On behalf of Governor Gina Raimondo, we are pleased to offer PPE to our RI Small Businesses. This program will help supply procedural masks and disinfectant to area small businesses under 50 employees. The methodology of distribution is as follows:

•      5 cloth masks – 5/employee
•   1-gallon of disinfectant for businesses under 25 employees, and two, 1-gallon containers for businesses 25-50   employees.

We ask that you complete the below form for our records. Finally, please note that the company must complete the COVID Control Plan found at www.reopeningri.com confirming the business’ acknowledgement of their role in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID Control Plan in English: https://www.reopeningri.com/resource_pdfs/COVID-19-Control-Template-Final-5.6.20.pdf
COVID Control Plan in Spanish: https://www.reopeningri.com/resource_pdfs/SPANISH-Business-Guidance-COVID-19-Control-Plan-Template-%20Spanish.pdf


Company Name  _____________________________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Point of Contact/Name, email and telephone number ______________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
Business Type _______________________________________________________________________
Number of employees _______________
☐    Confirm your company has completed the “COVID-19” Control Plan found at reopeningri.com.

 PLEASE CALL THE CHAMBER OFFICE FOR PICK UP TIMES 401-245-0750
​

​At the State House
 
As was stated last week, it seems the budget will be the focus of attention for the next month and a half followed by voting on the budget in November. 
 
This week, the House Finance Committee will meet Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. to take testimony surrounding the Governor’s request to amend Article 8 (Tax Article of the budget).  The amendment seeks to decouple Rhode Island tax law from the federal excess loss deduction found in 26 U.S.C. section 461(1)(1)(B) in tax years 2018-2020.  While disallowing a deduction in FY20 and FY21, the amendment would allow for 20% of the “disallowed” deduction to be taken each year in 2021-2025.  If this change is not included in the FY2021 budget, the federal allowance is estimated to cost the state $18.78 million in FY20 and $10.3 million in FY21.  The change would delay the financial hit to the state to $5.8 million in FY22 through FY26. The meeting will be live streamed at http://ritv.devosvideo.com/show?video=cd679c40105a .  No in-person testimony will be taken at the hearing.  If you wish to testify, you can send written testimony to cobrien@rilegislature.gov or request to be heard verbally by sending an email to the same address – include the bill number (Article 8 Amendment), your name, For/Against, phone number to be reached for providing testimony and affiliation (if any).
 
 
Carbon Pricing Study Update
 
Last Friday, two consultants provided an update on the carbon pricing study that is being undertaken as a result of legislation passed in 2019.  Three agencies – RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Department of Transportation and RI Office of Energy Resources - are working together on this project.  The consultants announced that they will be modeling six different scenarios under the study that take into account different carbon pricing points, the inclusion of varying level of incentives to the public and governments to use certain technologies, and varying levels of rebates (direct checks to individuals and/or businesses).
 
Program Incentives would include items like:  purchase of electric vehicles, free RIPTA fares, electric RIPTA bus purchases, electric vehicle changing station installations, air and ground source heating pump installations in buildings, and bike infrastructure creation.
 
The modelling will include a low price of $9 per metric ton by 2030 (which would likely bring RI to 45% below 1990 emission levels), to a high price starting at $88 per metric ton (likely bring RI to 71% below 1990 by 2030).  The high price point came from the federal American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act, a US legislative proposal touted by RI US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.  The lowest model would start at $9 per metric ton in 2030 and go to $25 per metric ton by 2050.  The highest model (AOCFA) would start at $88 per metric ton in 2030 and go to $282 per metric ton in 2050.
 
What was very clear is that electric vehicles and electric heating of buildings are key to the models achieving the targets set in state statute, keeping in mind that the targets are “goals” and are not hard requirements enforceable by the courts.
 
The Consultants – Synapse and CADMUS – hope to have the final report completed November.  They have yet to add economic and health issues to the models.  They acknowledged that the modelling will assume a regional approach with neighboring states on board.  Without the regional approach, it is difficult to predict the health effects because migration of GHG would still exist, and economic predictions become more difficult as businesses and individuals can move across borders.

 At the State House
 
No hearings have been scheduled for this week.  The staff at the State House is reportedly returning to the building this week. 
 
September Primary
 
Today is Primary Day in Rhode Island! If you have not voted yet, please take the time to visit your polling place today. 
 
RI Mobility Innovation Working Group
 
The EC4 Committee established a working group to develop ideas of how to decarbonize the transportation sector in the State of Rhode Island.  This group held a two-hour zoom meeting last week.  Dan Sperling, from the Institute of Transportation Studies in California led the meeting with a presentation which can be summed up in his vision of “Heaven” and “Hell.”  Heaven would have 100% electric vehicle use, a clean energy mix for transportation, public transit, shared intelligent vehicles and better livability for people.  Hell would have increased congestion, electricity produced with coal, increased travel demand, a more car dependent society, and a decreased role for mass transit.  Sperling reported that California is about to adopt legislation requiring Uber/Lyft vehicles to be electric only and to provide more pooling services.
 
The second presentation came from Dream Corp – Green For All, a Rhode Island organization that looks at demographic information and how it relates to green energy.  According to Green For All, people of color have longer commute times and they tend to own no vehicles; and that dynamic is coupled with a lack of diversity and good jobs in the clean transportation workforce. The organization states that 8% of white families do not own a vehicle, 18% of families of color do not own a vehicle and 20% of Latino families do not own vehicles.  Green For All believes that “Equality” is achieved when everyone gets something; “Equity” is achieved when everyone gets what they need.  The organization is pushing Rhode Island to achieve Equity.
 
Terry Gray, Deputy Director for Environmental Protection (DEM), provided an update on TCI – the cap and trade program for gasoline, diesel and heating oil.  Due to COVID-19, the timetable has changed slightly.  The Governors of 12-13 states hope to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) late fall, followed by the adoption of a model rule for how the states would implement the program - including how to track compliance and run the auctions for credits.  The participating states hope to have the program details worked out in 2021, and to hold the first auction in 2022.  The TCI program is expected to raise millions of dollars from the fuel position holders (owners of fuel at the distribution point in each state), which in turn would raise the price of fuel and act as an incentive for individuals and businesses to switch to renewable fuel sources for transportation and heating purposes.
 
The meeting ended with the statement that “Rhode Island is positioned to be a leader in transportation transformation.”

Delight yourself with an night out with our area restaurants - participate in a raffle and win BIG!
FIRST PRIZE: $350 CASH!
SECOND PRIZE: Win a Discover Newport Getaway Package which includes a two-night stay at one of the many hotels, inns, or B&B's in Newport's classic coast destination.   
THIRD PRIZE:  Win a KEEL Cooler filled with goodies! 
Win lots of raffle prizes!
1.  Purchase your ticket for $20 at the Chamber www.eastbaychamberri.org or by calling the office 401-245-0750, Each ticket holder will receive a free dessert or other offering with the purchase of a meal from all participating restaurants.
2.  Visit at least 4 of the restaurants during  the Month of October  
3.  Have your ticket validated at each participating restaurant after your meal.
4.  Return your validated ticket booklet to the Chamber office to be entered into our fabulous Raffle!
5.  Every restaurant validation over the 4 you dine at, will get you another raffle ticket! 

Participating Restaurants will be offering a special KEEL Vodka Cocktail! 
Ask for the Chamber Cocktail!
Participating Restaurants  (more will be added)
Barrington:
Spaghetti Lane, 8 Anoka Ave, Barrington, RI 02806 www.spaghettilane.com
Leon's Cate and Catering, 230 Waseca Ave, Barrington, RI 02806 www.leonscafecatering.com

Warren:
 Uptown Food & Spirits, 437 Main St, Warren, RI 02885 www.uptownfoodandspirits.com
Rhody Roots, 511 Main St, Warren, RI 02885 www.rhodyroots.com
Hometown Tavern, 623 Matacom Ave., Warren RI 02885  https://www.hometowntavernri.com/
The Revival Craft Kitchen and Bar, 50 Miller St, Warren, RI 02885 https://therevivalcraftkitchenandbar.com/   
Bevvies Juice Bar, 436 Main St., Warren RI  https://bevviesbar.square.site/s/order
Bristol:
BaBa Sushi, 205 Thames St. Bristol, RI 02809 https://babasushi.com/
The Casual Inn Restaurant, 170 Franklin St, Bristol, RI 02809  https://thecasualinnrestaurant.com/
The Lobster Pot, 119 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809  www.lobsterpotri.com
Portside Tavern,  444 Thames St, Bristol, RI 02809 www.portsidetavern.com
The Beach House, 805 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809 www.thebeachhouseri.com
Roberto's Restaurant, 450 Hope St, Bristol, RI 02809  https://robertosbristol.com/
Rivers & Rhodes, 382 Thames Street  Bristol, RI 02809 www.riversandrhodesri.com 
SS Dion Restaurant, 520 Thames St., Bristol, RI 02809
www.ssdion.com
Seekonk:
KC's Burger Bar, 1379 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, MA 02714 www.kcsburgerbar.com

Media Sponsor: i3 Broadband
Sponsored by:  BANKFIVE
 Keel Vodka, Parker Mills, Navagant Credit Union, Farmer & First, CPA's, Ramada Inn & Conference Center, The Bay
Call the Chamber office at 245-0750 for more info, or email info@eastbaychamberri.org
Event Item NameExpiresPricingTicket / 1 per personNov 01, 2020$20.00

$500 SponsorshipNov 01, 2020$500.00
$300 SponsorshipNov 01, 2020$300.00
$100 SponsorshipNov 01, 2020$100.00

Sponsorsi3 Broadband

​At the State House
 
No hearings have been scheduled for this week.  The staff at the State House is continuing to work virtually due to safety concerns.
 
September Primary
 
The September primary is approaching quickly – September 8th.  If you have not requested a mail ballot, you still have two options to vote.  For many state representatives and state senators, the primary is THE election because they have no opponent in November.  That makes this primary extremely important. 
 
If you wish to vote in person on September 8th, you can find your voting location at https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Home/PollingPlaces?ActiveFlag=2
 
Registered voters also have the option to vote early in-person between August 19th and September 8th.  In the 20 days leading up to Election Day, you can vote in person at your city or town hall during their regular business hours. This is a great option if you are unable to vote at your usual polling place on Election Day, or if you have run out of time to request a mail ballot.  Simply go to your local board of canvassers in your city/town  https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Elections/LocalBoards, present a valid photo ID, fill out the ballot that is given to you and then place it into the voting machine – Done!

At the State House
 
Last Week
 
Last week the House Finance Committee was provided a briefing on Governor Raimondo’s request for a major increase in bond authorization, as well as a couple new bills introduced by the House Speaker and House Finance Chairman.  Should the General Assembly include any or all bond requests in the FY2021 budget, those requests would then be placed on the ballot for consideration by Rhode Island voters.
 
The Governor’s request to amend Article 5 - Capital Bonding includes the following:
 
1.  Additional $5 million for recreational facility improvements, and I-195 infrastructure
 
2.  Additional $223 million for housing and infrastructure of which $40 million would go to community development housing projects, $107 million for health laboratories, $35 million for off-shore wind, and industrial land preparation projects, $11 million for Quonset dredging of Pier II, and a new $30 million bond for transportation infrastructure to make up for the decrease in gas tax revenue
 
Topic                                           Original Request            New Article              Change

Higher Education                         $117.3 million               $117.3 million              $0
Environment & Recreation          $  64.0 million               $  69.0 million             $5 mill
Housing & Infrastructure             $  87.5 million               $310.5 million            $223.0 mill
 
Total Bond Request                     $268.8 million               $496.8 million            $228.0 mill

 
Treasurer Magaziner, provided testimony through his staff suggesting the State could withstand an additional $200 million in bonding in order to assist in the economic rebuilding of the Rhode Island as a result of the COVID pandemic.  In June, the Treasurer’s office acknowledged that the original bond proposal exceeded 1 of 4 recommended limits used when evaluating debt proposals, but also stated that limits can be exceeded in times unforeseen events.
 
The Environment & Recreation bond shifts $1 million from the RICAP (a state pay–as-you-go fund) for beaches, parks and campgrounds to a bond and also shifts $4 million for the I-195 Park to a bond.
 
The House Finance staff provided background information in the area of housing bonds.  In 2006, RI voters approved a $50 million housing bond that was ultimately used to fund 1,077 rental units and 149 ownership units for a total of 1,226 units.  In 2012, the passage of a $25 million bond brought 726 rental units and 22 ownership units into the marketplace.  In 2016, the voters approved a $40 million bond that allowed 1,078 rental units and 42 ownership units to be created.  The new proposal calls for a $65 million bond of which $45 million would be used for the Affordable Housing program for purchase and rehab of housing units, pre-development expenses, home repairs and in-law apartments.  Twenty million dollars of the bond would be used form community revitalization programs.
 
For a more thorough look at what is in the proposal, the House fiscal staff review can be accessed at:  http://www.rilegislature.gov/Special/comdoc/House%20Finance/07-29-2020%20%20July%2029%20Debt%20and%20TANS.pdf  The Department of Health’s presentation on the medical laboratory can be viewed at:  http://www.rilegislature.gov/Special/comdoc/House%20Finance/07-29-2020%20%20RIDOH%20COE%20for%20Laboratory_7.29.pdf
And Secretary Pryor’s presentation on the economic development portion of the bond request can be accessed at:  http://www.rilegislature.gov/Special/comdoc/House%20Finance/07-29-2020%20%20Commerce%20RI%20House%20Finance%20Bond%20Hearing_7.29.2020.pdf
 
Two bills introduced last week were held by the House Finance Committee for further study.  Under current law, the General Assembly may only spend 97% of general revenues.  Three percent of the revenues go into the State’s Rainy Day Fund.  If the Rainy Day Fund exceeds 5% of revenues, then the amount over the 5% threshold goes into the State’s capital account.  In 2006, RI voters changed the State Constitution to require the capital account (RICAP) to be used for projects only – not to pay down State debt.
 
H.8119 asks voters to increase the amount sent each year to the Rainy Day Fund to 5% of general revenues, meaning the State could only “spend” 95% of the estimated general revenue instead of 97%.  The bill also increases the threshold amount from 5% to 10%, meaning more money could build up in the Rainy Day Fund before it was shifted to the capital account to be spent on pay-as-you-go projects.
 
H.8120 calls for the same final result as H.8119, but spaces the fiscal changes over a ten year period.  The amount of money deposited into the Rainy Day Fund would increase by .2% increments over the 10 years to get to 95%; and the increase in the amount held in the Rainy Day Fund before transferring it to the capital fund would increase in .5% increments.
 
 
The following new bills were filed last week:
 
House Resolution No. 8119   Mattiello, Abney, JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE (LIMITATIONS ON STATE SPENDING) (This joint resolution proposes to submit to the electors a proposition to amend the constitution by increasing funding of the budget reserve account, also known as the "Rainy Day Fund", and limiting state spending.)
 
House Bill No. 8120  Mattiello, Abney, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE BUDGET RESERVE AND CASH STABILIZATION ACCOUNT (This act would increase funding of the budget reserve account, also known as the "Rainy Day Fund," and would limit state spending.)

​At the State House
 
At the time of writing Under the Dome, only one hearing has been posted for this week.  Congress continues to discuss and debate various aid packages; and until that process is complete, it will be difficult for the State to move forward on a budget.  Please continue to watch your email.  We will notify you if something new comes to light.
 
Tuesday, July 28th  
 
The Senate Finance Committee will take testimony at 4:00 p.m. on the Governor’s Budget Article 20, Section 13 (RIte Share). 
 
The proposal requires businesses with 50+ employees to:
 
(1) Submit an annual report to the Executive Office and Health and Human Services and the Division of Taxation providing “sufficient and necessary information for the Medicaid agency to determine employee eligibility for RIte Share.  This language is concerning because no one knows for sure what it means.  Is it simply a list of employees who are covered by insurance and the health insurance plan offered by business? Is it a more comprehensive report providing personal information about each employee that does not have coverage including family income, size or alternate health care information?  Failure to submit the information requested results in a $5000 fine which is too high.
(2) Submit quarterly reports outlining which employees are enrolled in the employer’s health care plan and which employees are not covered.  The quarterly report must also include the names of individuals no longer employed by the business.  Failure to file this report brings a fine of $2500 – again, too high. 
(3)  Refrain from offering employees a financial incentive to turn down the employer’s health insurance and remain on Medicaid.  This language could be interpreted to ban giving employees a bump in pay if they do not take the employer’s health insurance.  Some employees choose to take a spouse’s or a parent’s health coverage.  We want to be sure employees are not penalized for making good family choices, nor are employers penalized by requiring double health coverage on employees which would be a waste of economic resources.
It unclear whether these provisions would apply to businesses with 50 or more individuals working; or if, like the Affordable Care Act, it would apply to businesses with 50 or more FTEs (employees working 30 or more hours a week).  The ACA also excludes seasonal businesses where employees work less than 120 days a year or less than 4 calendar months. 
Members of the public may submit written testimony to: SLegislation@rilegislature.gov  Testimony submitted prior to 3:00 PM on the date of the hearing will be provided to the members of the committee at the hearing and will be included in the meeting records. Testimony submitted after that time will be placed on file.
 
 

​At the State House
 
Both the House and Senate Finance Committees are meeting this week to continue their preparations for the creation of a FY2021 budget.
 
Tuesday, July 21st
 
The House Finance Committee will take testimony at 4:00 p.m. on the Governor’s Budget Article 2, sections 2-5, and Article 3, section 1-4, 6, 8 and 10.
 
Article 2 addresses the use of the Opioid Assessment Fund, a $5 million assessment levied on manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers of prescription opioid drugs.  In reality, most of the assessment falls on the distributors – the entities that deliver the prescription drugs from the manufacturers to the pharmacies.
Article 3, section 1, starts out addressing the licensing of home inspectors.  The passage of a licensing test was required up to July, 2019.  Article 3 moves the test requirement date to December 31 2019.  It also provides an alternative avenue for licensing of two years in the practice of conducting home inspections and 150 home inspections completed prior to December 31, 2019.  Under current law, the inspections had to be complete prior to July 1, 2013.  This may be a clean-up section to address those who failed to achieve the hours or inspection requirements by the July 2019 date.
The Article has similar language for well-drilling contractors (section 2).   Current law calls for the implementation of a test requirement starting January 1, 2018.  This Article changes the written testing date to July 1, 2020.
Licensing for roofing contractors (under section 3) would become a two-year license instead of a one-year license and would allow them to spread the ten continuing roofing education requirements over two years.  The Article eliminates the need to obtain a $100,000 bond for each single project undertaken but would increase the insurance certificate amount from $1.5 million to $2 million.  Lastly, the Article extends the testing grandfather clause (no test required) if the roofer was registered and in good standing by July 1, 2015 (current law says July 1, 2003).
Article 3, section 4, changes the way payments made by individuals convicted of a crime are distributed.  Current law calls for restitution to the victim first, then court cost, fees and fines.  This proposal calls for the court costs and expenses related to prosecution to be paid first, then restitution, then court fines and fees. The State has the right to sell seized property that was obtained illegally if that property would otherwise be destroyed and the property is not harmful to the public.  Ten percent (10%) of the funds raised through the sale of the property currently goes to the Department of Health.  Article 3 proposed to divert that 10% to the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) for substance abuse prevention and treatment programs.
Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) skills tests would be transferred from CCRI to DMV with the fee set at $100 per test under section 6 of the Article.
Last year’s budget established a pilot program for the collection of debts owed to the State.  This budget Article 3, section 8, requires all agencies and quasi-public agencies to participate in the debt collection program by October 1, 2020.  It gives the Department of Revenue the ability to negotiate settlements.  If less than 50% of the debt is collected, the new collection unit keeps 15%.
 
The House Finance Committee will also hear H.7531, An Act Relating to Taxation.  This bill was submitted at the request of the Department of Revenue.  H.7531 requires larger businesses to file taxes electronically beginning January 1, 2021.  “Larger business” is defined as a business that has an annual combined tax liability, payable to the Division of Taxation, of $5000 or more.  The definition also includes any business whose annual gross income is over $100,000 for the entity.  Failure to file the correct tax amount electronically, will subject the business to a penalty of 5% of the tax liability amount not filed, or $500, whichever is less.  An additional penalty of $50 can also be assessed by the Division.  If passed, the new procedure would be required for the 2020 tax year for taxes due January 1, 2021 and thereafter.
 
 
Written testimony to the House Finance Committee should be submitted to cobrien@rilegislature.gov . For those who would prefer the option to provide verbal testimony please send an email to cobrien@rilegislature.gov  with the following information: Bill # (or specific topic) you are testifying on, For/Against, Your Name and Phone number (to be reached for your testimony) and Affiliation: (if any) *Deadline to request verbal testimony is Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 11am.
 
 
The Senate Finance Committee will accept testimony on the Governor’s newly proposed Article providing appropriations for an Education Center in Northern Rhode Island to be located on Main Street in Woonsocket.  The language can be found at: http://www.omb.ri.gov/documents/Prior%20Year%20Budgets/Operating%20Budget%202021/Amendments/2_New%20Article%20-%20Relating%20to%20Lease%20Approval.pdf
Members of the public wishing to testify may submit written testimony to: SLegislation@rilegislature.gov
 
 
Wednesday July 22nd  
 
The Senate Finance Committee will accept testimony at 4:00 pm on Article 20 (all of the Article EXCEPT section 13 RIte Share) of the Governor’s proposed budget. It seeks to insert into state law, the federal Affordable Care Act to ensure that should the federal government disband the program, Rhode Island would continue on its own.  It also makes other changes to health insurance.  The Article removes insurer’s ability to use prior continuous coverage for one year as an eligibility requirement to enter the individual health insurance market.  Carriers must offer all of their health insurance plans to any Rhode Island resident.  Carriers cannot require copays or deductibles or other cost-sharing mechanisms for preventative services provided by in-network providers.  This same requirement applies to large group health insurance coverage or to small employer health insurance plans.
The Article creates multi-state licensing compact programs for physicians, nurses (RNs and LPN/VNs), psychologists and telepsychologists, physical therapists, and emergency medical personnel (EMTs, advanced EMTs and paramedics).  All of these compacts require the states to establish a common database of licensees and to communicate complaints received as well as any actions taken against bad actors.
The Committee will also accept testimony on the Governor’s proposed new Article concerning telemedicine.  The proposed Article seeks to place, in statute, a health care benefit adopted to face the challenges that came with the arrival of the COVID19 pandemic, a highly contagious viral infection.  In response to necessary shelter-in-place requirements, Governor Raimondo signed an Executive order calling for insurers to cover telemedicine visits while the coronavirus emergency continued.  The Executive Order included a ban on co-pays or cost-sharing measures as many Rhode Islanders lost jobs and struggled with income. 
 
Telemedicine is a useful tool and certainly provides valuable services to individuals.  In some instances, telemedicine has the opportunity to help a patient AND save the health care system time and money.  In other instances, telemedicine can cost the system money while providing less effective patient care. 
 
This Article is different from the Senate bill that passed the Senate June 17th, but has some similar goals.  The proposed Article creates one process from now until June 30, 2021, and a different process starting July 1, 2021.
 
From now until June 30, 2021, the term “telemedicine” would include real time two-way audio visual communication and audio-only telephone communication.  It specifically excludes email, texts or fax communication which is helpful.  Insurers could not exclude coverage for telemedicine as long as it is “medically appropriate” (although the determination of appropriateness has to take into consideration any existing public health emergency).  No copay or deductible can be charged by the insurer in “excess of what would be charged” for an in person visit.  In-network primary care visits and behavioral health visits could not require a prior authorization from the insurer; and insurers cannot dictate certain technology requirements for telemedicine visits.  Lastly, rates paid to “in network” providers must be the same for telemedicine as for in-person visits.  There is a question that needs to be asked – is it appropriate to charge the same for a telephone call as for an “in-person” visit?  The answer may be “yes” for certain appointments like a half hour psychologist session; but it may be “no” for an audio-only annual physical vs. an in-person annual physical. 
Starting July 1, 2021, “telemedicine” would no longer include audio only visits (nor would email, fax or text be covered as an appointment).  Insurers could begin to adopt different provider payments for telemedicine visits, but they must still cover telemedicine if it is “medically appropriate.”  Lastly, insurers can impose a deductible or copay for telemedicine.  These changes seem positive as long as “medically appropriate” is determined using quality data and utilization information.
 
The proposed Article also includes the creation of a stakeholder advisory group.  The Chamber asked for the inclusion of such a group in its testimony on the Senate telemedicine bill.  The stakeholder group is charged with reviewing utilization data and recommending rates and policies surrounding telemedicine.  The Governor’s proposed new Article does not list who would be included as a member of the stakeholder group.  The Chamber continues to advocate for equal representation from the business community (purchasers of insurance and self-insureds), insurance providers, health care providers, regulators and user representatives.  If this group is to be effective, it must be balanced.  This task force could look at what disciplines make sense for telemedicine visits, as well as how to create a system to ensure provider visits are necessary and effective, and to recommend elements that should be adopted in a system that is cost-effective and affordable.  Any increase in health insurance premiums would only serve to hurt those businesses that are trying to get our state’s economy going again.
 
Lastly, the proposed new Article pushes the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner into the business of adopting new laws.  The recommendations and ideas that come forward from the stakeholder group, created under this Article, would go to OHIC; and OHIC would determine what changes should be made in the insurance coverage world. 
 
Members of the public wishing to testify may submit written testimony to: SLegislation@rilegislature.gov
 
 
 
The following new bills were filed last week:
 
House Resolution No. 8106  Shekarchi, Casimiro, Ackerman, Serpa, Craven,  HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STATUS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR RHODE ISLAND'S NURSING HOMES (Creates a 15 member commission to study and provide recommendations on the status and requirements for Rhode Island's nursing homes, and who would report back by April 15, 2021, and would expire on July 15, 2021.)
 
House Bill No. 8113  Casimiro, Caldwell, Shekarchi, McEntee, Alzate, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION (Designates physical, occupational, speech, and music therapies and behavioral health services as essential special services to be provided to students with disabilities during times of a declared emergency.)
 
House Resolution No. 8116  Williams, Blazejewski, Alzate, Giraldo, Vella-Wilkinson, HOUSE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT GOVERNOR RAIMONDO ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS DUE TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19), WHILE AT THE SAME TIME EXPLORING WAYS TO PROTECT LANDLORDS


House Bill No. 8117  Williams, Hull, Blazejewski, Alzate, Slater, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (Redefines contractor and minority business enterprise to include any business, profit or nonprofit, organized under laws of any state, even if located outside RI, would apply to RIDOT contracts and relieves businesses from having limit on its net worth.)