Thursday, March 4, 2021

1pm Governor McKee Covid Press Conference

3:30pm SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE

SCHEDULED FOR ADVICE AND CONSENT
CONSIDERATION ONLY

• Appointment of John C. Revens, Jr. VICE Marion S. Gold, Ph.D to the Public Utilities Commission for a term expiring March 1, 2027.

4pm Rhode Island House

IN ORDER:

1. H5105A (See Amendment) by Baginski ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – RETAIL LICENSES
2. H5075 (See Amendment) by McNamara ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS — DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS
3. H5217 (See Amendment) by Nardone ENTITLED, AN ACT VALIDATING AND RATIFYING AMENDMENTS TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF COVENTRY

4pm SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• S0043 by DiPalma, Seveney, Murray, de la Cruz, Pearson ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION {LC294/1} (Requires the contracting department of the department of human services or the department of administration to pilot at least one contract for professional or technical services using automatic verification software to verify hours billed under contract.)
• S0044 by Sosnowski, DiPalma, Seveney, Rogers, Raptakis ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION — VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER/EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION ENABLING LEGISLATION {LC419/1} (Allows municipalities to establish a program providing property tax exemption to active duty individuals who volunteer services as a firefighter or emergency medical technician.)
• S0094 by DiPalma, Euer, Rogers, Sosnowski, Burke ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY — CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION RESTRICTIONS ON REAL PROPERTY {LC321/1} (Requires conservation and preservation restrictions to be liberally interpreted in favor of the grants awarded.)
• S0158 by Felag, Gallo, Murray, Raptakis, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — RHODE ISLAND LIVABLE HOME MODIFICATION ACT {LC1177/1} (Establishes Rhode Island Livable Home Modification Grant to eligible homeowners and renters to retrofit their residence to nationally recognized accessibility standards.)
• S0162 by Felag, Gallo, Murray, Raptakis, Cano, Goodwin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — HOME COMMUNITY CARE SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY {LC1188/1}
• S0229 by DiPalma, Picard, Burke ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCE TAX {LC1246/1} (Increases the housing resources restricted receipts account by $.60 previously retained for state use.)
• S0294 by Ciccone, McCaffrey, Ruggerio, Goodwin, Cano ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION — TAX AMNESTY {LC1595/1} (Creates a ninety (90) day tax amnesty program in the state fiscal year 2021-2022)
• S0363 by Murray, de la Cruz ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION — NORTH SMITHFIELD – HISTORIC RESIDENCE TAX CREDIT {LC2182/1} (Allows North Smithfield historic residence owners to become eligible for state historic residence tax credits.)
• S0365 by Kallman, Murray, Goodwin, Cano, Ruggerio, Euer, Acosta ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION — REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCE TAX {LC1610/1} (Provides that a portion of the real estate conveyance tax be apportioned to a newly established restricted receipt account known as the housing production fund.)
• S0374 by Sosnowski, Algiere, Valverde ENTITLED, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $85,000,000 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 TOWN, AND ALL ATTENDANT EXPENSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL COSTS, 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 {LC1964/1} (Authorizes the town of South Kingstown to issue not more than $85,000,000 bonds and notes to finance the construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, repair, landscaping, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities.)
• S0375 by de la Cruz, Morgan ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION {LC253/1} (Authorizes fire districts to provide for an exemption, from fire taxes, for volunteer firefighters.)

4pm SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• S0049 by Bell, Mack, Anderson, Calkin, Valverde ENTITLED, SENATE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND STATE AUDITOR GENERAL TO CONDUCT OR OVERSEE A STUDY OR AUDIT ON THE PRIVATIZATION OF RHODE ISLAND’S MEDICAID PROGRAMS
• S0109 by Calkin, Mendes, Anderson, Mack, Bell, Quezada ENTITLED, SENATE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING AN IMPROVED “MEDICARE FOR ALL” SINGLE PAYER PROGRAM THAT WOULD PROVIDE UNIVERSAL, COMPREHENSIVE AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
• S0230 by Mendes, Acosta, Calkin, Mack, Bell, Kallman, Cano, Anderson, Quezada, Valverde ENTITLED, SENATE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND ASSESS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICARE-FOR-ALL SINGLE PAYER PROGRAM IN RHODE ISLAND
• S0231 by Goldin, Valverde, DiMario, Bell, Calkin, Miller ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE — HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN {LC749/1} (Allows pregnant women with an annual family income above the applicable Medicaid income limit to be eligible to purchase health insurance through one of the Medicaid managed care plans.)
• S0233 by Bell, Calkin, Mack, Anderson, Goldin, Quezada, Lawson, Mendes, Acosta, DiMario ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY — COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM {LC594/1} (Establishes a universal, comprehensive, affordable single-payer health care insurance program which shall be referred to as, “the Rhode Island Comprehensive Health Insurance Program” (RICHIP))

5:30pm (Rise) HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING

SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION

• H5025 by Newberry ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION — NORTH SMITHFIELD – HISTORIC RESIDENCE TAX CREDIT {LC497/1} (Allows North Smithfield historic residence owners to become eligible for state historic residence tax credits.)
• H5477 by McLaughlin, Giraldo, Ackerman, Corvese 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 {LC1571/1} (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.)

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• H5407 by Cortvriend, McGaw, Edwards, Chippendale ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION — LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES {LC484/1} (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.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5407–Portsmouth Resolution
  • 03-04-2021–H5407–Matthew Helfand
  • 03-04-2021–H5407–Kristopher Leaden
  • 03-04-2021–H5407–Brian Daniels
  • 03-04-2021–H5047–Schafer Peder
• H5427 by Place, Quattrocchi ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION – PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION {LC530/1} (Authorizes fire districts to provide for an exemption from fire taxes for volunteer firefighters.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5427–Richard Susi
• H5478 by Azzinaro, Filippi, Kennedy ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — RETAIL LICENSES {LC1506/1} (Allows the Westerly Town Council to issue a Class B liquor license for premises located at 169 and 177 Main Street, despite its location within proximity to a school church.)
• H5479 by Azzinaro ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY — NEW HOME BUYERS FIRE PROTECTION ACT {LC967/1} (Mandates that builders of new one or two (2) family residential dwellings provide the buyer with written information regarding the installation of automatic fire sprinkler system.)
• H5480 by Tobon, Casey, Noret, Diaz, Vella-Wilkinson ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION — PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION {LC1252/1} (Exempts from taxation real property acquired or leased by a railroad entity used in the boarding or disembarking of railroad passengers or supporting passenger railroad operations and services.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5480–John Flaherty
• H5586 by Hull, Cardillo, Perez, Hawkins, Ackerman, Fogarty, McLaughlin, Costantino, Slater, Corvese ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION — PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION — EXEMPTIONS {LC1095/1} (Includes the real and tangible personal property of St. John Baptist De La Salle Institute, d/b/a La Salle Academy, a Rhode Island domestic nonprofit corporation, located in Providence, Rhode Island, on the list of properties exempt from taxation.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5586–Jordan Goyette
  • 03-04-2021–H5586–Jim Lynch
  • 03-04-2021–H5586–Jim Lynch (2)
• H5590 by Nardone, Chippendale ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY — THE RHODE ISLAND CESSPOOL ACT OF 2007 {LC1287/1} (Exempts a residential homeowner who has abandoned an on-site system from obtaining a contractor to pump out and to fill in with material, as long as the residential homeowner has taken the necessary steps to secure the abandoned on-site system.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H–5590 Topher Hamblett
• H5620 by Bennett ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO JEWISH SENIORS AGENCY OF RHODE ISLAND {LC138/1} (Increases the authorized holdings of Jewish Seniors Agency of Rhode Island to two million dollars ($2,000,000) and exempt the same from taxation.)
• H5632 by Ackerman, Shekarchi ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES — ZONING ORDINANCES {LC1669/1} (Requires towns and cities to allow tiny homes to be used as accessory dwelling units and to be counted as affordable housing.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021– H5632–Bob Cooper
  • 03-04-2021–H5632–Tony Simon
  • 03-04-2021–H5632–Melina Lodge
  • 03-04-2021–H5632–Leglislation Committee
  • 03-04-2021–H5632–Jordan Goyette
  • 03-04-2021–H5632–Jennifer Hawkins
  • 03-04-2021–H5632–David Salvatore
  • 03-0420-21–H5632–Brenda Clement
  • 03-04-2021–H5632– Maureen Maigret
• H5688 by Serpa, Chippendale, Noret, Nardone, Morgan ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO COVENTRY SEWER AUTHORITY {LC1401/1} (Prohibits the town of Coventry from assessing the costs of repaving the roadway upon the completion of any sewage works upon the land owners.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5688–Jordan Goyette
• H5689 by Casey, Lima, Phillips ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS {LC1557/1} (Eliminates the exception the current law gives to Woonsocket regarding the composition of city or town school committees.)
• H5815 (University of Rhode Island) by Hull, McLaughlin, Barros, Perez, Costantino ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES — EMERGENCY POLICE POWER {LC1888/1} (Authorizes higher education institution department to enter into an agreement with any city/town to provide police assistance in non emergency situations.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5815–Sidney Wordell
  • 03-04-2021–H5815–Kevin Lynch
  • 03-04-2021–H5815–Jordan Goyette
• H5821 by Hawkins, Costantino, Biah ENTITLED, AN ACT VALIDATING AND RATIFYING THE 2020 AMENDMENTS TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF SMITHFIELD

6pm HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

H5223 by Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Abney, Ackerman, Shallcross Smith, Kennedy, Corvese ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ENABLING THE STATE LOTTERY DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO CONTRACT WITH IGT GLOBAL SOLUTIONS CORPORATION AND TWIN RIVER {LC1065/1} (Enables the state lottery division of the department of revenue to enter into a contract extension with IGT Global Solutions Corporation and contract extensions with Twin River and affiliates of Twin River.)

6:30pm HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION

• H5134 by Bennett ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — ENERGY FACILITY SITING ACT {LC141/1} (Amends provisions relative to the energy facility siting act including designating the public utilities commission as the public advocate and would create certain pre-application requirements.)
• H5175 by Bennett ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT – ENERGY FACILITY SITING ACT {LC82/1} (Provides that applicants/licensees for fossil fuel electricity generating facilities invest in renewable energy facilities in conjunction with the fossil fuel facility construction.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5175–Lorraine Savard
  • 03-04-2021–H5175–Build RI
• H5278 by Edwards, Place, Newberry ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — ENERGY FACILITY SITING ACT {LC726/1} (Increases membership from 3 to 5 members/revises siting process to mandate public/municipal participation.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5278–RI League of Cities and Towns
  • 03-04-2021–H5278–Lorraine Savard
  • 03-04-2021–H5278–Leah Donaldson
  • 03-04-2021–H5278–Jordan Goyette
  • 03-04-2021–H5278–Conservation Law Foundation
  • 03-04-2021–H5278–Build RI
  • 03-04-2021–H5278 National Grid
• H5279 by McGaw, Carson, Ruggiero, Donovan, Cortvriend, Morales, Potter, Alzate, Henries, Speakman ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT — ENERGY SITING {LC237/1} (Requires carbon-emissions-reduction goals be considered in energy plant siting proceedings.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5279–RI Medical Society
  • 03-04-2021–H5279–Propane Gas Association of NE
  • 03-04-2021–H5279–PGANE
  • 03-04-2021–H5279–Pamela Lezeta
  • 03-04-2021–H5279–Kaylynn Polley
  • 03-04-2021–H5279–Jordan Goyette
  • 03-04-2021–H5279–Climate Action RI
• H5357 by Filippi ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS — LONG-TERM CONTRACTING STANDARD FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY {LC997/1} (Clarifies that all interconnection and standby transformer costs are to be socialized by National Grid throughout the state of Rhode Island, retroactive to June 15, 2010.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5357–National Grid
  • 03-04-2021–H5357–Leah Donaldson
  • 03-04-2021–H5357–CLF
• H5446 by Tobon, Casey, Craven, Diaz, Solomon ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY — REFUSE DISPOSAL–ELIMINATION OF POST-USE POLYMERS AND RECOVERED FEEDSTOCKS USED IN ADVANCED RECYCLING PROCESSES FROM SOLID WASTE {LC1001/1} (Exempts post-use polymers and recovered feedstocks used in advanced recycling processes from the definition of solid waste.)
• H5610 by O’Brien ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE – ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF GAME {LC561/1} (Prohibits captive hunting and the possession, the sale, breeding or importation of any mammal for the purpose of captive hunting.)
• Written Testimony
  • 03-04-2021–H5610–The Nature Conservancy
  • 03-04-2021–H5610–RI Farm Bureau
  • 03-04-2021–H5610–Back Country Hunters and Anglers
• H5626 (Lieutenant Governor) by Tobon ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY – PROPER MANAGEMENT OF UNUSED PAINT {LC1242/1} (Requires DEM to request proposals every 2 years to solicit representative organization to operate paint stewardship program.)