House Committee Passes Rules
The House Committee on Rules passed proposed rules for the 2019-20 legislative years.  Historically, few people outside the state house paid much attention to the rules, but this year was different.  Over two hours of testimony was presented at a hearing.  The bill that will go before the House floor this week contains two significant changes:  1. A required 24- hour public posting of committee substitute bills prior to committee votes; and 2. The creation of a Committee on Conduct. 
The 24 hour posting requirement will not apply to the budget, which makes sense.  The budget is different from every other bill in that is must sit on the House floor for 7 days prior to a full house vote - giving plenty of time for legislators and the public to review the Substitute bill passed by the House Finance Committee. The proposed rule also states that a Chair of a Committee may waive the 24 hour posting requirement if the change in the bill is technical, grammatical or not substantive in nature.   
The Committee on Conduct would be responsible for investigating any claims of sexual harassment that takes place during the business of the House. 
Committee memberships can be assigned once the rules are passed by the House.
 
Governor’s Task Force on Plastics
Governor Raimondo established a Task Force to Study the reduction of the use of plastics.  Four subcommittees were established, including one on legislative activity.  Three meetings have taken places with members of both the environmental community and the business community.  At the last meeting, it appeared that a recommendation might come forward that would ban the use of plastic bags and allow businesses to charge a fee to customers that wish to use a paper bag.  The discussion included the idea of allowing a business to keep the fee collected in order to defray some of the increased cost of using paper over plastic bags.  The business community strongly advocated for preemption language to ensure that the rules are consistent across the state.  It is as yet unclear what a final bill will look like and whether a consensus will be reached between the members of the subcommittee.  A final meeting will be held January 22.
Another subcommittee of the Task Force is asking businesses and organizations for examples of programs or policies used to minimize or eliminate the use of single use plastics.  A survey has been developed and can be found at http://bit.ly/DEMplastics-survey  . As the subcommittee stated, “We have heard anecdotally and through first hand stories that many RI businesses have taken action on their own on this issue.  We’d like to collect and share these stories, looking for ways to provide guidance and examples to others as part of our work group effort.”
 
Governor’s State of the State Address
Governor Gina Raimondo will be delivering her State of the State Address 7:00 p.m Tuesday, January 15th.
 
The following bills were filed last week:
House Bill No. 5045  McNamara, Millea, Ackerman, Jackson, Nardone, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - E-911 UNIFORM EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM DIVISION (Mandates that the E-911 uniform emergency telephone system division develop and commence operation of a text-to-911 emergency system on January 1, 2020.)
 
House Bill No. 5048  Solomon, Jackson, McNamara, O'Brien, Vella-Wilkinson, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION (Creates a sales tax holiday for the days of August 10, 2019 and August 11, 2019.)
 
House Resolution No. 5049  Carson, JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $12,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $12,000 to the Department of Transportation for a flower bulb planting machine.)
 
House Bill No. 5080  Lombardi, Hull, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MOTOR VEHICLES REPARATION ACT (Penalizes driving any motor vehicle that is required to be registered in this or any other state without insurance and without proof of insurance.)
 
House Bill No. 5093  Lombardi, Hull, Quattrocchi, Nardone, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION (Provides that any rate increase with respect to electric distribution companies would be no greater than the increase in the Consumer Price Index or five and one-half percent (5.5%), whichever is greater.)
 
House Bill No. 5097  Bennett, Lima, Williams, Blazejewski, Barros, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Raises the existing minimum wage of ten dollars and fifty cents ($10.50) to eleven dollars and fifty cents ($11.50) on January 1, 2020, and then increase to twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) on January 1, 2021.)
 
House Bill No. 5098  McNamara, Corvese, Jackson, McLaughlin, Fellela, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION (Exempts self-employed sole practicing investigators operating independently from any partnership, corporation, limited liability company or association from the sale tax imposed on services.)
 
House Bill No. 5099  Phillips, Solomon, Morin, McNamara, Johnston, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- ENFORCEMENT AND COLLECTION (Eliminates the ten dollar ($10.00) fee requirement for the sales tax permit.)
 
House Bill No. 5116  Ackerman, Shekarchi, Edwards, McNamara, Blazejewski, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW - GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS - DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES (Requires retail establishments to accept cash in payment for goods and services.)

Meet Your Legislators at 'Coffee and Commerce'
Speaker of the House of Representatives Nicholas Mattiello will be joining with East Bay area legislators for a “Coffee and Commerce” breakfast event, hosted by the East Bay Chamber of Commerce. Held  Friday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 a.m. at the Events Room (directly behind Tom’s Market) at 16 Cutler St., Warren, the event is open to chamber members and the public.
Admission is $5 for chamber members and $10 for guests.
 Continental breakfast will be provided by Bristol Bagel Works
YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER: Click Here

Guests will have a chance to listen to and ask questions of their legislators, including Speaker Mattiello, Sen. Walter Felag, Rep. Ken Marshall, Rep. Jason Knight, Rep. Liana Cassar,  Sen. Jim Seveney and Rep. Donovan

​****  Construction on Hope Street in Bristol  - We need your Feedback! 
 
The RI Department of Transportation has plans to replace the Silver Creek Bridge on Hope Street in front of Sip 'N Dip Donuts in Bristol.  They will start preparing for the project with work on the utility lines after the July 4th celebration through the fall of 2019.  There will be partial road closures during this time,
RIDOT will maintain traffic flow in both directions during this phase. 
 
  After the July 4, 2020 celebration, they will start demolishing the bridge and the road will be closed at that time, which will run through the fall.  Detours would be set up to allow traffic to reach either side of the bridge while avoiding the construction.  Signs would be placed calling out Businesses Open During Construction.   DOT would also be constructing a temporary pedestrian and bike path to allow bike and pedestrian access in both directions throughout construction.
 
The East Bay Chamber is monitoring the plans for this project and would like to provide feedback from our members as to the potential impact to their businesses during this time.  We are asking for your feedback this week so we can relay this information to the RIDOT.  We would prefer responses by email info@eastbaychamberri.org , but you may also give us a call at the Chamber office 245-0750.  

George Charette, President and CEO, is pleased to announce the opening of their newest branch, at 576 Metacom Avenue, Bristol (located in Belltower Square). This full-service branch features a contemporary interior design, 24 hour drive-up ATM, safe deposit boxes, a night depository box and a knowledgeable team of trained professionals under the supervision of Branch Manager, Bryan Cirillo.
For more information, call 401-722-2212 or visit Pawtucket Credit Union on the web at www.pcu.org

Grace Barker Health, a skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, assisted living and adult day healthprovider located in Warren, believes in the healing power of pets.
 
But the elderly individuals who live in Grace Barker's skilled nursing and assisted living residences simply don't have the wherewithal to care for a pet. "Many aren't able to care for themselves or don't have the proper space to be a pet owner, but their hearts are certainly open to it," states Mary Beth Lescault, co-owner/administrator and director of nursing at Grace Barker Health. "Their eyes light up and their demeanors always change when a pet comes to visit our facilities."
 
Grace Barker Health purchased a number of "Joy for All" robotic animal companions, a product line originally launched in 2015 by Pawtucket-based Hasbro, Inc. and recently acquired by Ageless Innovation, LLC. These animatronic dogs and cats are designed to provide interactive companionship, comfort, and joy for older adults to combat loneliness, social isolation and cognitive decline. Each battery-operated animal features built-in sensors to respond to motion and touch, a heartbeat that can be felt, realistic fur, and authentic sounds such as barking and purring.
 
"The response to these Joy For All animals is amazing," states Lescault. 

Congratulations to the 2018 Award Recipients honored at the East Bay Chamber Annual Awards Ceremony Oct. 17, 2018 at the Ramada Banquet and Conference Center. 

L-R: Chamber Member of the Year Stephanie Borden, Emerging Leader Juliana Olmstead, Citizens of the Year Angela and Joseph Sousa, Business of the Year Jimmy Stuart's Floor Covering & Cleaning
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​The 2018 legislative session has come to an end.  The Chamber actively monitored 233 bills this year.  Of those, the chamber supported the passage of 51 bills; opposed 168 bills; and actively monitored 14 bills to ensure they were not amended during the session.  Thank you for your continued interest in Under the Dome.   Mark your calendars – Wednesday, September 12th is Primary Day! (the primary will be held on a Wednesday due to a religious holiday)
 
Bills Supported:
 
Of the 51 bills supported by the Chamber, 10 passed into law. 
 
            H.7290 SubA – Pawsox establishes the framework to allow the City of Pawtucket and the State of Rhode Island to enter into an agreement to build a new Pawtucket Redsox stadium.  The team leadership is reviewing the proposal to determine if they wish to move forward.
 
            H.7080 SubA and S.2145 SubA.  On July 1, 2019, city and town clerks or recorders of deeds will have the option to accept electronic documents for recording real property land records.  This will save both municipalities and the parties to a real estate transaction time and money.
 
            H.7251 SubA and S.2763 SubA.  These bills allow an individual who is applying for a commercial driver’s license (CDL), or renewing a CDL, to submit the medical examiner’s certificate to the Department of Motor Vehicles by electronic transmission.  The new law requires the DMV to add a menu item to its website to allow for the electronic submission of the required medical document.
 
            S.2934 SubA.  This new law establishes a reinsurance program that provides reinsurance to health insurance carriers offering coverage on the individual market.  The intent of the reinsurance program is to mitigate the impact of high-risk, high-cost individuals on the cost of health insurance premiums in the state by covering the costs of those individuals beyond a specific threshold.  The program is to be funded through federal dollars.  Without federal funding the program will not be implemented.
 
            H.7104. H. 7140 helps to address the problems caused by road and bridge construction by requiring DOT to identify the impact of such projects on small businesses and to share that information with Commerce with at least two months’ notice.  Commerce is then required to assist businesses affected by road and bridge construction by sharing information with the small businesses in the affected communities, informing them of the resources and programs available to them to minimize the economic and financial impact of the construction, and meeting with affected businesses as necessary.
 
            H.7121. This new law requires the director of administration and the commissioner of health insurance to seek a waiver under Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for the purpose of allowing self-employed and sole proprietors to purchase insurance in the small group market. This is an enabling legislation which would allow business owners to decide the best financial route to providing healthcare for their employees.
 
            H.7385 SubA.  The passage of this law extends the sunset requiring mediation conferences prior to mortgage foreclosures to 2023.  The current law was scheduled to sunset July 1, 2018.  The law also reduces the fees paid by mortgage holders to RI Housing from $500 per “engagement” to $100 per “mediation engagement.”  RI Housing was collecting fees even if the mortgagor chose not to participate in any mediation activity. 
 
            H.7807. H.7807 requires the Office of Energy Resource to study the electric and natural gas efficiency programs to determine if the measures are achieving energy savings and to make recommendations for changes if appropriate. 
 
 
Bills Monitored:
 
Of the 14 bills monitored by the Chamber, 1 passed into law.
 
            H.8122aa.   http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText18/HouseText18/H8122.pdf  eliminates red tape requirements on various business entities such as, common carriers, mobile homes, manufacture wholesalers, barbers, hairdressers, manicurists, optometrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, mental health counselors, marriage therapists and massage therapists. 
 
 
Bills Opposed.
 
Of the 168 bills opposed by the Chamber, 8 passed into law.  All but one of the bills that passed added mandates to the state’s health insurance coverage plans.
 
            H.7625 SubA and S.2529 SubA.  The Contraceptive coverage bill was changed dramatically prior to passage.  The bill now states that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services must apply for federal approval to provide 365 days of coverage from contraceptive from a single prescription written for a patient.  Additionally, after April 1, 2019, if an insurance plan covers contraceptives, then it must cover 365 days for contraceptives.
 
            H.7002 SubA and S.2224 SubA.  These bills, now law, require health insurers to cover the entire cost of mastectomies as well as reconstruction following the procedure.  The insurance must cover costs of treatments covered by physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses (prior law covered only attending physicians).  Co-pays can no longer be charged by insurers nor can the costs fall under the individual’s deductible. 
 
            H.7800 SubA and S.2597 SubA.  This “Payment of Wages” bill was amended prior to passage.  The original language required employers to provide all documents and payments in paper form unless the employee opted out.  The law now reads:  “All statements and records required to be furnished to an employee by this section may be furnished as an electronic record. The employer shall furnish to an employee a printed or handwritten record, in lieu of an electronic record, at no cost to the employee, when a written authorization from such employee is provided to the employer.”
 
            H.7806 SubA.  All health insurance plans renewed after January 1, 2019, must include behavioral health counseling visits and medication maintenance visits as primary care visits for patient cost-sharing requirements.
 
            H.7855. This new law applies to all state and municipal construction contracts $250,000 or more.  These projects will now require a 5% retainage provision which can be utilized if the contractor and subcontractors dispute costs or quality of work.  Massachusetts’ retainage law goes into effect once the project reaches a cost of $3 million.

​Last Friday night, shortly before midnight, the House Finance Committee passed its version of the FY2019 budget.  The budget is considered a work in progress as a few Articles passed with the acknowledgement that an updated version will be hammered out prior to the budget vote by House floor on Friday.  The House is scheduled to go into session Friday, June 15th at 2:00 p.m. to debate and vote on the budget.  The following is a description of a number of items found in the Finance Committee passed budget:
 
Fees assessed on the offering of federal covered securities in Rhode Island could be increased under the Finance Committee budget.  The Governor had proposed increasing the maximum charge for the initial offering from $1000 to $1500.  The Finance Committee budget raises the maximum to $1750.  The Governor also proposed increasing the fee charged to open end management companies that file a “notice for an indefinite amount of securities” (and for a subsequent renewal) from $1000 to $1500.  The Finance Committee budget increased the fee to $1750.
 
The Finance Committee chose to keep the Governor’s proposed $100 fee increase on insurance claim adjusters (new fee will be $250)
 
Food service establishments will no longer have to obtain a frozen dessert license in addition to the license required to operate as a food service establishment.  An entity that is not a food service establishment but has frozen dessert machines will have to obtain the license.  Additionally, food safety certifications will last 5 years instead of 3 years. 
 
The E 911 fund was renamed the “Geographic Information System (GIS) and Technology Fund to describe more transparently the purpose of the fund.  The fee associated with the fee did not change.
 
The Finance Committee eliminated the 25 cent increase in the cigarette tax (the current tax is $4.25 per pack) as well as the tax on vapor products, cigars and smokeless tobacco. 
 
The Governor’s Real Jobs program did get funded, but the amount of interest to be taken from the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fund will be less.  The Governor included a diversion 100% of the UI interest earned on the fund to the Real Jobs program.  The House did not favor the taking of the funds leaving this issue as one of the last issues to reach resolution during the budget negotiations.  The Finance Committee lowered the diversion to 75% ($5.5 million) in efforts to ensure that the UI Fund continues to grow.  The Committee stated that this is a one-time authorization of the diversion of the interest. 
 
The Budget proposal sunsets the Jobs Training Tax Credits Act January 1, 2018.
 
The Rhode Island State Work Immersion Program – a “temporary, paid, work experience that provides a meaningful learning opportunity and increases the employability of the participant” - has been expanded to allow any Rhode Island resident to participate.  Under current law, only post-secondary school students, recent college graduates and unemployed adults could participate in the program.  Employers currently are eligible to receive a credit for up to 50% of the wages paid to a person for up to 400 hours of work during a 10 week period.  The Finance Committee budget increases the credit to 75% of the wages paid during the participant’s work experience.
 
Finally, the Finance Committee budget places a June 30th, 2020 sunset on a number of economic development programs:  Rebuild RI Tax Credit; RI Tax Increment Financing; Tax Stabilization Incentive; First Wave Closing Fund; I-195 Redevelopment Project Fund; Small Business Assistance Program; Stay Invested in RI Wavemaker Fellowship; Main Street RI Streetscape Improvement Fund; Innovation Initiative; Industry Cluster Grants; High School, College, and Employer Partnerships; and the RI New Qualified Jobs Incentive Act of 2015.
 
This Week At the State House
 
Many committees are meeting to consider bills such as immunity to entities or persons that donate food to a food bank, and the adoption of the federal electrical code.
 
One bill of note will be considered by the Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday.  S.2471 (Senators Ciccone, Calkin, Goldin, Euer and Nesselbush) establishes a cause of action against employers and employees for workplace bullying, harassment and other abusive conduct.  "Abusive conduct” is defined as “acts, omissions, or both, that a reasonable person would find abusive based on the severity, nature, and frequency of the conduct.”  An employer is vicariously liable for the actions of its employees, unless the employer can show it exercised reasonable care to prevent and promptly correct any actionable behaviors AND the employee failed to take appropriate preventative or corrective opportunities provided by the employer. 
 
 
The following bills were filed last week:
 
House Bill No. 8288
BY  Regunberg, Tanzi, Vella-Wilkinson, Casimiro, Donovan
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION - APPLICATION FOR TAX CREDITS, STATE FUNDS OR STATE CONTRACTS (Mandates applicants for state contracts in excess of $50K disclose discrimination complaints for prior 5 years.)
 
House Bill No. 8303
BY  Marszalkowski, Carson, Donovan, Casimiro, Handy
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - FOOD DONATIONS (Provides immunity to persons donating food to food banks.)