THE RHODE ISLAND MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM (Removes the prohibition on state appropriations to the municipal infrastructure grant program, and authorize the state planning council to evaluate, approve and issue such grants, subject to the appropriations provided to the program.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021–H5455–RI League of Cities and Towns

H5015 A RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $140,000 TO URBAN VENTURES (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $140,000 to Urban Ventures for operations and to implement activities assisting small businesses within the state of Rhode Island.)

H5447 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – STATE LOTTERY (Creates an instant ticket scratch off game pilot program to raise funds for Rhode Island veterans and dependents of qualified service members.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021–H5447–Mark Furcolo DOR
H5535 AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY – JOINT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE SERVICES (Creates a fund to be managed by the joint committee on legislative services, to make Rhode Island mementos available to visiting dignitaries and for gifts to hosting out-of-state officials, to be given by legislators’ during official visits.)

H5534 AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $140,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, LANDSCAPING, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF STATE HOUSING AID AT A REIMBURSEMENT RATE OR STATE SHARE RATIO OF NOT LESS THAN 75% AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE AND PROVIDED THAT THE AUTHORIZATION SHALL BE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF CERTAIN GRANTS RECEIVED FROM STATE BOND PROCEEDS, FROM THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OR FROM THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY (Authorizes Providence to issue not more than $140,000,000 bonds to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, landscaping, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities throughout the city of Providence.)
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021–H5534–Mayor Elorza
- 02-24-2021–H5534–RI Associated Contractors

H5318 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS – STATE PURCHASES (Permits certain volunteer firefighters to purchase motor vehicles by utilizing state purchasing provisions.)

4pm Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

S0037 AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT (Creates the “Plastic Waste Reduction Act” designed to reduce the use of plastic bags by retail establishments by offering recyclable bag options and providing penalties for violations.)

S0038 AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – BALLOONS (Prohibits the release of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gas.)

S0104 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – SCHOOL WASTE RECYCLING AND REFUSE DISPOSAL (Requires schools to comply with recycling and composting laws and promotes the donation of unspoiled nonperishable food by schools. Requires the use of share tables at all schools.)

S0155 AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS – SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS (Prohibits a food service establishment from providing a consumer with a single-use plastic straw, unless the consumer requests such a straw.)

S0218 AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – SALES AND USE TAXES – LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION (Exempts reusable bags not including paper or plastic bags from the state sales tax.)

Testimony:

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 07 HD 720p — Kevin Budris CLF

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 08 HD 720p — Johnathan Berard – Clean Water Action

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 09 HD 720p — Zachary Taylor – American recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 10 HD 720p — Christian Roseland

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 11 HD 720p — Topher Hamblitt – Save the Bay

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 12 HD 720p — Meg Kerr – Audubon Society of Rhode Island

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 13 HD 720p — Lenny Lopes – Rhode Island VETERINARY Medical association

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 14 HD 720p — Rupert Friday – Rhode Island Land Trust Council

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 15 HD 720p — Taflin Madison – Girl Scout Troop 113

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 16 HD 720p — Greg Gerritt

2021 02 24 Senate Enviro 17 HD 720p — Dave McLaughlin – Clean Ocean Access

4pm Senate Committee on Labor

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

S0066 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – RHODE ISLAND EARLY EDUCATOR INVESTMENT ACT (Requires the children’s cabinet, in conjunction with the department of education, to develop and implement strategies to improve the compensation of early educators.)

S0138 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS – OVERTIME WAGES (Exempts certain executive, administrative, and professional employees from overtime pay if their weekly wages exceed $1,036, an increase from the current $200.)

S0139 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS – PAYMENT OF WAGES (Defines and recognizes the existence and potential liability of lead entities concerning the payment of wages.)
S0195 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS – PAYMENT OF WAGES (Increases the criminal penalties for wage theft and employee misclassification.)

RI Attorney General Testifies in Support of Stronger Penalties for Wage Theft and Misclassification

S0269 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS – MINIMUM WAGES – OVERTIME (Exempts the Central Coventry Fire District from the application of the firefighters’ overtime law for 5 years beginning on July 1, 2021.)

S0270 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS – FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Comprehensively addresses wage discrimination, based on sex by expanding employee protections and the scope of the remedies available to employees who have experienced wage discrimination.)

S0271 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Requires state contracted human services providers to pay their employees a starting hourly wage of no less than one hundred fifty-five percent (155%) of the state minimum wage.)

S0273 AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE – WORK ON HOLIDAYS AND SUNDAYS (Repeals RI general laws which gives the director of the department of labor and training the authority to exempt certain classes of employees from receiving overtime pay for Sunday and holiday work.)

S0323 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS — MINIMUM WAGES (Allows individuals employed in domestic service or in or about a private home to be included as an employee.)

https://youtu.be/6LBsbFModk4

6pm House Committee on Labor

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

H5405 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS – MINIMUM WAGES -OVERTIME (Exempts the Central Coventry Fire District from the application of the firefighters’ overtime law for five years beginning on July 1, 2021.)
Written Testimony:

H5476 would authorize the issuance of a limited HVAC service person’s license upon examination authorizing work on or repair of the electrical wiring and equipment located on heating and air conditioning systems only to the extent necessary to service, maintain and repair the equipment.
Written Testimony:

https://youtu.be/6L_jokC0P1Q

H5619 would require children who seek a special limited work permit to successfully complete a training program which shall address workers’ rights, workplace health and safety, and workers’ compensation, to be established and funded by the department of labor and training.
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021-H5619-DLT Testimony
- 02-24-2021-H5619-RIAFLCIO testimony

H5401 would delete Portuguese a person of Portuguese, Brazilian, or other Portuguese culture or origin, regardless of race., from those eligible to be considered as minorities for purposes of awarding public works projects.
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021-H5401- angela costa simoes Testimony

H5263 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS – MINIMUM WAGES Allows individuals employed in domestic service or in or about a private home to be included as an employee.
Written Testimony:

H5473 would allow in workers’ compensation actions for employers to shift the legal burden to employees to prove they were not intoxicated at the time of injury or death after a showing by the employer that the employee had a positive test for intoxicating substance at or immediately following the injury or death. This act would also allow for employers or insurers to recover overpayments made for indemnity benefits by set-off payments for loss of use or disfigurement. Finally it would also require that employers bear sole responsibility for treble damages if the injured employee is a minor employed in violation of any law.
Written Testimony:
- 02-24-2021-H5473-ACLU Testimony
- 02-24-2021-H5473-Beacon Testimony

H5403 This act would require an individual employer to meet certain criteria in order to qualify for class exemption from the increased pay requirement for work on holidays and Sundays. An employer will not qualify for class exemption unless it:
- Pays its employees at least 200% of the regular state minimum wage;
- Does not use temporary employment agencies to staff operations;
- Offers employer-funded health care benefits;
- Offers employer-funded retirement options;
- Has no federal labor law violations;
- Has no environmental law or regulation violations;
- Has no violations of anti-discrimination laws; and
- Has no settlements of alleged violations of federal labor laws, environmental law or regulation violations, or anti-discrimination laws.
Written Testimony:

H5585 would repeal Rhode Island general laws which gives the director of the department of labor and training the authority to exempt certain classes of employees from receiving overtime pay for Sunday and holiday work.
Written Testimony:

Government

Rhode Island State House Wednesday, February 24, 2021

All the video from the Rhode Island State House for Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

February 25, 2021, 11:00 am

By Uprise RI Staff

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

1pm Kids Count

3pm House Committee on Education

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

4pm House Committee on Finance

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

4pm Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

Testimony:

4pm Senate Committee on Labor

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

6pm House Committee on Labor

Scheduled for Hearing and/or Consideration

2021 Rhode Island State house Video:

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