A “Brief” Update from the State House

 
 
Phase III of Legislative Session to Begin
 
Last week the legislature was on break, thus leaving little to say about legislative activity.  This will mark the beginning of the third phase of the legislative session.  Between now and July 1st the legislature will endeavor to pass a budget and negotiate controversial bills if possible, and decide which less contentious bills will become law in 2018.   This week the following bills will be considered:
 
Wednesday -
 
The House Judiciary Committee will take testimony on H.7500 (Reps Shanley, Coughlin, Solomon, Blazejewski, and Barros) which requires all residential property landlords to have a general liability insurance policy in place to cover up to $100,000 for those injured on the premises due to the landlord’s negligence.  A landlord must be able to show proof of coverage in any trespass action or possession action, otherwise the case cannot move forward until the liability policy is in full force and effect.
 
Unemployment benefits is the topic of discussion in the Senate Labor Committee.  S.2806 (Senator McCaffrey) increases the maximum weekly unemployment benefit rate to the higher of fifty-seven and one-half percent (57.5%) of the average weekly wages paid to workers in the prior calendar year or six hundred sixteen dollars ($616) per week.  The current maximum benefit rate is $566 per week – the 10th highest in the country.  S.2806 would also increase the maximum weekly dependents’ allowance from $141 to $154. 
 
 
The following bills were filed last week:
 
Due to the legislative break, no bills of interest were filed.