​BankNewport Mortgage Bankers Named Top Loan Originators
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (February 27, 2019) – BankNewport is pleased to announce that two of the Bank’s Mortgage Bankers, Gina Campbell Helm and Daniel M. Silverman, have been recognized as top Rhode Island loan originators for 2018 by The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman magazine.  Gina and Dan originated the most loans overall and the most purchase loans in their respective market areas.
 
Gina Helm, vice president and residential loan officer, ranked number one for number of loans generated by a bank loan originator in Bristol County, responsible for generating 54 loans totaling more than $16.9 million in 2018.  She was previously ranked number one in 2016 and number two in 2017 in the same market by The Warren Group. Gina joined BankNewport in 1998 and is a resident of Barrington.
 
Dan Silverman also ranked number one for number and volume of loans generated by a bank loan originator in Newport County market, with 88 loans totaling more than $27.6 million in 2018.  An East Greenwich resident, Dan joined BankNewport in 1998 and was ranked number one by the Warren Group in both 2016 and 2017 in this same market.
 
In 2018, BankNewport was the number one mortgage lender in Newport County and Bristol County, and ranked seventh overall for loan volume of the 500 lenders in Rhode Island.
 
About BankNewport
Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island.  In addition, OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of BankNewport, offers a broad range of property casualty insurance products and a full array of financial services.  With 17 banking offices and $1.6 billion in assets, BankNewport is one of the oldest community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees and communities. For more information, visit www.BankNewport.com.
 

(Middletown, RI): February 28, 2019 - People's Credit Union has donated five thousand dollars to the Bristol Warren Education Foundation (BWEF) through the United Way's Corporate MyFund™ Program which will go towards funding high-quality cross district student training that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management and developmental awareness. The check was presented by Bristol Branch Manager, Fatima Estrela, and Assistant Branch Manager, Stephanie Mendoza, with BWEF Board Members, parents and children of the Bristol Warren Regional School District.
 
"This donation and longer-term partnership with People's Credit Union will make a critical and meaningful difference in the creative learning experiences that will be enjoyed by all of the students of Bristol and Warren. We are so grateful for this demonstration of faith in the mission and work of the Bristol Warren Education Foundation and in the creative programs imagined by our wonderful educators, "stated Nicky Piper Board Chair of the Bristol Warren Education Foundation.
 
Fatima Estrela, Bristol Branch Manager added that "People's Credit Union is pleased to make this $5,000 donation to the Bristol Warren Education Foundation and to deepen our partnership in supporting programs and organizations that continue to enhance the communities that we serve."
 
ABOUT PEOPLE'S CREDIT UNION
 
People's offers a complete range of services including online and mobile banking, savings and checking accounts, personal loans, mortgages, business accounts, business loans, and financial services. Headquartered in Rhode Island, People's Credit Union is a member-owned, state chartered, federally insured, community credit union established in 1922. Membership is open to all individuals. Deposits are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government. For more information about People's Credit Union visit  peoplescu.com.
 
​
People's Credit Union staff presenting $5,000 donation check to the Bristol Warren Education Foundation
 Pictured left to right: Rowen Marle, Eve Marle, Sheila Dobbyn, Darcy DaCosta, Lizzy DaCosta, Nicky Piper, Charlotte Piper, Jock Hayes, Tyler Dixon, Joe Ciullo, Millie Piper, Stephanie Mendoza and Fatima Estrela

​House Finance Committee to Hear Sales Tax
On Thursday, February 28th at approximately 4:30 pm in Room 35, the House Finance Committee will take testimony on Article 5, Section 9 of the Governor’s budget.  This is the Article that expands the 7% sales tax to the following items:
    -  Digital  Downloads ($2.6 million) such as Audio Works like Netflix, on-demand movies, games, movie streaming; Digital Audio Works such as audio book downloads; Ringtones; Digital books
    -  Hunting, Trapping and Shooting Services ($.6 million)
    -  Lobbying Services ($.9 million)
    -  Interior Design Services ($.5 million)
    -  Commercial Buildings Services ($6.2 million) which specifically includes extermination services, commercial cleaning services, landscaping and maintenance services, carpet and upholstery clearing services and janitorial services.  These services, if performed in a private residence with a home office, are not taxable.
If you wish to testify, please come to Room 35 at the State House and sign your name on the sheet that is available.
 
What’s in the Governor’s Budget
Article 20 – Marijuana
Marijuana legalization is being discussed in so many forums that UTD has decided to skip ahead to provide an overview of this 126 page budget proposal addressing both medical marijuana and adult legalization.
The stated goal of Article 20 is to gain better control over the medical marijuana system, set limits on the potency of product sold to individuals not experiencing a medical need for cannabis, and to create a system for addressing the expected negative consequences of marijuana use.  It establishes the Office of Cannabis Regulation within the Department of Business Regulation (DBR) to regulate and enforce the provisions of the law. Interestingly, according to the Department of Business Regulation, 20% of the population uses 80% of the marijuana in Rhode Island. 
Medical Marijuana changes:

• Only RI doctors will be able to prescribe marijuana.  Today doctors in MA and CT can prescribe, leaving the Department of Health with no oversight if an over-prescribing physician is located in another state.  Patients will be required to renew their prescriptions with a RI doctor when the time to refill comes.
• Compassion centers will no longer be able to cultivate or manufacture marijuana.  They can still deliver, transfer, supply and sell paraphernalia.  The number of centers may increase from 3 to 9 with the hopes of driving down the cost through competition.  The application fee for a compassion center increases from $250 to $10,000.  To renew a license the fee increases from $5000 to $50,000.  The language includes a number of operational requirements from odor mitigation to product packaging and labeling to advertising.
• Reduces the number of plants a cardholder or a Caregiver can possess.  Before July 1, 2019, a cardholders/caregivers may have 12 mature plants and 12 immature plants with proper tags.  The person may also have 2.5 oz. of usable marijuana.  After July 1, 2019, the Governor proposes to reduce the number of plants to 6 mature and 6 immature plants, along with 3 oz. of useable marijuana.  Cardholders/caregivers would be required to obtain a registration card with DBR in order to get the necessary plant tags
• The Article proposes to allow landlords to choose whether to lease to someone who possesses, manufactures, smokes, or vaporizes marijuana in the leased premise.  This is new.  Currently, landlords can only stop a medical marijuana cardholder from cultivating on the property.  The costs associated with attempting to remove the smell that goes along with smoking marijuana is great.
• Article 20 gives a certified school nurse the authority to administer a non-smokable and non-vaporized from of medical marijuana in a school setting to a qualified patient.
• DBR is charged with setting up new licenses for medical marijuana such as a licensed processor that can obtain plants from cultivators, process it into products and sell to compassion centers.  Processors are subject to local ordinances and zoning laws; and DBR establishes product testing requirements and labeling requirements.

 
Adult Marijuana:

• Marijuana use would become legal for individuals 21 years of age and older. 
• DBR will issue licenses for cultivators (growing), processors (product manufacturers), and retailers (direct sales to end users).
• Starting January 1, 2020, it would be legal for a person at least 21 years old to obtain, transport and possess 1 oz or less of marijuana  A person would also be permitted to possess up to 5 oz. of product at his/her home in a locked box.  If there are 2 or more individuals over the age of 21 in the household, then 10 oz could be retained at home in a locked box.  
• Individuals could have product in a vehicle as long as it is in a sealed container – similar to Rhode Islands, liquor laws.
• Retailers can deliver product to an adult’s home as long as the delivery is no more than 1 oz per day to that person.
• No person can smoke, vaporize or consume marijuana/cannabis in a public place.  A violation brings a $150 administrative fine as well as the potential for a municipal fine.  No person can use in a housing unit under a city housing authority, low to moderate income housing or the Block Island Housing Board.  Lastly, individuals may not use these products around a multi-unit housing complex without the written permission of the owner or the governing body of the complex.  Violators can be evicted.
• Article 20 does provide for a “social use license.”  If a facility obtains the license, then adults can consume products in the facility
• EMPLOYERS – Employers explicitly do not have to allow use or possession of marijuana/cannabis at the worksite.  Employers can implement drug use policies which prohibit such use or possession; HOWEVER, employers cannot fire or discipline and employee for any use during an employee’s private time as long as that employee is not under the influence of the substance while at work.  This is where the difficulty comes into play.  No test exists that can determine the level of THC in a person’s blood stream.  There is no way to prove empirically that an employee ingested the drug 10 minutes ago, or 3 weeks ago.  Other states have experienced difficulties with proving under the influence unless another person saw the employee use marijuana/cannabis.
• Landlords can prohibit tenants from smoking or vaping, but they cannot prohibit the use of edibles which leave no scent.
• Penalties – Under age usage results in a $100-$500 fine, 30 hours of community service and 30 days loss of a driver’s license for the first offense; a $500 - $750 fine for a second offense as well as 40 hours of community service and a 3 month loss of a driver’s license; and for a subsequent offense the penalty includes a $750 -$1000 fine, 50 hours of community service and 1 year suspension of a driver’s license.  School may adopt disciplinary programs that include suspension, expulsion, community service and school activity prohibitions.  Selling or giving marijuana/cannabis to an underage person results in a fine of $10,000 and prison.
• Local Rule – the residents of a municipality can pass a referendum to exclude the sale of marijuana/cannabis within the municipality’s limits.  However, because the effective date is January 1, 2020, a referendum would have to be held as a special election, since the next regular election does not take place until the fall of 2020.

Marijuana Revenue

• The Governor has made is clear that this is not a revenue-maker for the state.  Most of the money expected to be received will be spent on administrative costs and costs associated with the negative consequences of marijuana use.  Why did she propose it then?  Because, with Massachusetts legalizing the products, Rhode Island would likely experience the same negative effects with no revenue to handle the issues.
• Article 20 establishes the Marijuana Trust Fund Allocation to collect taxes and fees from the adult-use marijuana program.  The Marijuana Trust Fund will be distributed as follows:  25% goes to the Departments of Health, Revenue, and Public Safety, and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to fund regulatory activities.  Fifteen (15%) goes to cities and towns; and 60% percent goes to the general fund to fund programs and activities related to revenue collection and enforcement, substance use disorder prevention, education and public awareness campaigns, treatment and recovery support services, public health research, law enforcement support, and related technology improvements.
• Tax Revenue - the article proposes an overall tax rate of approximately 20%.  This includes a 7% percent sales tax rate, a 10% percent retail marijuana excise tax, and a weight-based excise tax to be determined.  The Governor’s office estimates $6.5 million in revenue for FY2020, and $21.9 million in revenue for FY2021.

 
The following bills were filed last week:
 
Senate Bill No. 268  Miller, Sosnowski, McCaffrey, Ruggerio, Goldin, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT (Prohibits retail sales establishments from providing plastic checkout bags and all retail establishments from providing expanded polystyrene disposable food containers and would be enforced by municipal designees, with an opt out provision.)
 
Senate Bill No. 279  DiPalma, Seveney, Coyne, Euer, Goldin, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION (Exempts from sales tax any amount a construction contractor charges clients for materials and supplies in connection with a construction contract.)
 
Senate Bill No. 283  Picard, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- DISABILITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (Expands the existing disability business enterprises program.)
 
Senate Bill No. 290  Bell, Nesselbush, Quezada, Seveney, Murray, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (Establishes a universal, comprehensive, affordable single-payer health care insurance program .)
 
Senate Bill No. 316  Goldin, Cano, Goodwin, Quezada, Miller, AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS - CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES (Requires employers to give their employees, who make a timely request, two (2) hours of paid leave to vote. This act would be enforced by the department of labor and training.)
 
Senate Bill No. 330  Cano, Goldin, Euer, Murray, Lynch Prata, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES -- SEXUAL HARASSMENT (Extends protection to domestic servants/includes retaliation as unlawful practice and requires employers of 4 or more employees to conduct sexual harassment programs for new employees within 1 month of the date of hire/all employees by September 1, 2019.)
 
Senate Bill No. 369  Lawson, Euer, Goodwin, McCaffrey, Ruggerio, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Provides health care employers with at least 18 employees, which receive certain state funding or pay an executive $1,000,000 or more annually, pay a minimum wage of $15.00.)


Senate Bill No. 370  McCaffrey, Goodwin, Ciccone, Cano, Lawson, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY - BENEFITS (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 thirty-six dollars ($636) per week.)
 
Senate Bill No. 373  Lombardi, Ciccone, Lombardo, Archambault, Lynch Prata, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE - CONTRIBUTIONS (Permits employees who are covered by employer sponsored disability insurance programs to elect to be exempt from the state temporary disability insurance program, provided the employer has submitted documentation to the director confirming such coverage)


Senate Bill No. 374  Goldin, Goodwin, Quezada, Euer, Murray, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGE--GRATUITIES (Incrementally increases from the $3.89 per hour subminimum wage for tipped workers to $9.00 per hour on January 1, 2023, Starting on January 1, 2024, the minimum hourly wage for tipped workers would be equal to the state's regular minimum hourly wage.)
 
Senate Bill No. 375  Felag, AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- ELECTRICIANS (Electrical apprentices qualify for journeyperson "B" exam by successfully completing 288 hours of classroom training in a recognized trade school.)
 
Senate Bill No. 379  Ciccone, Lombardo, Gallo, McCaffrey, Goodwin, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - RETAIL LICENSES (Allows holders of a Class P license to purchase alcoholic beverages from either a retail or wholesale establishment in the state of Rhode Island.)
 

​Senate Finance Committee Meeting Cancelled Due to Weather
The hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 12th was cancelled due to the inclement weather.  The Chamber expects testimony on Article 5, Section 9 of the Governor’s budget to be taken just after the February legislative break.
 
The General Assembly is on Break from February 18 – 22.
While the legislature is on break, the desk is still open to receive legislation so bills may continue to be released during the week.  
 
House Labor Takes Up Sexual Harassment Training for Employers
On February 27th at approximately 4:30 p.m. in the House Lounge, the House Labor Committee will take testimony on various workplace sexual harassment and workplace dispute bills. 
H.5343 (http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText19/HouseText19/H5343.pdf) requires employers with more than 50 employees to conduct sexual harassment education and training for new employees and members within 3 months of their hiring date or membership date.  New supervisors and managers must also go through a training program within 3 months of being hired or receiving the promotion.  Refresher training for all employees/members must be held every 2 years.  Training materials are to be made available to businesses, at no charge, by the Department of Administration.  H.5343 also encourages employers to participate in a survey of employees and members to determine the climate of the business. 
H.5345 (http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText19/HouseText19/H5345.pdf) declares it an unfair labor practice to require an employee to sign a non-disclosure agreement or a non-disparage agreement as a condition of employment, and if the issue raised is related to alleged unlawful conduct or civil rights.  This means that if an employer/employee dispute occurs, no settlement could include such a document as part of the settlement.
H.5346 (http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText19/HouseText19/H5346.pdf) amends the definition of employer, under the Fair Employment Practices Act, from those with four or more employees, to all employers.  It also includes volunteers, apprentices, unpaid interns and anyone under a contract for hire.
What’s in the Governor’s Budget – Article 12 Relating to Economic Development
Article 12 devotes over 50 pages to economic development programs.  In 2015, the Governor and the General Assembly created 15 programs that provided tax incentives and investment initiatives to jump start the economy.  At the time, it was partially funded by debt restructuring.
Rebuild RI Tax Credit Act – The Governor’s budget extends the sunset of the program from 2020 to 2023.  Manufacturers are more clearly defined as entities that transform raw material into a finished product for trade, but explicitly does not include an entity that merely alters stock in a warehouse for the “convenience of a customer.”
The Commerce Corporation is charged with developing a streamlined tax credit application for certified or recognized historic structures, manufacturers and affordable housing or workforce housing projects.  Historic Tax Credit projects from the 2013 program that was phased out could be considered for Rebuild RI credits under this new budget Article.
An owner of multiple, separate buildings on I-195 land could submit applications for each parcel to be considered as separate qualified development projects.
Article 12 increases the maximum aggregate sum authorized for this credit from $150 million to $250 million and authorizes the Commerce Corporation to determine how much of the aggregate should be designated for historical building and residential projects.  To date, $105 million in credits have been awarded, leaving $45 million in credits available under current law.  Should this increase in the tax credit pass, the House Fiscal staff predicts out years will require $50 million to be budgeted to cover the additional credits taken.
Commerce Corporation can use up to $250,000 per year for technical assistance for tax credit applicants.
Article 12 calls for an extension of the Rhode Island Tax Increment Financing program, the Tax Stabilization Incentive program, the First Wave Closing Fund Act, the 195 Redevelopment Project Fund, the Small Business Assistance Program, the “Stay Invested in RI Wavemaker Fellowship program, the Main Street RI Streetscaped Improvement Fund, the Innovation Initiative, the Industry Cluster Grants, the High School College and Employer Partnerships, and the Air Service Development Fund, to 2023.  These programs will sunset June 30, 2020 without legislative action.  The budget includes at least $8.2 million for these initiatives (it is possible that a specific appropriation may have been missed while going through the list multiple times.)
The Governor added a new program to the economic development toolbox, called “The State and Local Partnership Council Act.”  The Act creates a new public corporation is charged wtiih providing support and assistance to municipalities in economic development activities and to promote site readiness.  The Corporation is given authority to “plan, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, alter, improve, maintain, operate…acquire or convey any parcels, tracts, areas or projects within participating municipalities.”  If a city or town chooses to participate, this new corporation can adopt regulations and create new laws for the municipality that are deemed necessary to generate economic activity.  Once the city or town votes to enter the program, the corporation takes over with full authority, and can even exempt parcels of land from the municipality’s zoning, land use ordinances, building codes and fire codes.  According to the House fiscal staff, this program requires $800,000 for staff and consultants (8 FTEs) and $1.45 million for site readiness.
Article 12 makes a change to the corporate income tax by allowing as a deduction, any deduction to income allowable under 26 U.S.C. 1400Z-2(c).  This special federal rule for investments held at least 10 years allows a taxpayer to elect to take, as a basis, the fair market value of the investment on the date the investment was sold or exchanged instead of the value at time of purchase. 
Lastly, there are a number of income tax credits for research and development up to $1.3 million for qualifying costs.
 
Article 13 – Relating to Minimum Wages
Article 13 increases the state minimum wage from $10.50 per hour to $11.10 per hour starting January 1, 2020.
 
Article 14 – Relating to Healthcare Market Stability
Article 14 allows “short-term limited duration” health care policies and any policy that pays on a cost-incurred basis, to be considered allowable health care coverage in Rhode Island.  Current law specifically bans the use of short-term limited duration policies.  What are these policies? The product was designed for people who experience a temporary gap in health coverage. Short-term policies are generally considered to be “major medical” coverage; however, short-term policies are distinguished from other comprehensive major medical policies because they only provide coverage for a limited term, typically less than 365 days.  Short-term policies are also characterized by other significant limitations, including the types of services covered, often with a dollar maximum. These products are not renewable.  They end when the contract is over.  Individuals can be turned down due to age, gender, health status or other factors.  Typical short-term policies do not cover maternity care, prescription drugs, mental health care, preventive care, and may limit coverage in other ways.  That said, these policies can be significantly less than traditional products; and therefore, it has been added as an alternative for those who may not otherwise purchase insurance.
The Article seeks to place the federal Affordable Care Act into state law, thereby ensuring the program’s continuance.  Every applicable individual must maintain minimum essential health care coverage after December 31, 2019, or that person will be assessed a penalty at the following personal income tax filing time.  The penalty is equal to a taxpayer’s federal shared responsibility payment that was in effect December 15, 2017.  The Article does recognize that the federal government could change its policy on the requirement for insurance and the corresponding penalty; so if the federal government institutes a penalty, then the Rhode Island penalty would not apply.
Lastly, the Article establishes a restricted receipt account called “The Health Insurance Market Integrity Fund.”  The purpose of the fund is to provide reinsurance to health insurance carriers and to support personnel costs, operating costs and capital expenditures for the health exchange and the division of taxation to carry out the state’s health insurance program.  If any money is left in the fund after meeting those requirements, the excess can be used for preventative health care programs for vulnerable populations.
 
The following bills were filed last week:
 
House Bill No. 5361  Edwards, Diaz, Kazarian, Maldonado, Alzate, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Prohibits an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or employee, to commit any act declared to be an unlawful employment practice; individuals would be held personally liable for such conduct.)
 
House Bill No. 5364  Kazarian, Fogarty, Cassar, Bennett, Blazejewski, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES (Prohibits health insurance companies from changing premiums based on gender.)
 
House Bill No. 5388  Phillips, Solomon, Amore, Morin, Casey, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- MICRO ZONE ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION ACT (Creates micro zones in distressed areas to stimulate economic revitalization, employment opportunities, and business development through the redevelopment of obsolete, dilapidated and abandoned industrial and commercial structures.)
 
House Bill No. 5391  Fellela, Costantino, Ucci, Serpa, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES (Requires the first inspection of any new vehicle within five (5) years from the date of purchase. If the vehicle is sold within five (5) years, the new owner must obtain an inspection sticker before the current sticker expires.)
 
House Bill No. 5420  Diaz, Ackerman, Corvese, Slater, Craven, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MANDATORY COVERAGE FOR ALL BLOOD TESTING SERVICES (Mandates blood testing services coverage by accident/sickness/nonprofit hospital/nonprofit medical service corporation/HMOs effective 1/1/20.)
 
House Bill No. 5427  Casimiro, Alzate, Shanley, Tobon, Mendez, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- HEALTHY BEVERAGE ACT (Creates the "Healthy Beverage Act" which would require that children's meals offered by restaurants include certain healthy beverage options if the beverage is automatically included in the meal.)
 
House Bill No. 5441   McEntee, Craven, O'Brien, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY - SEASONAL EMPLOYEES (Creates a seasonal employment designation for purposes of unemployment benefits, which would allow employers hiring employees for less than twenty (20) weeks to apply for a seasonal determination by the director of the department of labor and training.)
 
House Bill No. 5444  Blazejewski, Carson, Solomon, Ucci, Handy, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS ACT (Establishes the Rhode Island global warming solutions act to reduce carbon emissions across various sectors of the local economy.)
 
House Bill No. 5454  Casey, Edwards, Blazejewski, Kennedy, Morin, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- WINE DIRECT SHIPPER LICENSE (Creates a wine direct shipper license to allow for shipment of limited amounts of wine through the mail to eligible customers.)
 
House Bill No. 5455  (Dept. of Business Regulation)  Serodio, Amore, Noret, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - RETAIL LICENSES (Provides that Class F and F-1 liquor licenses may be issued to corporations, LLCs, and political organizations.)
 
House Bill No. 5478  Craven, Millea, McEntee, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY (Provides that an open and obvious danger or defect is not a complete bar to recovery of damages in personal injury or property damage actions.)

Senate Finance Committee to Hear Sales Tax
On Tuesday, February 12th at approximately 4:30 pm in the Senate Lounge, the Senate Finance Committee will take testimony on Article 5, Section 9 of the Governor’s budget.  This is the Article that expands the 7% sales tax to the following items:
    -  Digital  Downloads ($2.6 million) such as Audio Works like Netflix, on-demand movies, games, movie streaming; Digital Audio Works such as audio book downloads; Ringtones; Digital books
    -  Hunting, Trapping and Shooting Services ($.6 million)
    -  Lobbying Services ($.9 million)
    -  Interior Design Services ($.5 million)
    -  Commercial Buildings Services ($6.2 million) which specifically includes extermination services, commercial cleaning services, landscaping and maintenance services, carpet and upholstery clearing services and janitorial services.  These services, if performed in a private residence with a home office, are not taxable. 
 
House Labor Takes Up Paid Leave Option
On Wednesday, February 13th, at approximately 4:30 pm in Room 203, the House Labor Committee will accept testimony on H.5271, An Act Relating to …Rhode Island Parental and Family Medical Leave Act.  H.5271 allows an employee to substitute any accrued vacation, sick or other paid leave for any part of parental leave or family leave.
 
What’s in the Governor’s Budget – Article 9 Local Aid
Article 9 addresses local taxation of non-profit higher education institutions and non-profit hospitals, as well as vehicle excise taxes.
Section 1 of the Article allows cities and towns to tax the real estate of a higher education entity if that property is not exclusively used for educational purposes.  In addition, any personal property held within that real estate would also be taxable by the municipality.  Likewise, any property held by a non-profit hospital that is not used exclusively for hospital purposes would be taxable (and the personal property located within that real estate).  Vacant lots, improved or unimproved, would be taxable.  The proposal gives municipalities the authority to waive the taxes due and payable if the non-profit entity makes a payment in lieu of taxes.  In the event the municipality does not waive the tax due, then any current payment in lieu of taxes made would be credited against the taxes owed should this language pass into law.
Section 2 of the Article proposes changes to the vehicle excise tax phase-out.  In a nutshell, the Governor’s proposal is a follows (information presented by the House Fiscal Staff):
Fiscal Year
Current Law
Current Law
Current Law
Gov. Budget
Gov. Budget
Gov. Budget

 
% of Retail Value
Rate cap per $1000
Exempt Floor
% of Retail Value
Rate cap per $1000
Exempt Floor

2020
85
$35
$3000
87.5
$40
$2800

2021
80
$35
$4000
84
$35
$3800

2022
75
$30
$5000
79
$30
$4800

2023
70
$20
$6000
64.5
$25
$6000

2024
No Tax
No Tax
No Tax
No Tax
No Tax
No Tax

 
For example, this coming year, the current law calls for communities to reduce the percentage of retail value from 90% to 85%.  If your car is worth $10,000, then communities could tax you on $9000 last year and $8500 this coming year.  The Governor’s budget changes the 85% retail value to 87.5% thus allowing communities to tax you on $8750 in value for the $10,000 car.  Second, current law restricts communities, in FY2020, to taxing at a rate not higher that $35 per $1000 of vehicle value.  Last year the cap was $50 per $1000 of value.  The Governor proposes to allow communities to tax at a rate not higher than $40 in the coming year.  Finally current law states that if your vehicle, after the % of Retail Value is calculated, is worth less than $2000 then you pay no vehicle excise tax.  Current law calls for that “Exempt Floor” to go to $3000 in this coming year (2020).  The Governor proposes to decrease the Exempt floor to $2800, meaning more people will pay the tax in FY2020.  The Governor’s budget does call for the complete phase out to occur in 2024, just as the current law provides, but a larger portion of the fiscal impact comes in later years.
 
Article 10 – Universal Pre-kindergarten
Article 10 proposes to provide universal prekindergarten education to all 4 year-olds in the state.  “Universal access” will statutorily be considered achieved under this proposal when 70% of 4 year-olds are enrolled in high-quality programs.  However, the program does call for continuing expansion until “every family who wants a high quality, prekindergarten seat” for their child has one. 
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is charged with writing regulations for the program that takes into account: teacher education and certification, class size and staff ratios, learning time, learning standards, curriculum, support for students with special needs, support for dual English language learners, professional development, child assessments and observations to improve practice.  Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) are called upon to develop transition plans for students going from pre-k to kindergarten.  The strategies should consider student visits to their future kindergarten classroom, kindergarten teacher visits to the pre-k classroom, workshops for families of incoming kindergarten kids, and kindergarten orientation sessions the summer before school starts.
According to the House Fiscal Staff, the Governor’s proposal calls for $15.6 million in funding.  $14.5 million would go to fully fund the current 60 classrooms and expand the program; $.7 million would go to contracted professional development and program evaluation costs; and $.4 million would be used for four new full-time employee positions.
 
Article 11 – Rhode Island Promise (College Tuition Program)
One of the major areas highlighted in the Governor’s State of the State Address can be found in Article 11.  This is the Article that expands the free college tuition program to include Rhode Island College (RIC) as well as the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI); and covers adult learners as well as high school graduates.
A two-year scholarship would be available for an Associate’s Degree at CCRI, a Bachelor’s Degree at RIC (or a combination of CCRI and RIC), and Certificate Programs meaning “any certificate program with labor market value as defined by the Postsecondary Commissioner.”  The Certificate Programs appear to be restricted to CCRI and RIC.
Adult learners are considered to be those 25 years of age or older and must be first-time enrollees in college.  Just like the original program, these individuals must maintain a 2.5 gpa, and they must stay on track to graduate.  Part-time students are given 4 years to complete an Associate’s Degree.
The Governor’s budget includes just under $8 million for the program.  The House budget staff noted that $5.3 million of the allotted funds comes from one-time reserve funds and that future years will be paid through general revenues under the Governor’s proposal.
 
The following bills were filed last week:
House Bill No. 5278  Abney, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAX--NON-COLLECTING RETAILERS, REFERRERS, AND RETAIL SALE FACILITATORS ACT (Extends the requirement to collect sales tax to remote sellers in a way that conforms to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision making it easier for states to compel collection/sales tax from retailers who do not have a physical presence in their state.)
 
House Bill No. 5287  (General Treasurer) Shekarchi, McKiernan, O'Brien, Slater, Diaz, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- NON-ERISA COVERED PENSION PLANS (Requires that all defined pension plans which are not covered by the ERISA and have at least two hundred (200) members, comply with ERISA's annual reporting provisions.)
 
House Bill No. 5290  Slater, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE EDWARD O. HAWKINS AND THOMAS C. SLATER MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT (Prevents employers from refusing to hire or discriminating against individuals for marijuana use and positive test results.)
 
House Bill No. 5299  Hawkins, Lima, Phillips, Noret, Serodio, AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES - EQUAL RIGHTS OF BLIND AND DEAF PERSONS TO PUBLIC FACILITIES (Prohibits misrepresentation of the status of an animal as a service animal in order to acquire any right or privilege afforded disabled persons.)
 
House Bill No. 5301   Diaz, Bennett, McLaughlin, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - PUBLIC HEALTH AND WORKPLACE SAFETY ACT (Provides that any law or regulations which prohibits or protects a person from exposure to second-hand smoke would include second-hand marijuana smoke.)
 
House Bill No. 5314   Bennett, Handy, Ackerman, McNamara, Kislak, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS (Prohibits a food service establishment from providing a consumer with a single-use plastic straw unless requested by the consumer.)
 
House Bill No. 5319   Ucci, Lima, Fellela, Roberts, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATION TAX (Allows for accumulated depreciation reduction for physical deterioration, functional and economic obsolescence.)
 
House Bill No. 5326   Ucci, Kennedy, Lima, Costantino, Fellela, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - RETAIL LICENSES (Allows holders of a Class P license to purchase alcoholic beverages from either a retail or wholesale establishment in the state of Rhode Island.)
 
House Bill No. 5341  Shanley, Tanzi, Kazarian, Knight, Carson, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Extends the timeframe within which to bring an action for an unlawful employment practice.)
 
House Bill No. 5343  Vella-Wilkinson, Tanzi, Walsh, Diaz, Alzate, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- SEXUAL HARASSMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE WORKPLACE (Mandates sexual harassment training for employees and supervisors of employers of fifty (50) or more employees. It would recommend an annual climate survey for employers.)
 
House Bill No. 5344  Tanzi, Kazarian, Cassar, Donovan, Ajello, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Prohibits an employer/employment agency/labor organization/or employee/to directly/indirectly commit any act declared to be an unlawful employment practice/it being the legislative intent that individuals would be held personally liable for such conduct.)


House Bill No. 5345  Tanzi, Ruggiero, Shanley, Kazarian, Newberry, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Forbids an employer to require an employee to execute a nondisclosure agreement; or non-disparagement agreement regarding alleged violations of civil rights or criminal conduct as a condition of employment.)
 
Senate Bill No. 251  Conley, Seveney, Murray, Pearson, DiPalma, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAX--NON-COLLECTING RETAILERS, REFERRERS, AND RETAIL SALE FACILITATORS ACT (Extends requirement to collect sales tax to remote sellers in a way that conforms to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision making it easier for states to compel collection of the sales tax from retailers who do not have a physical presence in their state.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pilgrim Title Receives National Recognition for Marketing Campaign
Company mascot, TOD (Title On Demand), plays major role in efforts
 
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Pilgrim Title Insurance Company, a Rhode Island- based title and closing services provider, is generating national attention from the American Land Title Association for its marketing and social media efforts. At the center of Pilgrim Title’s efforts is TOD, the company’s mascot that stands for Title On Demand.  TOD looks like a cartoon and acts as a portal to the company’s web site and services.
 
When Dena Davis joined Pilgrim Title in 2017 as Marketing Director, the company didn’t have a social media presence. Davis’ main role was to boost its presence and promote the company’s brand. Davis created TOD as a way for Pilgrim to accomplish these goals.
 
“People seem to appreciate the sense of humor TOD brings, while offering useful information, tools and community outreach,” Davis said. “We believe that creating a persona representing everything title would make the information we share more digestible, and frankly, more fun." 
 
The response to TOD has been well received by Realtors and lenders and the Title On Demand portal makes transactions smoother, she added.
 
“People often interact with TOD online, and clients often want their picture taken with a cardboard cutout of TOD after a closing,” Davis said. Pilgrim Title also launched TOD Talks videos, where its attorneys address common title issues and solutions the company offers its clients.
 
In addition to earning recognition for the TOD campaign, Pilgrim has made strides as an accessible title and closing service by providing online educational tools that explain the settlement process. As the real estate world moves towards e-closing and e-filing, Pilgrim Title is one of the first title companies to adopt the Digital Post Closing Package, which gives homebuyers a secure place to keep their valuable documents while providing a connection with realtors, lenders and the closing attorney.
 
“Customers want the convenience of digital access to information as well as access to the professionals handling their transactions,” says Christopher Montalbano, one of the Principals of Pilgrim Title. “We strive to provide all of these elements to homebuyers, lenders, and real estate agents.”
 
Pilgrim has gained new followers and customers on social media. Views on Pilgrim Title’s Facebook page increased 127 percent in a recent month, while engagement increased 81 percent. A recent video campaign bumped up company video views by 735 percent. Davis will represent Pilgrim Title at two upcoming national conferences for Closing Professionals – one in Raleigh and one in Chicago in 2019.
 
Pilgrim Title Insurance Company is a Rhode Island- based title and closing services provider. Pilgrim currently has offices in Barrington, East Providence and Orlando, Florida and is licensed to close in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Florida.
 
You can read the full article here: https://blog.alta.org/2019/01/how-do-you-hop.html

What’s in the Governor’s Budget – Article 4
Article 4 seeks to reorganize the state government by shifting responsibilities from one agency to another and adding new responsibilities to some.
 1.  Veterans’ Affairs (VA) – Article 4 proposes to give VA the job of presenting RI veterans’ claims to the veterans benefit administration without charge to the veteran.  The agency is also given control over any special funds to be used for installing markers, etc. on grave sites of military individuals.  The Article eliminates the mention of the General Assembly’s consideration to fund the annual encampment of the united Spanish war event.
2.  Motor Vehicles – The budget appears to eliminate the Motor Vehicle Inspection Commission which was housed within the Department of Revenue.  Records of vehicle inspections would be maintained by the Department of Revenue itself; and any hearings of complaints concerning inspections would be run by the Department of Revenue.
3.  Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – Article 4 proposes to take away the responsibility of maximizing federal grants to the State from the OMB and gives to the agency the responsibility for reviewing regulatory impacts.  OMB would be required to “analyze the impact of proposed regulations on the public and state as required by” the RI Regulatory Reform Act.  Currently regulation review is done by the Office of Regulatory Reform which is housed within OMB, so the change should be minimal; but the Chamber will monitor the debate on this change.  The federal grant responsibilities would go to the State Controller.  In the event a federal grant requires state matching funds, then the OMB would have to approve the filing of the grant application.
4.  Public Utilities Commission – The duties and powers of the Water Resources Board (currently housed within the Department of Administration) go to the PUC.  All property, employees and accounts are transferred to the PUC as well.  This Article would charge the PUC with drinking water protection, water infrastructure, water use efficiency, the sale of water to other states, etc.  However, the Article specifically states that the Department of Administration retains authority over the Big River Reservoir which is located in West Greenwich.  This is another governmental change the Chamber will be following closely.
5.  Office of Elderly Affairs – This agency moves from the Department of Human Services to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, along with Veterans’ Affairs.  The Senate would no longer have advice and consent over the director of the office which would be simply a Gubernatorial appointment.
6.  Day Care Providers – Article 4 creates a new statute to address the licensing and monitoring of child day care providers.  The Department of Human Services would be responsible for overseeing the licensing process for day care centers, family day care homes, and group family day care homes.  The new section establishes nonrefundable application fees for the various licenses which all go to general revenue.
7.  Child Placement Monitoring – The Department of Children, Youth and Families would be given authority to establish a unit to license and monitor child care agencies, foster and adoptive homes, and children’s behavioral health programs
 
Article 5 – Tax Article
This Article was reviewed in the January 22nd Edition of Under the Dome
 
Article 6 – Debt Management Act
1.  URI – The Governor is requesting approval for financing $51.5 million in bonds for the renovation and expansion of the Memorial Union.  The total debt service is estimated to be $112.3 million assuming a 6% interest rate.  The debt service payments are to be supported by revenues from student fees and retail lease payments.
2.  URI – Article 6 requests approval for $2.1 million in bonds for improvements to URI’s Fraternity Circle including water, wastewater, electrical, telecommunications, natural gas connections, roadways, walkways and parking lots.  This represents the first phase of the project.  The total debt service is estimated at $3.7 million assuming a 6% interest rate.
3.  URI – The budget includes a request for $26.9 million in bonds for a Combined Health and Counseling Center for URI students.  The bonds would be financed through the Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation over a term of 30 years.  Total debt service is estimated at $58.7 million assuming 6% interest rate.
4.  Department of Corrections High Security Center – The last section of Article 6 calls for $60 million for the Department of Corrections.  According to the Governor, the current capacity of the High Security Center (HSC) is 138 inmates.  Even with the current population of 86, the “per inmate” cost in the facility is $240,000 – a cost which is among the “highest in the nation.”  She states that due to the poor design of the facility, more staff is needed to supervise the number of inmates, resulting in a .85 inmate to 1 staff ratio.  The $60 million would be paid using $15 million from the Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund and $45 million through the issuance of Certificates of Participation.    A certificate of participation is a tax-exempt lease-financing agreement that is sold to investors as securities resembling bonds. In a COP program, a trustee is typically appointed to issue the securities that represent a percentage interest in the right to receive payments from the local government under the lease-purchase contract. Investors that participate in the program are given a certificate which entitles each investor to a share, or participation, in the revenue generated from the lease-purchase of the property or equipment to which the COP is tied.  The Governor proposes lease payments to be made over 15 years assuming a 5% average coupon rate for a total cost of $66.1 million.
Article 7 – Motor Vehicles
This short Article increases the technology surcharge added to every DMV transaction from $1.50 to $2.50 per transaction.  The original $1.50 would continue to go into the information technology investment fund, while the additional $1.00 would go to an account for DMV project-related payments and on-going maintenance of the computer system.  Starting July 1, 2022, the entire $2.50 would go to the on-going maintenance account.  The Article also eliminates the current requirement for Rhode Island drives to obtain a new license plate January 1, 2020.  Lastly, the Article eliminates the exemption for vehicles that are 20 years old or more.  Current law states that the older vehicles do not require a title certificate, making it easier to transfer these vehicles.  Article 7 seems to require all vehicles, regardless of age, to have a title certificate.
 
Article 8 – Relating to Transportation
1.  Size, Weight and Load Limits are addressed in this Article.  For vehicles between 80,000 lbs. and 130,000 lbs. a trip fee permit increases from $20 to $40.  For vehicles over 130,000 lbs. the fee increases to $300.  Current law allows for the purchase of an annual fee to avoid paying each trip fee.  Article 8 increases the annual fee from $300 to $400 for loads less than 130,000 lbs.  There is no annual fee option for loads over 130,000 lbs.
2.  While the gas tax does not increase under the budget proposal, the monies collected are disbursed differently.  The Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) gets an additional half cent per gallon which is roughly $2 million.  Additionally, RIPTA has been receiving $5 million a year from 2017 to 2019 from the RI Highway Maintenance Account.  That transfer of money is to sunset June 30, 2019.  Article 8 includes one more year of the $5 million funding to RIPTA. 
 
The following bills were filed last week:
 
House Bill No. 5216   Solomon, Amore, Shekarchi, Casey, Morin, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - ESTABLISHING A SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FUND (Establishes a small business develop fund designed to encourage the formation of private capital investment by federally licensed investment companies in underserved small business, leveraged by delayed, at-risk stream of tax credits.)
 
House Bill No. 5217  Morin, Marszalkowski, Solomon, Casey, Phillips, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - BREWERIES (Removes the limitations on the quantities of malt beverages that can be sold at retail by licensed breweries.)
 
House Bill No. 5218  Craven, McEntee, Edwards, Bennett, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES (Substitutes the office of health insurance commissioner for the director of business regulation as the overseer of health insurance claims and sets forth guidelines to use to determine whether substantial compliance has been met.)
 
House Bill No. 5225  Marshall, Abney, Shekarchi, Shanley, Costantino, AN ACT RELATING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - HOUSE OFFICE OF ECONOMICS (Establishes an office of economics to assist the house of representatives during its review of the financial impact of proposed legislation.)
 
House Bill No. 5260  Vella-Wilkinson, Morin, O'Brien, Almeida, Williams, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - ARBITRATION - CERTIFIED SCHOOL TEACHERS - MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (Makes the arbitrator's decision binding on all matters pertaining to certified public school teachers and municipal employees, including those matters involving the expenditure of money.)
 
House Bill No. 5268  Edwards, Maldonado, Canario, Slater, Amore, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - PAYMENT OF WAGES (Eliminates repealed statute references and create a mechanism for employees to enforce their existing right to continuation of medical benefits.)
 
House Bill No. 5269  Blazejewski, Shanley, Barros, Cassar, Ranglin-Vassell, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Provides health care employers with at least 18 employees, which receive certain state funding or pay an executive $1,000,000 or more annually, pay a minimum wage of $15.00.)
 
House Bill No. 5270  McKiernan, McEntee, Craven, Millea, Almeida, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY - BENEFITS (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 the workers in the prior calendar year or six hundred thirty-six dollars ($636) per week.)
 
House Bill No. 5271  McEntee, Craven, Caldwell, McKiernan, Millea, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- RHODE ISLAND PARENTAL AND FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (Allows an employee granted unpaid family or parental leave to substitute any accrued vacation, sick or other appropriate paid leave for any part of the unpaid leave.)
 
Senate Resolution No. 194   DiPalma, Euer, Seveney, Felag, Murray, JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND EVALUATE RHODE ISLAND'S ELECTRIC AND NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE (Creates a 22 member commission to study and evaluate Rhode Island's electric and natural gas transmission and distribution system infrastructure, and report back to the General Assembly by March 1, 2020, and expire on June 30, 2020.)
 
Senate Bill No. 195  Raptakis, Bell, Metts, Sheehan, Ciccone, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW-GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTEREST AND USURY (Reduces the usury rate to twelve percent (12%).)
 
Senate Bill No. 202  McCaffrey, Sosnowski, Miller, DiPalma, Euer, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS (Prohibits a food service establishment from providing a consumer with a single-use plastic straw unless requested by the consumer.)
 
Senate Bill No. 204 Felag, Sosnowski, Seveney, DiPalma, Ciccone, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION - SALES TAX (Eliminates the sales tax on taxi services and pet care services.)
 
Senate Bill No. 220  Conley, Nesselbush, Crowley, Cano, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PAWTUCKET OPPORTUNITY ZONE INCOME TAX CREDIT ACT (Tax credit for opportunity zone in investment in Pawtucket)
 
Senate Bill No. 234   Conley, DiPalma, Lawson, Satchell, Cano, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- CONSUMER PRIVACY PROTECTION (Creates "Consumer Privacy Protection Act.")
 
Senate Bill No. 241  Raptakis, Lombardo, Paolino, Lombardi, Morgan, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Increases the hourly minimum wage in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region for the four (4) previous fiscal years, effective January 1, 2021.)