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Revenue Estimating Conference Continues This Week
Each year the fiscal staffs of the House, Senate and Governor meet in the Spring to debate and reach consensus on the State’s fixed expenses as well as revenues for the upcoming year. Last Friday, the twice a year conference of budget officials convened and heard testimony on Caseloads for Cash Assistance, Services for Private Community Developmentally Disabled, and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Today’s Economic Overview and Testimony has been rescheduled to tomorrow, as the General Assembly attends services for the passing of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Below is an updated agenda of the remaining meetings: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 – Economic Overview and Testimony 9:00 A.M. US and RI Economic Forecasts – Moody’s Analytics RI Labor Market Conditions – Department of Labor and Training Consensus Economic Forecast 10:30 A.M. Lottery Receipts - Department of Revenue, Division of Lottery Commerce Corporation Tax Credits – RI Commerce Corporation Monday May 5, 2025 – Caseload Estimates and Testimony 9:00 A.M. Caseload Estimating Conference 2:00 P.M. Tax Collections – Department of Revenue, Division of Taxation Accruals – Department of Administration, Office of Accounts and Controls Friday, May 9, 2025 – Revenue Estimates 9:00 A.M. Revenue Estimating Conference (this meeting is an all-day meeting) To watch the Revenue Estimating Conference go to: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/ Meeting Materials will be made available on the General Assembly website at https://www.rilegislature.gov/Special/rcc/Pages/rcec.aspx or http://omb.ri.gov/R Wednesday, April 30rh Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday The Senate Committee on Labor & Gaming will meet at 4:00 in room 212, to conduct a hearing on S.988, https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0988.pdf, which would adds Dr. Martin Luther King to the list of holidays requiring premium pay for those employees working on the holiday as a part of their normal 40-hour work week. As previouslymentioned, Rhode Island is the only state in the country with this requirement. Testimony may be submitted to SLegislation@rilegislature. Packaging and Paper Recycling S.939, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging and Paper Act https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0939.pdf will be heard in the Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture at 4:00 in the Senate Lounge. This bill is one of three bills related to the debate over the adoption of a bottle redemption bill. For two years, a joint House and Senate commission has been meeting to debate the pros and cons of adopting a bottle deposit and redemption bill. The members of the commission did not reach consensus, so three bills were introduced last week – a bottle deposit bill with a ten-cent fee per can/bottle; a bottle deposit combined with an extended producer responsibility program for most types of packaging (EPR); and a bill focusing only on EPR. S.939, which focuses only on EPR was put forward by the beverage industry. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0939.pdf Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is a policy approach that holds producers of packaging materials responsible for managing the waste generated by their products throughout their lifecycle. This includes funding the costs of collecting, sorting, treating, and recycling packaging waste Under S.939, packaging is considered material – regardless of recyclability – intended for short-term use and is used for the “containment, protection, handling, or delivery of products to the consumer at the point of sale, including through an internet transaction.” It includes paper, plastic, glass, metal, cartons, flexibles, foams, rigid packaging or other materials or combinations of materials. It specifically exempts packaging that is not sold to residential households, is used solely in transportation or distribution to non-consumers, is exclusively used in industrial or manufacturing processes, is sold outside the state, is exempt as a medicine or research product, or is considered long-term storage packaging for at least five years. If a bottle bill were to pass at any time, those containers would also be exempt under this proposal. S.939 establishes an advisory board to provide advice to a Producer Responsibility Organization that represents the interests of the all the packaging producers, which in most cases will be companies with brand names on the products or the entity responsible for bringing the product into the state first. Other entities could be considered producers under certain circumstances; however, an exemption exists for entities with less than $5 million in gross total revenue or less than one ton of covered materials. The Organization would be charged with submitting a five-year packaging material collection plan by December 31, 2027 and submitting it to the advisory council for consideration. Minimum recyclable standards would be set. The bill states “A person shall not charge any kind of point-of-sale or point-of-collection fee to consumers to recoup its costs” in implementing the program. This would mean the cost of the product would have to include costs related to the producer’s obligation. Testimony on this 33-page bill should be submitted to [email protected] Last Week At the State House Last Thursday, the House Judiciary conducted a hearing on H 6212, which would add the crime of larceny to anyone that acquires or retains a gift card of less than $1,500 with the intent to use the card without the owner’s permission. A potential fine of up to $1,000 may also be assessed. Higher penalties exist for cards valued over $1,500 or for multiple violations in any six-month period. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H6212.pdf. The matter received support from the business community and opposition from the public defender, and was held for further study. Some hearings postponed last week have not yet been rescheduled to this week, including: - S 627, which would establish regulations with the intent to ensure the ethical development, integration, and deployment of high-risk Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, particularly those influencing consequential decisions in areas like employment, education, lending, housing, healthcare, and legal services. It would require developers, integrators, and deployers to use reasonable care to prevent algorithmic discrimination, implement risk management policies, conduct regular impact assessments, and provide transparency regarding the use of AI systems. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0627.pdf - S 285, which would prohibit employers from asking questions about a job applicant’s financial history as part of a job interview or application, as well as the use of credit checks in the hiring process, with exemptions for otherwise legally required review. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0285.pdf - S 211, which would sunset/discontinue the Jobs Development Act rate reduction as of July 1, 2025. The Rhode Island Jobs Development Act provides tax incentives for businesses that meet certain criteria, such as creating new jobs and investing in new capital. Essentially, the program is intended to encourage economic growth by offering companies tax benefits in exchange for their investment in the state's economy. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0111.pdf
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Rhode Island Mourns the Loss of the Senate President Dominick Ruggerio
The business community mourns the loss of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio who lost his battle with cancer Monday, April 21, 2025. President Ruggerio was first elected to the Senate in 1984 and was the longest serving member of the Senate. He took the helm as President in 2017. In 2022, President Ruggerio received the Chamber’s Barbara Burlingame Award, an award given to a Rhode Island elected official who made outstanding contributions to the business community. At that time Chamber President & CEO Liz Catucci praised the Senate President calling him a longtime supporter of the Chamber, demonstrating a willingness to work with the business community on significant legislation such as education reform, corporate taxation and economic development. “This is a sad day for Rhode Island. Today the business community lost an advocate and a friend. I personally will miss my conversations with him, his laughter, and his ability to play blackjack at the annual Bally’s Holiday Charity Blackjack Tournament. Rest in Peace Mr. President; job well done.” Revenue Estimating Conference Begins This Week Each year the fiscal staffs of the House, Senate and Governor meet in the Spring to debate and reach consensus on the State’s fixed expenses as well as revenues for the upcoming year. This year’s process begins Friday, April 25th with the Caseload conference. The conference ends Friday, May 9th when the final numbers will be set and the race to complete a budget begins. Monday, April 28th may be of particular interest as the State’s economists will outline their forecast for the national economy and Rhode Island’s economy. Below is a full agenda of the meetings: Friday April 25, 2025 – Testimony 9:00 A.M. Cash Assistance Caseload Services for Private Community Developmentally Disabled Caseload 1:00 P.M. Medical Caseload Executive Office of Health and Human Services Monday, April 28, 2025 – Economic Overview and Testimony 9:00 A.M. US and RI Economic Forecasts – Moody’s Analytics RI Labor Market Conditions – Department of Labor and Training Consensus Economic Forecast 10:30 A.M. Lottery Receipts - Department of Revenue, Division of Lottery Commerce Corporation Tax Credits – RI Commerce Corporation Monday May 5, 2025 – Caseload Estimates and Testimony 9:00 A.M. Caseload Estimating Conference 2:00 P.M. Tax Collections – Department of Revenue, Division of Taxation Accruals – Department of Administration, Office of Accounts and Controls Friday, May 9, 2025 – Revenue Estimates 9:00 A.M. Revenue Estimating Conference (this meeting is an all-day meeting) To watch the Revenue Estimating Conference go to: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/ Meeting Materials will be made available on the General Assembly website at https://www.rilegislature.gov/Special/rcc/Pages/rcec.aspx or http://omb.ri.gov/REC This Week At the State House Thursday, April 24th Gift Card Fraud H.6212, An Act Relating to Commercial Law – Gift Card Fraud https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H6212.pdf adds the crime of larceny to anyone that acquires or retains a gift card of less than $1,500 with the intent to use the card without the owner’s permission. A potential fine of up to $1,000 may also be assessed. Higher penalties exist for cards valued over $1,500 or for multiple violations in any six-month period. Testimony may be submitted at [email protected] The following new bills have been filed: Senate Bill No. 974 Lawson, Bissaillon, Tikoian, Lauria, DiMario, Euer, Urso, Felag, Murray, Gallo, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- TEMPORARY DISABILITY INSURANCE --CONTRIBUTIONS (Increases the taxable wage base for TDI claims from $38,000 to $100,000 or the annual earnings needed by an individual to qualify for the maximum weekly benefit amount and the maximum duration under chapters 39 through 41 of this title.) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0974.pdf Senate Bill No. 984 Britto, McKenney, Dimitri, Ciccone, Felag, Murray, Patalano, Thompson, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEMP THC-INFUSED BEVERAGES ACT (Authorizes the sale of THC-infused beverages to be regulated by the DBR division of commercial licensing. It also establishes licensing and an endorsement process for wholesale and retail THC-infused beverages.) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0984.pdf Senate Bill No. 988 Appollonio, Acosta, Mack, Lauria, Kallman, Thompson, Dimitri, Urso, Vargas, Pearson, AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- WORK ON HOLIDAYS AND SUNDAYS (Includes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday as a holiday.) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0988.pdf Senate Bill No. 991 (Lieutenant Governor) Britto, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- PROTECTING RHODE ISLANDERS FROM COERCIVE ECONOMIC TACTICS AT GROCERY STORES (Creates a new chapter to protect Rhode Island consumers from coercive tactics at grocery stores.) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0991.pdf House Bill No. 6205 Bennett, Voas, McEntee, Potter, Cruz, Morales, Cortvriend, Edwards, Speakman, Carson, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING AND PAPER ACT (Creates the extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper program for the recycling of packaging and paper products.) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H6205.pdf House Bill No. 6206 Spears, McEntee, Bennett, Carson, Boylan, McGaw, Cortvriend, Donovan, Handy, Kazarian, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BEVERAGE CONTAINERS RECYCLING ACT (Establishes the Beverage Container Recycling Act) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H6206.pdf House Bill No. 6207 McEntee, Knight, Bennett, Boylan, Carson, McGaw, Cortvriend, Donovan, Handy, Kazarian, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY (Provides extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, recycling of beverage containers, and provides general provisions for oversight of single-stage producer organizations.) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H6207.pdf House Bill No. 6239 Casey, Solomon, Chippendale, Slater, Voas, Finkelman, Dawson, Phillips, Corvese, J. Brien, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- RHODE ISLAND TAX AMNESTY ACT OF 2017 (Authorizes the tax administrator to waive interest and penalties on delinquent taxes paid in full during a one week amnesty period. Also reinstates a suspended driver’s license upon payment in full.) https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H6239.pdf This Week At the State House
The legislature is observing Spring Recess this week and will return April 22nd. Last Week At the State House Two bills passed the Senate Labor & Gaming Committee last week: S.126 Sub A passed the Senate Labor and Gaming Committee and the Senate floor (30-4). Following on a National Labor Relations Board decision in November that deemed unlawful the practice of requiring employees attend meetings under threats of discipline or discharge where employers express views on unionization, the Senate passed legislation to prohibit the convening of so called “captive audience” meetings. While the proponents focused on meetings called to address unionization, S.126 SubA also affects employer-required meetings to discuss legislative policy or political campaigns. Approximately ten states have enacted laws prohibiting captive audience meetings, which have been subject to litigation, including the Connecticut law. S.126 SubA is now in the House Labor Committee. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0126A.pdf S.949 An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations, Workplace Psychological Safety Act passed the committee 5-1. This legislation establishes an obligation on employers to keep employees safe from psychological abuse in the workplace. The definition of “psychological abuse” under this bill includes actions such as “mistreatment that has the effect of hurting, weakening, confusing, or frightening a person mentally or emotionally.” These terms are very subjective. They can mean different things to different people, leaving everyone wondering what they can and cannot do or say in the workplace. An employee may use both direct and circumstantial evidence to prove a violation occurred. The bill is scheduled for a Senate floor vote April 22nd. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/SenateText25/S0959.pdf The following new bill has been filed: House Bill No. 6205 Bennett, Voas, McEntee, Potter, Cruz, Morales, Cortvriend, Edwards, Speakman, Carson, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING AND PAPER ACT (Creates the extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper program for the recycling of packaging and paper products.) House Bill No. 6206 Spears, McEntee, Bennett, Carson, Boylan, McGaw, Cortvriend, Donovan, Handy, Kazarian, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BEVERAGE CONTAINERS RECYCLING ACT (Establishes the Beverage Container Recycling Act) House Bill No. 6207 McEntee, Knight, Bennett, Boylan, Carson, McGaw, Cortvriend, Donovan, Handy, Kazarian, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY (Provides extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, recycling of beverage containers, and provides general provisions for oversight of single-stage producer organizations.) House Bill No. 6208 Cortvriend, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT (Strikes the words "which is naturally occurring" with regard to any promulgated rules and regulations of the department of environmental management (DEM) relating to the remediation of arsenic.) House Bill No. 6212 Baginski, J. Brien, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GIFT CARD FRAUD (Makes offenses against gift card holders subject to the penalties for larceny.) Senate Bill No. 959 Ciccone, Burke, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKPLACE PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY ACT (Protects bullying/psychological abuse in workplace inflicted upon employees by employers/co-employees/provides civil remedies to affected employees/fines against employers/imprisonment/fines against co-employees.) Legislative Break Week Begins April 14th
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