Wednesday, April 7, 2021

1pm Kids Count

2pm House Education

SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION

• H5028 by Newberry, Amore, Carson, Noret, Kislak, Casimiro, Fenton-Fung ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – THE CIVIC LITERACY ACT (Requires the implementation of the civic literacy act for all students between the 8th and 12th grades.)
• H5828 by Alzate, McNamara, Giraldo, Biah, Amore ENTITLED, HOUSE RESOLUTION REINSTATING THE LIFE OF AND EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENCOURAGING MORE PERSONS OF COLOR TO ENTER THE FIELD OF EDUCATION (Reinstates the life and extends the reporting and expiration dates of the commission to study/make recommendations to encourage more persons of color to enter field of education from April 17, 2020, to April 17, 2022, and expires on June 17, 2022.)

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• H5491 (General Treasurer) by Ackerman, McNamara, Biah, Serpa, Giraldo, Filippi ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – FINANCIAL LITERACY (Requires the council on elementary and secondary education, in consultation with the Rhode Island department of education, to develop and approve statewide academic standards for the instruction of consumer education in public high schools.)
• H5605 by Chippendale, Filippi, Newberry, Nardone, Place ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – RHODE ISLAND PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP (Provides that the students with disabilities shall be eligible to participate in the state’s promise scholarship program and provided with reasonable accommodations to access the opportunities.)
• H5839 by Quattrocchi, Place, Filippi, Nardone, Price ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION DYSLEXIA – THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR DYSLEXIA ACT (Establishes a charter school for students with dyslexia.)
• H6118 by Amore, Craven ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – STUDENT TRANSPORTATION (Prohibits school committees from entering into a school bus service contract unless the contract provides for payments to school bus drivers, monitors and aids for 180 days or the length of the contracted for school year.)
• H6149 by Place, Chippendale, Hull ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION (Establishes an education savings account whereby the General Treasurer may assist and support parents, guardians and caretakers of a school age child learning at home or remotely with materials, technology and other educational support.)

3pm Senate Housing and Municipal Government

SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION

• H5101 by Ruggiero ENTITLED, AN ACT VALIDATING AND RATIFYING AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF JAMESTOWN (Ratifies the town of Jamestown Home Rule Charter amendment to Section 219 of the charter adopted at a November 3, 2020 referendum, concerning the process and procedures by which voter initiative can be activated.)
• H5129 by Casimiro, Craven ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION (Exempts from taxation the real property of Ocean State Community Wellness, Inc., a qualified tax-exempt corporation under § 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, for the property located at 7450 Post Road, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.)
• H5217 by Nardone, Chippendale, Roberts, Noret, Morgan ENTITLED, AN ACT VALIDATING AND RATIFYING AMENDMENTS TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF COVENTRY (This act would validate and ratify amendments to the Home Rule Charter of the town of Coventry, which amendments were adopted and approved by the electors of the town of Coventry on November 3, 2020.)
• H5330 by Knight, Cassar ENTITLED, AN ACT VALIDATING AND RATIFYING AMENDMENTS TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF BARRINGTON

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• S0115 by Seveney, Coyne, Murray, DiPalma ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES (Authorizes tax assessors in the cities and towns to use the last statutory update or revaluation as the assessed valuation upon which to levy taxes regarding their real property.)
• S0116 by Seveney, Coyne, Euer, Sosnowski, DiPalma ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES – ZONING ORDINANCES (Provides 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.)
• S0174 by Felag ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – NEW HOME BUYERS FIRE PROTECTION ACT (Mandates that builders of new 1 or 2 family residential dwellings provide home buyer with written information regarding the installation of automatic fire sprinkler system subject to civil penalties for violations enforced by the AG or state fire marshal.)
• S0288 by McCaffrey, Ruggerio ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES (Makes permanent the exemption from taxation for certain residential property developments which have not been completed or, if completed, have not been sold and occupied.)
• S0388 by Coyne, Seveney ENTITLED, RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE LICENSING OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS S0654 by DiMario, Valverde, Kallman, Raptakis, Murray, Pearson, Quezada, Mendes ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES – SMALL BUSINESSES – ZONING ORDINANCES (Imposes one year moratorium on enforcement of municipal ordinance or zoning requirement that penalizes owners of food service establishments/bars for modifications/alternations to their premises in response to an emergency declaration.)

4pm Rhode Island House

IN ORDER:

1. H5568 SUB A (See Amendment) by Lima ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES – SUBDIVISION OF LAND – ZONING ORDINANCES
2. H6014 (See Amendment) by Potter ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – OFFICE OF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINERS
3. H5626 (See Amendment) by Tobon ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – PROPER MANAGEMENT OF UNUSED PAINT

4pm Senate Education

SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION

• S031 by Seveney, Euer, DiPalma, Miller, Coyne, Goodwin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – SUICIDE PREVENTION-THE NATHAN BRUNO AND JASON FLATT ACT (Creates the “Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act” which requires training of teachers/students/school personnel regarding suicide awareness and prevention, and the establishment of a conflict resolution process between teachers or school personnel/students.)
• S079 by Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Gallo, Cano, Pearson, Sosnowski, Euer, DiPalma, Ciccone ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION (Removes the requirement that the scholarship program cease with the enrollment of the high school graduating class of 2021 at the community college of Rhode Island.)
• S0287 by Gallo, Cano ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – ESTABLISHING A CLASS SIZE MAXIMUM FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWO (Mandates public school classroom size be limited to 20 students for kindergarten through grade two.)

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• S0349 (General Treasurer) by Cano, Paolino, Felag, Euer, DiPalma, Gallo, Pearson, Miller, Goodwin, McCaffrey ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – FINANCIAL LITERACY (Requires the council on elementary and secondary education, in consultation with the RI department of education, to develop and approve statewide academic standards for the instruction of consumer education in public high schools no later than 12/31/2021.)
• S0085 by Seveney, Quezada, Pearson, Cano, DiPalma ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION (Requires that benchmarks specific to each local education authority (LEA) be developed by the department of education to improve cost controls, efficiencies and program effectiveness.)
• S0090 by Cano, Murray, Pearson, Picard, Quezada, Lawson, Euer, Seveney, DiPalma, Calkin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT (Adds to the determination of the need to support high-need students the following factor: Whether the student is an English language learner as defined by the department of education’s regulations.)
• S0091 by Murray, Cano, Pearson, Picard, Burke, Acosta, Seveney, Rogers, Mendes, Mack ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT (Requires a review by the department of elementary and secondary education of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need students.)
• S0149 by Picard ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT (Repeals the provisions of § 16-7-34.3 reimbursing state for conventional public housing students and adds similar language to § 16-7.2-6 providing permanent foundation education aid funding for services to students in conventional public housing.)
• S0153 by Picard ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT (Amends the method for the calculation of the permanent foundation education aid to school districts, and would make an adjustment based upon students residing in qualified low-income housing.)
• S0214 by Cano, Pearson, DiPalma, Kallman, Lawson ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – CURRICULUM (SEE TITLE 19 CHAPTER 97 – THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT) (Provides for a minimum standard for the public education system.)
• S0290 by Gallo, Lombardo, Goodwin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT (Act provided increased school ho using aid for communities that utilize resident architectural firms for services included in new school or renovation project.)
• S0348 by Rogers, Pearson, Murray, Cano, Seveney, DiPalma ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT (Prohibits total education paid to any local education agency from being reduced by more than one percent of the municipal education appropriation in the previous year.)
• S0353 by DiPalma, Pearson, Cano, Rogers, Seveney ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT (Requires the general assembly to establish an education aid fund to be administered by the department of education for increases in enrollment of at least 25 students.)
• S0461 by Cano, Seveney, Pearson, Murray, Gallo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – STATE AID (Establishes a process for reporting violations relating to the nonpayment of tuition between local education agencies (LEAs) within 30 days and a process to reallocate tuition for students transferring from one LEA to another as of February 1 of each year.)
• S0571 by Murray, Pearson, Cano, Paolino, Gallo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION – THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT (Removes funding requirement from department of elementary and secondary education.)

5pm (Rise) House Finance

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING

• H6121 (Governor) by Abney ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FY 2021
• Article 1
  • Section 5- Rainy Day Fund
• Article 2 – Paycheck Protection Program
• H6122 (Governor) by Abney ENTITLED, AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2022
• Article 1 Section 18 – Extension of Bonds
• Article 6 Section 7 -Sales Tax Permit Fee
• H6170 by McEntee, Caldwell, Cortvriend, Casimiro, Costantino, Giraldo, Carson, Baginski, Craven, Cardillo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – BUSINESS CORPORATION TAX (Exempts from taxation any loan forgiveness under the federal Paycheck Protection Program.)

5pm (Rise) House Health and Human Services

SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION

• H5432 by Ackerman, Chippendale, Hawkins, Baginski, McNamara ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE – ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES (Insurance coverage for prostate/colon cancer screening.)
• S0383 as amended by Goodwin, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Miller, Coyne ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE – ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES – THE MARYELLEN GOODWIN COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING ACT (Insurance coverage for prostate/colon cancer screening.)

5pm Senate Environment

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• S0357 by Sosnowski, DiPalma, Coyne, Seveney, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – BIODIESEL PRODUCTS (Amends the compliance standards for heating oil biobased products providing minimum standards for the percentage of biobased product that certain types of heating oil must contain.)
• S0472 by Sosnowski, Felag, Raptakis, Lombardo, McCaffrey ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS – NET METERING (Increases the maximum aggregate amount of community remote net-metering systems from 30 MW to 90 MW/requires the allocation of a minimum of 20% of the generated power to low- or moderate-income households commencing July 1, 2021.)
• S0474 by DiMario, Euer, Ciccone, Valverde, DiPalma, Seveney, Calkin, Bell, Kallman, Anderson ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS – RENEWAL ENERGY RESOURCE PROJECTS (Prohibits the co-location of multiple renewable energy resources one or more contiguous parcels, unless the total capacity of the co-location is less than 10MW in total.)
• S0572 by Kallman, Acosta, DiMario ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – THE GEOENGINEERING – HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS ACT (Establishes geoengineering regulation for all hazardous emissions and environmental manipulation.)

6pm House Municipal Government and Housing

SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION

• H5260 by Edwards ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES (Makes permanent the exemption from taxation for certain residential property developments which have not been completed or, if completed, have not been sold and occupied.)
• H6037 by Kazarian, Amore ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO A TAX AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE AND EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION (Provides for a tax treaty between the city of East Providence and ExxonMobil Oil Corporation subject to the ratification of the East Providence city council.)
• S0561 by Kallman, Quezada, Ciccone, Goodwin, Mack, Acosta, Euer, Murray ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY – RHODE ISLAND FAIR HOUSING PRACTICES ACT (Prohibits discrimination in housing against those persons who have a lawful source of income.)
• S0325 by Pearson, Picard ENTITLED, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF CUMBERLAND TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND/OR NOTES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,500,000 TO FINANCE THE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR AND EQUIPPING OF RECREATIONAL AREAS AND FACILITIES IN THE TOWN (Authorizes the town of Cumberland to issue general obligation bonds and notes not to exceed $2,500,000 for the development/improvement/repair/alteration/construction/renovation/equipping of recreational areas and facilities in the town.)
• S0363 by Murray, de la Cruz, Paolino ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – NORTH SMITHFIELD – HISTORIC RESIDENCE TAX CREDIT (Allows North Smithfield historic residence owners to become eligible for state historic residence tax credits.)

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• H6157 by Hawkins, Costantino ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES (Removes the town of Smithfield from the provisions of state law in regard to property tax classification and tax levy determinations.)
• H6175 by Messier, Barros, Alzate, Tobon ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – RETAIL LICENSES (Allows the Pawtucket city council to issue a Class B, C, or N liquor license for use on property located on tax assessor’s plat 54B, 65B, and 23A, despite their close proximity to a school or church.)