​This Week at the State House
 
Voting is happening at a faster pace as we head into what could be the final month of legislative session. 
The Senate Commerce Committee will be voting on the two bills of interest Tuesday at the Rise. Senate Resolution 194 calls for a 22 member commission to study the state’s electric and natural gas distribution infrastructure. The commission must report back to the legislature by March 1, 2020 with its findings. S.253 addresses businesses covered under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act).  The Department of Labor and Training, upon notification that a covered business is going to close, would be required to notify employees of their ability to place a bid to purchase the closing business and to assist with creating a workers’ cooperative should employees wish to buy the business.
 
The Senate Judiciary Committee will be taking testimony on Tuesday concerning S.598, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Fair Employment Practices.  The bill forbids an employer from requiring an employee to execute a nondisclosure agreement or a non-disparagement agreement regarding alleged violations of civil rights or criminal conduct as a condition of employment.  This would greatly reduce the ability to enter into settlement agreements with employees to resolve conflicts.
 
Senate Labor has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday at the Rise in the Senate Lounge.  One of the bills being heard is S.172, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Equal Pay Data Collection and Reporting.  The bill requires employers with 100 employees or more to file an annual report with the Department of Labor and Training providing compensation information broken down by age, gender, race, ethnicity, job category and occupation title. 
 
The Senate Education Committee plans to vote on the education package introduced on May 8th.  This Wednesday, the committee will vote on: S.863 which requires the commissioner of education to develop statewide academic standards and curriculum frameworks for the core subjects of mathematics, English language arts, science and technology, history and social studies, world languages, and the arts; S.864 a bill that directs the council on elementary and secondary education to provide professional support and assistance to local education agencies; S.865 expands the duties of principals over school personnel, facilities and budgets; and S.866 which establishes testing requirements for initial certification of new teachers starting July 1, 2021.
 
The Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee is set to vote on a plastic bag ban bill and a plastic straw bill.  S.410 was created by a stakeholder group comprised of business and environmental representatives.  The Governor brought both sides together to work out a compromise which is reflected in S.410.  The bill bans retailers from providing single-use plastic bags and requires them to charge a customer five cents for a paper bag should the customer require a bag.  A few exceptions exist such as the very important restaurant wine bottle take-home bag. Every retailer is under the same rules which should help with compliance issues.  If passed, the bill would go into effect one year from the date of enactment.  S.202 SubA will ban facilities from giving out straws unless the customer requests one, or if the customer selects one from a dispenser.
 
 
The following bill was filed last week:
House Bill No. 6126   Bennett, Canario, Noret, Vella-Wilkinson, Jacquard, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- DISPOSABLE FOOD SERVICE CONTAINERS (Prohibits a covered establishment from preparing, selling, processing or providing food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam.)
 
House Bill No. 6134   Williams, Fellela, Alzate, Millea, McKiernan, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - WORKERS' COMPENSATION (Provides employer pays any excess damages for an injured minor/clarifies liability of employer for violation of continuation of health care benefits for injured employee caused by employer/repeals obsolete/inapplicable workers' compensation laws.)

House Resolution No. 6135   Shanley, HOUSE RESOLUTION REINSTATING THE LIFE OF AND EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES OF THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION KNOWN AS THE "RHODE ISLAND ONLINE DATA TRANSPARENCY AND PRIVACY PROTECTION COMMISSION" (Reinstates the life and extends the reporting and expiration dates of the "Rhode Island Online Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Commission" from February 5, 2019, to February 5, 2020, and would expire on May 5, 2020.)
 
Senate Bill No. 888  Ciccone, Lombardo, Lombardi, AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS - SMALL LOAN LENDERS (Allows small loan lenders to charge fees on loans up to $5,000 provided the fees are disclosed and agreed to in written instrument signed by borrower and licensee.)
 
Senate Bill No. 889  Conley, Gallo, Seveney, Lombardi, Felag, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW - GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS - DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES (Requires retail establishments to accept cash in payment for goods and services excluding online purchases.)
 
Senate Bill No. 891  Sosnowski, Euer, Coyne, Valverde, Conley, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - IDLING (Removes the word diesel in regard to idling of engines and would pertain to idling of all engines.)
 
Senate Bill No. 908  Lawson, Ciccone, Metts, Lombardi, Quezada, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- ESTABLISHING THE "COMMUTER TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS ACT" (Establishes the commuter transportation benefit act. Employers with twenty (20) or more employees would provide a pre-tax transportation fringe benefit program or provide transportation to the employees.)
 
Senate Bill No. 909   Ciccone, Lombardo, Gallo, Lombardi, Nesselbush, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - WORKERS' COMPENSATION (Provides employer pays any excess damages for an injured minor/clarifies liability of employer for violation of continuation of health care benefits for injured employee caused by employer/repeals obsolete/inapplicable workers' compensation laws.)
 
Senate Bill No. 910   Pearson, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Gallo, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY--BENEFITS (Eliminates requirement to pay attorney fees from employment security (unemployment) administrative fund.)
 
 
 
 

NEW MEMBER: MARSHALL BUILDING & REMODELING
 
Marshall Building & Remodeling is a local, family-owned roofing, siding, and window company providing superior service and products to RI and MA homeowners since 1983. Founded by Tom and Dave Marshall, the legacy of providing the highest quality work and service for an honest price is carried out today by Anne and Andy Marshall, Tom’s children.
 
Although new to the East Bay Chamber, this company has been a Riverside staple for generations. Marshall has built a foundation of business based on impeccable customer service, friendly staff members, and creating a stress-free experience for every homeowner. Their work speaks for itself with numerous 5-star online reviews, ten consecutive Angie's List Super Service Awards, and countless honors from manufacturers.
 
With a constantly growing customer base, it’s no surprise that even local radio personality, WPRO’s Matt Allen raves about his own experiences with the company. “I can’t say enough good things about the Marshalls. They’re RI’s best and most trusted roofing, siding, and window company, hands-down. Bottom line, they’re the people my family and I trust with our homes.” – Matt Allen
 
Respect, efficiency, craftsmanship, and pride are what you can expect from Marshall Building & Remodeling.
With Marshall, there’s no need to compromise. You can work with a small local business and still receive the best work for a fair price. Next time you’re in the market for roofing, siding or windows – don’t hesitate to call in and talk to Judy (401-438-1499). Their website also has a great area called the “Learning Center” with awesome tips and tricks for home maintenance and cleaning (marshallbr.com). 

​An Update from the State House
 
Last week, the Senate Labor Committee, after taking testimony on a number of business-related bills, held those bills for further study.  This simply means that the bills remain alive.  S.373. allows employees who are covered by an employer sponsored disability insurance program to elect to be exempt from the state temporary disability insurance program.  S.615 bars employers from refusing to hire, discharge, or “otherwise discriminate” against a person with respect to any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of his or her status as a medical marijuana cardholder - including because of a positive drug test for marijuana at the workplace or during the hours of employment.  S.835 makes it an unlawful employment practice for any person, whether or not an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or employee, “to directly or indirectly commit any act declared by this section to be an unlawful employment practice” (the quoted language would be new law).  Additionally the legislation allows individual employees to be held liable for their actions with fellow employees. 
 
This Week at the State House
As of last Sunday, the hearing schedule for the House and Senate was very light, which could mean that both sides are discussing which bills are on the favored and disfavored lists.  To date only two hearings are noteworthy.
The House Finance Committee is meeting Tuesday at the Rise, approximately 4:30 p.m., to allow the fiscal staff to provide a budget status briefing.  The briefing will take place in Room 35.
On the same day, Senate Finance will be meeting at the Rise in Room 211.  S.134, An Act Relating to Taxation, would correct what some believe was an oversight a few years ago when income tax reform was adopted.  Under current law, a non-resident seller of real estate must have 9% of the sales price held by the closing attorney until such time as the individual’s personal income tax is paid in April.  That made sense when the highest tax bracket was 9%; but since it has been lowered to 7%, it makes sense to lower the non-resident withholding amount as well.  S.669, An Act Relating to Taxation – Real Estate Conveyance, will also be heard in committee.  It allows the City of Newport to institute a 2% real estate transfer tax on the buyer of property.
 
The following bill was filed last week:
 
House Bill No. 6117   Costantino, Hawkins, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - MINIMUM WAGES (Exempts full-time college students employed by the college or university they attend from the requirement of a three (3) hour work shift guarantee by the employer.)
 
 

​An Update from the State House
 
Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) Finishes Work
The eight and a half hour meeting of the Department of Revenue staff, the Senate Fiscal Policy staff and the House Fiscal Policy staff showed just how dedicated these individuals are to making the best budget estimates possible.  The bottom line:  Rhode Island is expected to end the current fiscal year with $4,017,910,000 in state revenue which is up $24.8 million from the estimate made in November of 2018.  While that is certainly good news, it is a narrow victory given the budget proposal put for by the Governor for FY2020 includes many new initiatives.
The REC estimates total general revenues for FY2020 to be $3,952,450,000 (not including the hospital licensing fee; so the total general revenue for FY2020 is relatively the same).  So how does the Conference determine that number? The members go through every tax from personal income to business corporation tax, to inheritance and gift taxes, to gambling, realty transfers etc and discuss a rationale for each assumption.  One of the longest debates came with the sales tax collection assumption.  The Revenue Department (represents the Governor’s office) wanted to assume a 7% growth rate over the current fiscal year, while the Senate assumed 3.1% and the House assumed 3.9%.  The Tax Division stated that the large increase was justified by an expected uptick in collections from the new software tax and security services tax.  Of the 30,000 taxpayers believed to be subject to these new taxes, about a third have not filed the required tax reconciliation forms.  The Division said this is not unusual as entities subject to new taxes often do not realize they should be paying the tax.  The Division plans to send out a notice to all of those businesses that have not filed the reconciliation form and then follow up with audits.  After much back and forth debate, the Conference settled on a 4.1% growth in sales tax, meaning the state expects to collect a total of $1,172,900,000 in sales and use tax next fiscal year.
The next longest debate centered around sports gambling.  It was extremely difficult for all of the members to determine a comfortable estimate for this revenue given the current experience.  The remote sports gambling technology is slated to be up and running September 1st.  The REC decided to allow for two additional weeks of lag time before the start date in the event more time is need for testing of equipment or any delays in equipment arrival.  Ultimately, the state is estimating to receive $22.7 million next year in sports betting.  The total revenue estimated to be received from all gaming sources (casino, lottery, sports) is $412.8 million.  This represents a $12.7 million increase over the current fiscal year.
Other revenues estimates for FY2020 include Business Corporation Tax of $164 million (down $500,000 from FY2019); Personal Income Tax of $1,426,800,000 (up $42.8 million over FY2019); Inheritance and Gift Tax of $38 million (down $10 million over FY2019) and Public Utilities Gross Receipt Tax of $103.2 million (up $300,000 over FY2019).
The FY2020 budget was projected to face a $100 million deficit.  The expenses for the state did see a reduction over projected expenses since last November, so it is not clear yet just how much the revenue estimates will eat away at the projected deficit.  The Finance Committees will now take this information and begin to re-shape the Governor’s proposed budget to address priorities of the House, Senate and Governor’s office.  Difficult choices will have to be made.  The FY2020 budget is expected to be released sometime in June.
 
This Week At the State House
If you have to be at the State House Tuesday, May 14th give yourself extra time.  On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on S.152 SubA and H.5125 SubA.  These are the bills referred to as the state codification of the Roe v. Wade decision (proponents and opponents disagree on how close the language is to Roe v Wade).  The State House is expected to be very crowded that day, and the lines to go through building security will likely be long.
 
On Wednesday, May 15th, the Senate Education Committee will meet at the Rise (approximately 4:30 p.m.) in Room 313 to take testimony on the newly filed education reform package.  The link to the bills – S.863, S.864, S.865, S.866, S.867, S.868 and S. 869 can be found below in the newly filed bills listing.  The bills address a number of issues like the development of statewide academic standards and curriculum frameworks for the core subjects; providing school principals with more authority to handle personnel and budget matters; and establishing a system to evaluate schools.  The House Health Education and Welfare Committee will take up the house bills dealing with education reform (H.6084, H.6085, H.6098, H.6099 and H.6100) the same day, same time in Room 101.
 
The Senate Labor Committee will be taking testimony on a number of business-related bills Wednesday, May 15th at the Rise in the Senate Lounge.  One bill the Chamber supports is S.373.  It allows employees who are covered by an employer sponsored disability insurance program to elect to be exempt from the state temporary disability insurance program.  The employer is required to show documentation to the Department of Labor and Training to prove such coverage exists.  S.615 bars employers from refusing to hire, discharge, or “otherwise discriminate” against a person with respect to any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of his or her status as a medical marijuana cardholder - including because of a positive drug test for marijuana at the workplace or during the hours of employment.  S.835 would make it an unlawful employment practice for any person, whether or not an employer, employment agency, labor organization, or employee, “to directly or indirectly commit any act declared by this section to be an unlawful employment practice” (the quoted language would be new law).  Additionally the legislation allows individual employees to be held liable for their actions with fellow employees.
 
The following bill was filed last week:
 
House Bill No. 6084  Amore, Mattiello, Shekarchi, Edwards, Blazejewski, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (Provides for greater school-based management at the school level and expands the duties of school improvement teams and establishes a new chapter on education accountability.)

House Bill No. 6085  Barros, Ackerman, Bennett, Corvese, Shanley, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS (Allows teachers to obtain fast-track certification as a principal.)
 
House Bill No. 6086 Serodio, Hawkins, Amore, Noret, Shekarchi, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Increases the members of public school personnel to include all trained school administrators, teachers, or SROs among those authorized to administer an opioid antagonist where there is an emergency drug overdose in a school setting.)
 
House Bill No. 6087  Williams, Vella-Wilkinson, O'Brien, Caldwell, McKiernan, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- HEALTHY WORKPLACE (Creates the "Healthy Workplace Act of 2019" and would establish a cause of action against employers and employees for workplace bullying, harassment and other abusive conduct.)
 
House Bill No. 6098 Alzate, Maldonado, Edwards, Speakman, Slater, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS (Directs the council on elementary and secondary education to implement teacher licensure tests modeled after the Massachusetts tests for educator licensure, commencing on July 1, 2021.)
 
House Bill No. 6099  Caldwell, Diaz, Noret, Morin, Knight, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS (Directs the council on elementary and secondary education to implement a teacher assessment and evaluation system which emphasizes the alignment of instruction delivered to the state's standards.)
 
House Bill No. 6100  Mendez, Fellela, Jackson, Vella-Wilkinson, Hawkins, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS (Creates a provisional educator certification to be issued by the board of education to teachers who meet qualifications set by the board and who shall be subject to supervisory conditions set by the board.)
 
Senate Bill No. 863  Gallo, Ruggerio, Goodwin, McCaffrey, Algiere, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION - CURRICULUM (Requires the commissioner of education to develop statewide academic standards and curriculum frameworks for the core subjects of mathematics, English language arts, science and technology, history and social studies, world languages, and the arts.)
 
Senate Bill No. 864  Satchell, DiPalma, Pearson, Seveney, Paolino, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM (Direct the council on elementary and secondary education to provide professional support and assistance to LEAs regarding effective ways to use data such as the LEA’s budget and demographics, school culture, and assessments to improve student performance.)
 
Senate Bill No. 865  Pearson, McCaffrey, Algiere, Goodwin, Ruggerio, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT (Expands the duties of principals over school personnel/facilities/budget/eliminates commissioner of post secondary education/authorizes board of education to adopt system evaluating public schools/local education agencies.)
 
Senate Bill No. 866 Sheehan, Quezada, Seveney, DiPalma, Felag, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS - TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW TEACHERS (Establishes testing requirements for initial certification of new teachers on or after July 1, 2021.)
 
Senate Bill No. 867  Paolino, Quezada, Pearson, DiPalma, Gallo, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS (Establishes a procedure for the certification of provisional educators.)
 
Senate Bill No. 868  Seveney, DiPalma, Cano, Lombardi, Lynch Prata, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION - TRAINING AND EVALUATION - NEW EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS (Directs council on elementary and secondary education to implement assessment and evaluation system. Also requires local education agencies (LEAs) to adopt the model assessment and evaluation system for use in their schools.)
 
Senate Bill No. 869  Metts, Goodwin, Gallo, Quezada, Pearson, AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION - TRAINING AND EVALUATION - FAST-TRACK PRINCIPAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (Allows teachers to obtain certification as a principal in an expedited period of time.)

​Chairman, Mark DeVine participates in a Business Walk on May 7th in the East Bay to kick off Small Business Week, meeting with businesses who gave open and honest feedback. The hope is that this walk helped community leaders to better understand the needs of the business community, so they can make more informed decisions and provide resource and support to help business retention and growth. www.connectgreaternewport.com

​Quick Overview of Last Week
Straws – The Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee held S.292 SubA for further study following a backlash from environmental groups over the inclusion of state preemption language in the amended version of the bill.  Business groups requested preemption in order to avoid traps that come with the potential of 39 different rules.  
Global Warming and Carbon Tax – These bills were held for further study by the committee.  The Chamber provided oral testimony along with one other business group, siting the existing high cost of energy in the state and the fact the bill calls for a $15 per metric ton of carbon tax if two other states pass a $5 per metric ton tax.  Many proponents testified during the 3 hour hearing noting the level of sea rise and storm changes, while one pleaded not to allow Earth to become the next Venus which she claimed is hot, not because it is closer to the sun but because the carbon on the planet is trapped in the atmosphere instead of the ground.
Non Compete Clause – Both the Senate and House versions were held for further study while amended language is worked on with input from various interest groups.
 
This Week at the State House
FY2020 Budget Update
This week will end with the final Revenue Estimating Conference meeting that takes place Friday, May 10th.  The Governor, House Finance and Senate Finance committees will come to an agreement on revenues available for the FY2020 budget.  As has been stated before, this is a crucial meeting (begins at 9:00 a.m.) setting the stage for the development of the budget and all of the issues the business community has discussed with legislators over the past four months.
Last week, economists painted a gloomy picture of the job growth opportunities in Rhode Island.  December of 2018 saw the state reach its high point in the number of jobs, a number that appears to have been overstated at the time.  Rhode Island lost about 2800 jobs in the last quarter, and with the overstated job number from December, it appears the state has 10,000 fewer jobs than that reported at the end of 2018.  An economist from HIS Markit provided testimony that 3,200 jobs were eliminated from the administrative support sector (including office personnel, HR, security and collections) and the waste management services sector.  The HIS experts do believe the state will experience a slight growth in jobs but that the economy is basically headed for a flat growth by 2023.  Young people – ages 16-24 are expected to exit Rhode Island, as the percentage of workers age 55 and over increases.
 
 Retail Acceptance of Cash
The House Corporations Committee is expected to pass H.5116 in an amended form on Tuesday.  The proposed SubA requires all retailers to accept cash for payment of goods and services except any on-line purchases or any internet purchases.
 
Naloxone In Public Places
On Tuesday, May 7 at the Rise, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will take testimony on S.827; a bill that requires public places (places holding 100 or more people) to have on site a naloxone box and at least one person properly trained in how to administer the life-saving injection or nose spray to anyone experiencing a drug overdose. The bill does contain a Good Samaritan clause protecting anyone who acts (or fails to act) to assist a person in need unless it constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton conduct.
 
School Building Projects Union Only
The Senate Labor Committee appears ready to pass S.713 SubA on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.  The bill requires school building projects, valued at $5 million or more, to hire only contractors that have – prior to bidding on the project - apprentices in every “apprenticeable trade” that will be needed to complete the job.  The contractor must also ensure that no less than 10% of the labor hours worked on the project are performed by apprentices.  An escape clause exists in the bill; but the clause is only triggered after the bid has been awarded.  The wording of this bill ensures that only union contractors will be able to bid on these school projects, because no merit shop contractor can meet the apprenticeship requirement given the apprentice to journeyman ratios that currently exist in Rhode Island law.
 
Employee Bills In Senate Judiciary
Thursday, May 9 at the Rise will find the Senate Judiciary Committee taking testimony on various employee/employer bills. S.169 proposes to end Rhode Island’s Employee-At-Will doctrine.  S.460 changes the definition of employee under the Fair Employment Practices Act to include family members, apprentices, volunteers, unpaid interns, and elected officials.  The bill also allows employees to be held individually liable for actions against fellow employees.  S.493, submitted on behalf of the Attorney General’s office, adopts a version of what is known as the MA 93A law.  The AG’s office would be permitted to seek civil damages for violations of the Deceptive Trade law as interpreted by the AG.  This bill is particularly troublesome for industries that are heavily regulated by other agencies, as what one agency believes is an appropriate action, the AG could interpret differently and bring charges.  Finally, S.598 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.
 
The following bill was filed last week:
 
House Bill No. 6054  Azzinaro, Kennedy, Shekarchi, Edwards, Blazejewski, AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP ACT (Allows a motor vehicle repair shop owner to sell, at a commercially recordable sale, a customer's vehicle if they fail to pay over thirty (30) days of properly charged storage fees.)
 
House Bill No. 6062  Ackerman, Shekarchi, Bennett, Amore, McNamara, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RESTROOM ACCESS ACT (Requires retail establishments with 3 persons or more on premises without public restrooms to allow customers to use employee restrooms for certain medical conditions upon presentation of documentary proof with violators fined $250. Effective 1/1/20)
 
Senate Bill No. 827  Valverde, Miller, Goldin, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - NALOXONE PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM (Requires public places to have naloboxes or naloxone on the premises for access and use during emergencies by trained employees or the general public with "Good Samaritan" protections.)
 
Senate Bill No. 835  Lombardi, Ciccone, Lombardo, Gallo, McCaffrey, 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.)
 
Senate Bill No. 836  Lombardi, Ciccone, Lombardo, Gallo, McCaffrey, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - PAYMENT OF WAGES (Creates a mechanism for employees to enforce their existing right to continuation of medical benefits, reinstatement of status and benefits after returning from being a temporary caregiver and relating to Sunday wage laws.)
 
Senate Bill No. 848  Goodwin, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (An insurer found in violation of the unfair claims settlement practices act can be liable for three (3) times the amount of damages.)
 
Senate Bill No. 849   Goodwin, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT (Amends and expand the definitions of unfair claims practices committed by insurers with regard to physical inspection, performance of appraisals, retail valuation and total loss notification to owner.)