Governor’s Budget Released Governor McKee released his vision for the FY2024 budget. The 204-page document addresses his ideas for spending the $610 million in surplus money, for a total budget of $13.8 billion. The spending plan includes additional money for education, mental health, the environment, infrastructure and capital projects, as well as tax cuts and tax freezes. Over the next few weeks, the Chamber will take a look at particular budget Articles to give you a closer look at what the budget contains. What’s next? The House Finance Committee and the Senate Finance Committee will begin to hold hearings in the next few weeks. Those hearings will continue through May. The May Revenue Estimating Conference is held mid-May. This conference reviews the revenue and expenditure data in order to determine the most up-to-date estimates; and then the House Finance Committee will vote out a revised budget in June if all goes to plan. Budget Article 4 – Relating to Taxation Article 4 proposes to (1) freeze the gas tax at its current level, (2) reduce the sales tax from 7% to 6.85%, and (3) eliminate the litter control license fee for businesses. In 2014, the legislature passed a budget that included an automatic increase in the gasoline tax. Every two years the tax is adjusted by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index. The next increase is scheduled to occur July 1, 2023, and it will be a 3-cent increase from the current 34 cents a gallon to 37 cents a gallon. The Governor proposes to freeze the tax at 34 cpg until July 1, 2025 at which time the tax would be adjusted accordingly. The freeze is estimated to save consumers $25 million over the next two years. In his State of the State Address, Governor McKee pointed out that the State’s sales tax “was raised during the banking crisis with a promise to be reduced once the crisis was over. That didn’t happen.” The proposed budget includes a sales tax decrease from 7% to 6.85%. The Governor considers this reduction a “first phase” with the hope of continuing to decrease the tax until it matches Massachusetts at 6.25%. The initial reduction is estimated to reduce state revenues by $35 million a year. A tax rate of 6.25%. would result in a revenue reduction of $173 million a year. The final piece of Article 4 is the elimination of the Taxation of Beverage Containers and Hard-To-Dispose Material. Under current law Beverage wholesalers (defined as those who engage in the “sale of beverage containers to beverage retailers in this state, including any brewer, manufacturer, or bottler who engages in those sales”) pay a fee based on their gross receipts. The fee starts at $25 and can go as high as $1000 per year. Article 4 eliminates the fee, saving Rhode Island wholesalers just under $1 million. Budget Article 6 – Relating to Small Business Article 6 (1) clarifies that municipalities have the ability to license second-hand metal article sales, (2) exempts local licensing requirements for second-hand consignment good, resale goods, thrift goods and antiques, (3) lowers the minimum corporate tax from $400 to $375, (4) eliminates the trade-in value for trucks and motorcycles from sales tax, and (5) creates a food products donation tax credit. The first two elements of this article deal with local licensing requirements. The intent is to exempt from local licensure, “second-hand consignment goods” defined as “items, including but not limited to artwork, furniture, clothing, accessories and books that are sold by a third party, which receives a percentage of the revenue form the sale.” The Article also exempts “Resale goods” defined as “artwork, furniture, clothing, accessories and books that are purchased from the original owner and resold.” “Thrift Goods” are defined as “artwork, furniture, clothing accessories, and books, that are sold by or on behalf of a charity or non-profit organization. And, “Antiques” are defined as “items made in an earlier period that are collected and considered to have value because they are beautiful, rare, old, or of high quality.” Anyone selling these items would no longer need to be locally licensed if this Article passes as is. The Governor proposes to decrease the minimum corporate tax from $400 a year to $375. This is estimated to affect 65,000 business entities. The revenue reduction has not yet been released. Article 6 eliminates, from sales tax, the trade-in value on motorcycles and trucks with a gross weight of up to 14,000 pounds. This issue comes up every year in the legislature. This item is estimated to save consumers about $5 million per year. Lastly, Article 6 creates a new “Food Products Donation Tax Credit” in the amount of 15% of the value of donated food up to $5,000 for a taxable year. Anyone who derives income from growing fruits, nuts, grains, vegetables or other food products, or raises animals for consumption can donate food to a food pantry and claim the credit against taxes owed to the state. The language includes a 4-year carryforward provision in the event the taxpayer has more credit available than tax liability. The Article clarifies that food product does not mean cannabis or cannabis products. The Division of Taxation is required to create forms suitable for filing the credit. The following new bills have been filed: Senate Bill No. 14 Miller, Valverde, Kallman, Gu, DiMario, Lauria, 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.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0014.pdf Senate Bill No. 16 Kallman, DiMario, Euer, Miller, LaMountain, Pearson, Valverde, Brito, Gu, Ujifusa, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COMPREHENSIVE PFAS BAN ACT OF 2023 (Prohibits use of PFAS in carpets, upholstered furniture, textile furnishings, apparel, cosmetics, juvenile products, cookware, firefighting foam and gives authority to the department of environmental management to regulate and the use.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0016.pdf Senate Bill No. 19 Ciccone, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0019.pdf Senate Bill No. 23 Miller, Goodwin, Pearson, Gallo, Euer, Ruggerio, DiMario, Valverde, Acosta, Zurier, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE (Guarantees availability of coverage to eligible residents of state and does not limit or exclude coverage by imposing a preexisting condition exclusion.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0023.pdf Senate Bill No. 36 Kallman, McKenney, Goodwin, Gallo, Burke, Ruggerio, LaMountain, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES (Provides for contractor liability for debts owed to an employer or third party on the wage claimants behalf, incurred by a subcontractor.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0036.pdf Senate Bill No. 37 Ciccone, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Sets the minimum wage at fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour commencing January 1, 2024, and at twenty dollars ($20.00) per hour commencing January 1, 2025.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0037.pdf House Bill No. 5199 (Governor), AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING REVISED APPROPRIATIONS IN SUPPORT OF FY 2023 http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5199.pdf House Bill No. 5200 (Governor), AN ACT MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5200.pdf House Bill No. 5159 McGaw, McNamara, Carson, Speakman, Ackerman, Potter, Donovan, Ajello, Kislak, Tanzi, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES (Requires installation of designated electric vehicle parking spaces, with charging capabilities, by certain business/ municipalities/housing developments in existing/new/expanded parking lots as of 1/1/24.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5159.pdf House Bill No. 5175 McNamara, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- ACCESSIBLE RESIDENCE MODIFICATIONS (Allows health insurance plans to provide coverage for accessible residence modifications determined to be medically necessary.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5175.pdf House Bill No. 5181 Sanchez, Morales, Stewart, Giraldo, Vella-Wilkinson, Potter, Batista, Henries, Caldwell, Slater, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Repeals the law that allowed employers to pay some of their minor employees and employees who are full time students and not attained the age of nineteen (19) less than minimum hourly wages, requiring them to be paid a minimum hourly wage.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5181.pdf House Bill No. 5192 Solomon, O'Brien, Craven, Casimiro, Casey, Cardillo, Kennedy, Azzinaro, J. Brien, Lima, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES--LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION (Reduces the sales tax rate to six percent (6%).) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5192.pdf House Bill No. 5209 Corvese, Vella-Wilkinson, Fellela, Solomon, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF CRIMINALS -- REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS (Prohibits any employer from denying any person employment based on a prior criminal conviction and prohibits state from disqualifying any person from any occupation for which a license is required based on a prior conviction.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5209.pdf
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Governor to Deliver the State of the State Address Governor Dan McKee will present his State of the State Address Tuesday. The address will be televised and should include a brief outline of his budget priorities for FY2024 which begins in July. The budget is also expected to include the Governor’s proposal for spending the remainder of the federal relief dollars provided to Rhode Island. The State is expected to have a $610 million surplus for FY2024 only. In addition, various outlets have reported Rhode Island will have an additional $100 million surplus as a result of unspent FY2023 funds. While that money is available, it is important to note that restrictions are tied to those dollars based on federal government requirements. Last week, state agencies appeared before the new Senate Finance Committee to provide a report detailing the income and expenditure process for the federal ARPA funds. The process required agencies to put on paper a plan for the acceptance and expenditure of ARPA funds. The Department of Administration then had to review each plan to ensure that the plan met all of the federal requirements so that the state would not risk having to reimburse the federal government at a later date. Once approved, the money was then physically transferred to the agency or entity carrying out the program; and, finally, the agency/entity could begin to implement the program. Senate Names Chairs of Committees Senate President Ruggerio named committee chairs and members last week. Leading the Senate Finance Committee is Senator Louis DiPalma who represents Senate District 12 – Little Compton, Middletown, Newport and Tiverton. Senator Dawn Euer is chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She represents District 13, Newport and Jamestown. The Senate Environment Committee will be chaired by Senator Alana DiMario of District 36, North Kingstown, Narragansett and New Shoreham. Senator Mark McKenney, of District 30, Warwick, is the chair of Senate Oversight. Members of all of the committees can be found at: https://www.rilegislature.gov/Pages/committees.aspx The House is expected to name committee chairs and members following the adoption of the 2023-24 rules. CHAMBER MEMBER ACTION REQUEST - Preparations for 2023 Session The Chamber may be calling you, asking for your assistance as we prepare for this new session. Please go to https://vote.sos.ri.gov and click on “Find Your Elected Officials.” Enter zip code and address. Find your “Representative District” legislator and your “Senate District” legislator (if you live in Rhode Island). Email your name and the legislators’ names to _____________________. The Chamber will be compiling a database for future grassroots efforts. If you also know a legislator who lives in another district, please send that information to the Chamber as well and we will include it in the database. Thank you for your help! The following new bills have been filed: House Bill No. 5036 Shanley, Cortvriend, Craven, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- FILING OF ASSUMED NAME (Makes amendments necessary to use the term "trade name" rather than "assumed name", for purposes of the commercial law chapter on filing an assumed name/provides for the administration/regulation of the use of trade names with a 2 yr. renewal requirement.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5036.pdf House Bill No. 5050 Edwards, Bennett, Kazarian, Shanley, Hull, Brien, Potter, Alzate, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS BY CONTRACTORS (Amends the definition of public works so that it would include any public works projects performed for any city or town or quasi-municipal entity and the state and any quasi-state entity.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5050.pdf House Bill No. 5080 J Lombardi, Hull, Felix, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- COVID-19 PANDEMIC INSURANCE RECOVERY ACT (Allows businesses that had an insurance policy in place for business interruption as of March 9, 2020 or thereafter to recover from their insurance companies for a COVID-19 business impact.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5080.pdf House Bill No. 5091 Bennett, Carson, Speakman, Cortvriend, McEntee, Caldwell, Shanley, Donovan, Ajello, Handy, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING (Reduces equitable relationships between packaging producers and local governments and communities by establishing the Package Reduction and Recycling Program.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5091.pdf The 2023 Session Begins
Welcome to the 2023 Subscription to Under the Dome. Not only is it the beginning of a new session, but also the beginning of a new legislative term. New legislators were sworn in last week, and we await the official naming of House and Senate Committee members in addition to committee chairs. Key dates for 2023 include the following: Last day for Senate public bill introduction – To Be Announced (usually prior to Winter recess) Last day for House public bill introduction – To Be Announced (usually prior to Winter recess) Winter Recess – February 20-24, 2023 Spring Recess – April 10-14, 2023 Governor, Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio Announce Priorities Last Tuesday, Governor Dan McKee was sworn in as Governor, and both Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio were re-elected to lead their legislative bodies. Below is a list of priorities each one highlighted in their inaugural/acceptance speeches. Governor McKee’s Priorities: (1) Raising incomes for all Rhode Islanders – making sure everyone has the skills to get good-paying jobs, (2) Raising education outcomes for children to reach Massachusetts levels by 2030, and (3) create a healthier Rhode Island where by reducing chronic illness and improving health outcomes. Speaker Shekarchi’s Priorities: (1) Review and address barriers to housing production in Rhode Island, (2) Make Rhode Island a leader in the bioscience field, and (3) Move away from fossil fuels. Senate President Ruggerio’s Priorities: (1) Ensure every student receives a quality education – overhaul the school funding formula as well as fund a pre-k program for every child, (2) Ensure every Rhode Islander can access health care, especially mental health care, and (3) Ensure our children inherit a cleaner more resilient environment. Division of Taxation Proposes Electronic Transfer Rule The Division of Taxation released a proposed regulation based on legislation that was passed in 2022. The legislation requires “larger business registrants” to file taxes through the use of an electronic transfer system which the regulation calls the “Modernized Electronic Filing (MEF) system, administered by the Internal Revenue Service, streamline sales tax return, and bulk electronic filings by third party providers.” It also calls for payment of taxes owed through the Division of Taxation’s on-line tax-payer portal, payments through MEF, single or bulk electronic payments by third party providers, payments made by EFT, and payments through an authorized credit card processor. The Regulation defines a "Larger business registrant" as a person who: 1. Operates as a business whose combined annual liability for all taxes administered by the Division of Taxation for the entity is or exceeds five thousand dollars ($5,000.00); or 2. Operated as a business whose annual gross income is over one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for the entity. The regulation specifically states that “Individuals and trusts filing personal or fiduciary income tax returns are not larger business registrants for the purposes of R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-1-31.2.” This requirement is set to become effective January 1, 2023; however, the public comment period for the proposed regulation ends January 30, 2023. To read the proposed regulation, or to submit comments, go to: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/promulgations/part/280-20-30-1 CHAMBER MEMBER ACTION REQUEST - Preparations for 2023 Session Throughout the legislative session, the Chamber may be calling on you, asking for your assistance conveying our message on legislation to legislators. Please go to https://vote.sos.ri.gov and click on “Find Your Elected Officials.” Enter zip code and address. Find your “Representative District” legislator and your “Senate District” legislator (if you live in Rhode Island). Email your name and the legislators name to _____________________. The Chamber will be compiling a database for future grassroots efforts. If you also know a legislator who lives in another district, please send that information to the Chamber as well and we will include it in the database. Thank you for your help! The following new bills have been filed: House Bill No. 5012 BY Bennett, Baginski, McGaw, Fenton-Fung, Corvese, Solomon, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY (Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5012.pdf House Bill No. 5015 BY Morales, Shallcross Smith, Speakman, Bennett, Cruz, McEntee, Henries, Vella-Wilkinson, Stewart, Tanzi, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Repeals the law that prevented municipalities from establishing their own minimum wage for their employees.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5015.pdf  The Rhode Island Division of Taxation has posted a plain-language summary of key tax provisions that were enacted in the 2022 session of the Rhode Island General Assembly.
Most of the tax changes were enacted in the budget bill for the 2023 fiscal year. Some of the changes were enacted in stand-alone legislation. View a copy of the Division's Summary of Legislative Changes: https://tax.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur541/files/2022-07/ADV_2022_17_summary_of_legislative_changes.pdf Under the Dome New Law 2022 Wrap Up
We, at the Chamber, hope you are enjoying your summer. The House and Senate have been transmitting bills periodically to Governor McKee for his consideration. As explained earlier, this is a normal process to avoid inundating the Governor with hundreds of bills to sign, veto or allow to go into law without his signature, within a seven-day period. It is finally time to release a list of 30 new laws passed in 2022 that touch the business community. There are many other laws that passed this year, but in the interest of time and space, we have limited the report to these 30 new laws. We have included the names of the sponsors of each bill to assist you in your election considerations this year. Labor Laws Senate Bill No. 2242 Chapter 074, Burke, Archambault, DiMario, Valverde, Coyne, Ciccone, Raptakis, McCaffrey, Cano, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Repeals § 28-12-9 of the general laws which provides that the director of labor and training may approve of wages below the minimum wage for those persons whose earning capacity is impaired due to physical or mental disability.) House Bill No. 7511 Chapter 073, Shekarchi, Ackerman, Bennett, McNamara, Shanley, Messier, Azzinaro, Kennedy, Serpa, Batista, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- MINIMUM WAGES (Repeals § 28-12-9 of the general laws which provides that the director of labor and training may approve of wages below the minimum wage for those persons whose earning capacity is impaired due to physical or mental disability.) Senate Bill No. 2246 SUB A Chapter 246, Kallman, Coyne, Sosnowski, Goodwin, Acosta, Zurier, Mack, Cano, DiPalma, Seveney, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - TIP PROTECTION (Prohibits employers from receiving any portion of the tips given by customers to their tipped employees, with limited exceptions for credit card service charges.) House Bill No. 7510 SUB A Chapter 245, Morales, Felix, Williams, Alzate, Kislak, Tanzi, Speakman, Henries, Vella-Wilkinson, McEntee, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - TIP PROTECTION (Prohibits employers from receiving any portion of the tips given by customers to their tipped employees, with limited exceptions for credit card service charges.) Senate Bill No. 2412 SUB A as amended Chapter 233, Cano, Quezada, Lawson, Kallman, Ciccone, Burke, DiPalma, Murray, Acosta, Euer, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- BUILDING SERVICE WORK (Requires that janitors and security guards employed, pursuant to state contracts worth more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) of janitorial or security services, be paid a standard compensation rate.) House Bill No. 7200 SUB A as amended Chapter 232, Diaz, Slater, Amore, Morales, Biah, Alzate, Cortvriend, Kazarian, Batista, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- BUILDING SERVICE WORK (Requires that janitors and security guards employed, pursuant to state contracts worth more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) of janitorial or security services, be paid a standard compensation rate.) Senate Bill No. 2418 SUB A Chapter 082, Gallo, Pearson, Goodwin, Lombardo, Murray, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN (Requires children who seek a special limited work permit to successfully complete a worker rights' training program established and funded by the department of labor and training.) House Bill No. 6652 Chapter 081, Noret, Casimiro, Vella-Wilkinson, Alzate, Solomon, Craven, Amore, Casey, S Lima, J Lombardi, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN (Same as 21H-5619 -- Requires children who seek a special limited work permit to successfully complete a training program which shall address workers' rights, workplace health and safety, and workers' compensation, to be established and funded by the DLT.) Senate Bill No. 2551 SUB B Chapter 272, Kallman, McCaffrey, Gallo, DiMario, Ruggerio, Miller, Lawson, Valverde, Seveney, Lombardo, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- REBUILD RHODE ISLAND TAX CREDIT (Defines "construction worker" and provides for wage and benefits in accordance with chapter 13 of title 37.) House Bill No. 7985 SUB A Chapter 271, Potter, Alzate, Slater, Diaz, Bennett, J Lombardi, Amore, Henries, Morales, O'Brien, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- REBUILD RHODE ISLAND TAX CREDIT (Requires that all entities receiving tax credits from the state pay their workers the prevailing wage or other payments pursuant to § 37-13. This act would also allow the revocation of the tax credits for violation of this act.) These bills are identical. Senate Bill No. 2666 SUB A Chapter 116, DiPalma, Seveney, Cano, Quezada, Gallo, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING--DIGITAL CREDENTIALING (Mandates the department of labor and training to require publicly funded workforce and training programs to supplement all paper-based credentials with verified electronic credentials.) House Bill No. 8056 SUB A Chapter 115, Messier, Fellela, Barros, Baginski, Alzate, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING--DIGITAL CREDENTIALING (Mandates the department of labor and training to require publicly funded workforce and training programs to supplement all paper-based credentials with verified electronic credentials.) Senate Bill No. 2816 SUB A Chapter 118, (Dept. of Labor and Training) Goodwin, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY -- GENERAL PROVISIONS (Extends until June 30, 2023, an increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.) House Bill No. 7863 SUB A Chapter 117, (Dept. of Labor and Training) McEntee, Caldwell, Morales, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY--GENERAL PROVISIONS (Extends until June 30, 2023, an increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.) Senate Bill No. 2977 Chapter 248, Ciccone, F Lombardi, McCaffrey, Goodwin, de la Cruz, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION (This act is the annual workers' compensation omnibus.) House Bill No. 8259 Chapter 247, Williams, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION (This act is the annual workers' compensation omnibus.) Environmental Laws Senate Bill No. 2044 SUB A Chapter 293, Seveney, DiPalma, Euer, DiMario, Cano, Kallman, Coyne, Miller, Pearson, McCaffrey, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TOXIC PACKAGING REDUCTION ACT (Prohibits the sale or promotional distribution of any food package in Rhode Island which contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), effective January 1, 2024.) House Bill No. 7438 SUB A Chapter 294, Cortvriend, Speakman, Carson, Morales, Marszalkowski, McGaw, Ruggiero, Fogarty, Donovan, Kislak, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TOXIC PACKAGING REDUCTION ACT (Prohibits the sale or promotional distribution of any food package containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), effective January 1, 2024. Provisions of § 23-18.13-3(g)(3) sunset on July 1, 2027.) Senate Bill No. 2274 SUB A as amended Chapter 218, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Euer, Kallman, DiMario, Gallo, Miller, Sosnowski, Felag, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY (Increases the percentage of retail electricity sales from renewable energy sources.) House Bill No. 7277 SUB A Chapter 226, Ruggiero, Bennett, Handy, Potter, Hull, Diaz, Kazarian, Speakman, Carson, Donovan, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS-RENEWABLE ENERGY (Increases the percentage of retail electricity sales from renewable energy sources.) Senate Bill No. 2446 Chapter 176, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Gallo, DiMario, Kallman, Miller, Burke, Sosnowski, Lawson, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT (Creates the "Plastic Waste Reduction Act" designed to reduce the use of plastic bags by retail establishments by offering recyclable bag options and providing penalties for violations.) House Bill No. 7065 SUB A Chapter 177, McEntee, Cortvriend, Speakman, Donovan, Carson, Caldwell, Craven, Morales, Kislak, Ruggiero, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION ACT (Creates the "Plastic Waste Reduction Act" designed to reduce the use of plastic bags by retail establishments by offering recyclable bag options and providing penalties for violations.) Senate Bill No. 2740 SUB B Chapter 381, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Euer, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- LABOR STANDARDS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS (Adds a new chapter known as the Labor Standards in Renewable Energy Projects.) House Bill No. 8074 SUB A Chapter 380, Solomon, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- LABOR STANDARDS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS (Established labor standards applicable to renewable energy projects and conditions/procedures for applicants related to labor agreements with enforcement by department of labor and training (DLT).) House Bill No. 7611 SUB A Chapter 374, Carson, Alzate, Bennett, Solomon, Cortvriend, Ranglin-Vassell, Giraldo, Abney, Donovan, Speakman, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE (Establishes the Rhode Island executive climate change coordinating council equity and environmental justice advisory board to advise on decision-making and equitable outcomes.) Health Insurance Related Laws Senate Bill No. 2201 SUB A Chapter 151, Goodwin, McCaffrey, Coyne, Miller, Pearson, Gallo, Ruggerio, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- BIOMARKER TESTING COVERAGE (Requires health insurers, nonprofit hospital service corporations, nonprofit medical service corporations and health maintenance organizations that issue policies that provide coverage for biomarker testing on or after 1/1/23.) House Bill No. 7587 SUB A Chapter 152, Ackerman, McNamara, Serpa, Chippendale, Bennett, Baginski, Filippi, Diaz, Amore, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- BIOMARKER TESTING COVERAGE (Requires health insurers, nonprofit hospital service corporations, nonprofit medical service corporations and health maintenance organizations that issue policies that provide coverage for biomarker testing on or after 1/1/23.) Senate Bill No. 2203 SUB B as amended Chapter 423, Lawson, DiMario, Burke, Murray, Cano, Quezada, Valverde, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE (Requires coverage for the treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections/pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, including, but not limited to, the use of intravenous immunoglobin therapy.) House Bill No. 7503 SUB B as amended Chapter 422, Amore, Henries, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE (Requires coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, including, but not limited to, the use of intravenous immunoglobin therapy.) Senate Bill No. 3035 Chapter 371, Cano, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES (Provides health care coverage for laparoscopic removal of uterine fibroids, including uterine artery embolization intraoperative ultrasound guidance and monitoring and radiofrequency ablation, commencing January 1, 2023.) House Bill No. 7561 Chapter 370, Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, Noret, Ruggiero, Serpa, Diaz, Casimiro, Baginski, Kazarian, Alzate, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES (Provides health care coverage for laparoscopic removal of uterine fibroids, including uterine artery embolization intraoperative ultrasound guidance and monitoring and radiofrequency ablation, commencing January 1, 2023.) Parking Lot Requirements Senate Bill No. 2345 Chapter 240, Acosta, Cano, Valverde, DiMario, Zurier, Anderson, Calkin, Mack, Miller, DiPalma, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES (Requires motor vehicle parking spaces in lots with >100 spaces specifically designed for persons transporting young children under the age of 3/baby strollers except for single-family/duplex/townhouse/multifamily residences/industrial zoned properties.) House Bill No. 7743 Chapter 239, Giraldo, Williams, Morales, Alzate, Felix, Barros, Amore, Biah, AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES (Requires motor vehicle parking spaces in lots with >100 spaces specifically designed for persons transporting young children under the age of 3/baby strollers except for single-family/duplex/townhouse/multifamily residences/industrial zoned properties.) Business Administrative Laws Senate Bill No. 2093 Chapter 108, F Lombardi, Archambault, McCaffrey, Euer, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCIAL RECEIVERSHIP ACT (Creates temporary non-liquidating receivership program for businesses with substantial revenue decline after declared emergency/suspended/ceased substantial part of operation resulting by emergency police/regulatory powers.) House Bill No. 7895 Chapter 107, Craven, Caldwell, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTIONS -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCIAL RECEIVERSHIP ACT (Creates temporary non-liquidating receivership program for businesses with substantial revenue decline after declared emergency/suspended/ceased substantial part of operation resulting by emergency police/regulatory powers.) Senate Bill No. 2645 SUB A Chapter 238, Euer, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- FILING OF ASSUMED NAME (Requires individuals transacting business in RI under any assumed name to file in person, by mail, or electronically with the office of the city or town clerk the true or real full name(s) of the person(s) transacting business and their email address.) House Bill No. 8001 Chapter 237, Carson, Cortvriend, Donovan, Speakman, Edwards, McGaw, Ruggiero, Abney, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- FILING OF ASSUMED NAME (Requires individuals transacting business in RI under any assumed name to file in person, by mail, or electronically with the office of the city or town clerk the true or real full name(s) of the person(s) transacting business and their email address.) Senate Bill No. 2812 Chapter 122, (Secretary of State) F Lombardi, Euer, Archambault, Ciccone, Lombardo, McCaffrey, AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- UNIFORM LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ACT (Enacts the Rhode Island Limited Partnership Act to govern the law of limited partnerships in this state and repeal chapter 12 of title 7 entitled "Limited Partnerships".) House Bill No. 7603 Chapter 121, (Secretary of State) Amore, AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- UNIFORM LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ACT (Enacts the Rhode Island Limited Partnership Act to govern the law of limited partnerships in this state and repeal chapter 12 of title 7 entitled "Limited Partnerships".) Senate Bill No. 2813 Chapter 124, (Secretary of State) F Lombardi, Euer, Archambault, Ciccone, Lombardo, McCaffrey, AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- UNIFORM PARTNERSHIP ACT (Enacts the Uniform Partnership Act to govern the law of partnerships in this state.) House Bill No. 7753 Chapter 123, (Secretary of State) Amore, AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- UNIFORM PARTNERSHIP ACT (Enacts the Uniform Partnership Act to govern the law of partnerships in this state.) General Business or Industry Specific Laws Senate Bill No. 2132 SUB A Chapter 033, Murray, Raptakis, Seveney, DiMario, Lawson, Kallman, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Holders of Class B licenses shall offer the public food during times alcoholic beverages are sold to the public.) House Bill No. 7417 SUB A Chapter 034 Hawkins, Cardillo, Bennett, O'Brien, Noret, Kazarian, Caldwell, Biah, Phillips, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Holders of Class B licenses shall offer the public food during times alcoholic beverages are sold to the public.) Senate Bill No. 2134 Chapter 002, DiMario, Picard, Acosta, Euer, Lawson, Valverde, DiPalma, Zurier, Murray, Burke, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SMALL BUSINESSES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Imposes one year moratorium on enforcement of municipal ordinance or zoning requirement that penalizes owners of food service establishments/bars for modifications/alternations to their premises in response to an emergency declaration.) House Bill No. 7095 Chapter 001, McEntee, Carson, Alzate, Caldwell, Costantino, Cortvriend, Craven, Morales, Batista, Kazarian, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Extends the period for the moratorium imposed on the enforcement of any municipal ordinance or zoning regulation relating to any alterations or modifications made to an establishment in order to comply with emergency declarations until April 1, 2023.) Senate Bill No. 2153 as amended Chapter 004, Gallo, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE LICENSES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Repeals 3/1/22 sunset provision allowing Class B/brew pub licensees to sell wine/beer/mixed drinks with food takeout orders only.) House Bill No. 7209 SUB A Chapter 003, Baginski, McEntee, Caldwell, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE LICENSES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Repeals 3/1/22 sunset provision allowing Class B/brew pub licensees to sell wine/beer/mixed drinks with food takeout orders only.) Senate Bill No. 2430 SUB A as amended Chapter 032, Miller, McCaffrey, Goodwin, Ruggerio, Coyne, Pearson, Acosta, Kallman, Archambault, Murray, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT (The Rhode Island Cannabis Act legalizes adult use of cannabis. It provides for licensing of cultivation, manufacture and retail sale of cannabis.) House Bill No. 7593 SUB A as amended Chapter 031, Slater, Hull, Williams, Kazarian, Solomon, McNamara, O'Brien, Potter, Bennett, Morales, AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT (The Rhode Island Cannabis Act legalizes adult use of cannabis. It provides for licensing of cultivation, manufacture and retail sale of cannabis.) Senate Bill No. 2432 Chapter 345, Sosnowski, DiPalma, Murray, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS--DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES (Amends how credit bureaus doing business in Rhode Island may disclose to inquiring users of credit reports by requiring that in addition to the social security number, the name matches the identity of the person who is the subject of the inquiry.) House Bill No. 8346 Chapter 344, Solomon, Casey, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS--DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES (Amends how credit bureaus doing business in Rhode Island may disclose to inquiring users of credit reports by requiring that in addition to the social security number, the name matches the identity of the person who is the subject of the inquiry.) Senate Bill No. 2492 SUB A Chapter 192, Murray, Raptakis, Bell, Lawson, Seveney, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE LICENSES (Authorizes manufacturer-breweries to sell up to three (3) drinks on premises per visitor per day, where a drink is defined as up to sixteen ounces (16 oz.).) House Bill No. 7727 SUB A Chapter 193, McEntee, Caldwell, Cortvriend, O'Brien, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE LICENSES (Authorizes manufacturer-breweries to sell up to three (3) drinks on premises per visitor per day, where a drink is defined as up to sixteen ounces (16 oz.) of beer or one and one-half ounces (1.5 oz.) of spirits.) Senate Bill No. 2511 SUB A as amended Chapter 236, Ciccone, McCaffrey, Burke, Goodwin, AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HOTELS (Requires online posting of hotel rules. Allows ejection of person for verbally abusing or physically threatening a hotel employee or guest. Permits refusal of service to anyone under the age of 18, unless accompanied by an adult.) House Bill No. 7910 SUB A Chapter 235, Bennett, Carson, McEntee, Baginski, AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HOTELS (Provides reasons for an innkeeper to remove guests from a hotel, and permits an innkeeper to refuse admission to a person under eighteen (18) years of age.) Senate Bill No. 2855 SUB A Chapter 281, Gallo, Goodwin, Pearson, Lombardo, Ciccone, Miller, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE (Increases the current levy on construction costs for residential building permits to be deposited into an exempt restricted receipts account to be used for training grants, including programs for local and state building officials and minority businesses.) House Bill No. 7332 SUB A Chapter 280, McNamara, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE (Increases the levy on total construction costs that cities and towns may charge for building permits and directs that fifty percent (50%) each of the levy be transmitted monthly to the department of labor and training for workforce training.) Senate Bill No. 2794 Chapter 339, (Dept. of Business Regulation) Sosnowski, AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- CREATION AND EXPANSION (Amends a number of provisions in the general laws relative to financial institutions by eliminating unnecessary requirements and/or clarifying language in order to reduce certain burdens on businesses operating in Rhode Island.) House Bill No. 7781 SUB A Chapter 338, (Dept. of Business Regulation) Solomon, AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- CREATION AND EXPANSION (Amends a number of provisions in the general laws relative to financial institutions by eliminating unnecessary requirements and/or clarifying language in order to reduce certain burdens on businesses operating in Rhode Island.)  Legislature Adjourns for 2022
The Legislature adjourned at 1:00am on Friday, June 24th, following a few hours of impasse over the Speaker’s affordable housing package and the Senate leadership’s desire to name a CCRI building after former Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed. The housing package did pass; the naming of the building will be an issue for another year. The Senate passed the budget and transmitted it to the Governor who is expected to sign it this week. Over the next couple weeks, the legislature will transmit bills to the Governor for his consideration. Should he veto any bill, the legislature will then decide whether to come back into special session to address those vetoes. Once that procedure is complete, the Chamber will send out a special edition of this publication to provide a list the new laws and links to those laws for your use. The end of session includes the reading of a resolution for each house and senate member that has decided not to run for re-election. This year provided one surprise as Minority Leader Blake Filippi of Charleston/New Shoreham/South Kingstown/Westerly announced he will not run again. He immediately submitted a letter of resignation as Leader. Representative Michael Chippendale of Coventry/Foster/Glocester was named the new Minority Leader with Representative David Place of Burriville/Glocester as Minority Whip. Chamber Legislative Wins
New Laws of Note H.8056SubA and S.2666SubA, Acts Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Department of Labor and Training – Digital Credentialing were signed into law June 21st. Starting July 1, 2023, the DLT will be required to obtain verified electronic credentials such as certifications, licenses, degrees and training completion certificates issued by workforce and training programs in addition to any paper-based credentials that it receives from participants. law22115 (state.ri.us) law22116 (state.ri.us) Also signed on June 21st were H.7863SubA and S.2816SubA, Acts Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Employment Security. These laws extend the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployed insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for benefits and an increase in the amount of earnings disregarded when calculating a weekly benefit rate. This COVID-19 program was set to expire June 30, 2022. It is now extended to June 30, 2023. law22117 (state.ri.us) law22118 (state.ri.us) 2022 Campaign Update – How Can You Help With the session now over, the campaign season will ramp into high activity mode. If your Representative or Senator (or a business-friendly candidate running for a seat) has been helpful to business, we ask you to consider helping them in the following ways:
 Session Enters Final Week - Again
The House passed the budget last Thursday night. The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on it Tuesday at 4:00 pm. Barring a breakdown between the three branches of government, this should be the last week of legislative session. The House 48-hour posting rule changes after the 50th legislative day of session, which has passed. The Rule states, “The time requirements of this section shall not apply to House bills returned from the Senate with amendment, or, after the 50th legislative day, to any bill originating in the Senate.” So many bills are eligible to be posted without 48-hour notice, although the leadership does try to give notice of postings in order to aid transparency. The Senate rules do not change after the 50th day. They continue to read, “The rule shall not apply to bills previously passed by the senate and amended by the house.” These rules aid in the effort to move bills more efficiently in the final days of session. So far this week votes and hearings are posted for Tuesday: The House State Government and Elections Committee is meeting Tuesday at 2:30 pm to pass both H.7743 and S.2345, Acts Relating to Motor Vehicles – Parking Facilities and Privileges. Unless a SubA is posted prior to the vote, these bills require all large parking lots (with a few exceptions, including industrial zoned properties) to include designated spots designed for persons transporting young children, under the age of three, and baby strollers. Lots with 101-500 spots must designate two spots; lots with 501-1000 spots must designate three spots; and lots with more than 100 spots must add one additional spot for each 500 parking spaces over 1000. Exemptions to this rule include single-family homes, duplexes, multifamily residences and industrial zoned properties. The bill contains specifications for the dimensions of the spots as well as the location. Property owners have two years from the date of enactment to comply. The bills can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2345.pdf http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/HouseText22/H7743.pdf The House Labor Committee meets at 3:30pm to pass a bill that bans employers from keeping any portion of an employee’s tip with exceptions for credit card charges associated with the tip. A SubA has been posted, making the language mirror current federal law. The bill number is H.7510. The SubA can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/HouseText22/H7743.pdf The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on S.2705 and H.7363 SubA, Acts Relating to State Affairs and Government – Justices of the Peace – Uniform Law on Notarial Acts. These bills would continue to recognize remote notarizations that became necessary and widely used during the pandemic. Final language is still be negotiated and further amendments are expected. The bills can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2705A.pdf http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/HouseText22/H7363A.pdf One hearing of note will take place in House Finance Tuesday at 3:00pm in room 35. H.8354, An Act Relating to Insurance – Psychiatry Resource Network Funding Act was introduced June 17th and is now scheduled for a hearing on the 21st. The bill creates the Rhode Island psychiatry resource network for the primary purpose of equitably determining and collecting assessments for the cost of psychiatry resource networks in the state which are not covered by other federal or state funding. An amount needed to pay for the program will be calculated each year and assessed on the following entities:
The bill can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/HouseText22/H8354.pdf If you wish to submit written testimony, send it to HouseFinance@legislature.gov Testimony should be sent by noon on Tuesday. Please write your name, bill number and position in the Subject line of the email. A Few New Laws Added to the books: S.2418SubA/H.6652 are now 2022 Public Laws Chapters 82 and 81. Any business that wishes to hire a child, that requires a limited work permit under law, please note that the child must certify to the Department of Labor that the child has successfully completed a training program created by the department which addresses workers' rights, workplace health and safety, and workers' compensation before a permit can be issued. The program is up to three hours long and is anticipated to be available virtually. While the law is effective today, the Department needs time to create the program and implement it. The law can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2418A.pdf H.7511, now 2022 Public Law Chapter 73, eliminates the ability of the Department of Labor and Training to approve wages below minimum wage for person impaired due to a mental or physical disability. The new law can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/HouseText22/H7511.pdf Are You Considering Running for Office? If you are considering running for a General Assembly seat – House or Senate - the deadline is approaching quickly. The Chamber can be most effective when business people run for office. Declarations for candidacy must be filed June 27th 28th or 29th at the Local Board of Canvassers in the City or Town where you are registered to vote. The Declaration of Candidacy is the document you sign to start the process of becoming a candidate. You “declare” yourself as a candidate for a particular office and if you wish to run as a party candidate, you also “declare” yourself to be a member of that party. All candidates for all public and party offices must file a Declaration of Candidacy. More information can be found at Welcome to your Voter Information Center New Bill Introductions:  Session Enters Final Week
With the budget passed by the House Finance Committee, the full House scheduled to vote on the budget Thursday, and bills passing fast and furiously, the General Assembly appears to be heading into the final week of session. The House has posted a floor calendar for Tuesday through Saturday in the event extra days are needed. The Senate has posted a floor calendar for Tuesday, but expected to add days as needed. Also notable, is that the 48-hour committee posting rule does not apply to many bills after the 50th day of session, so hearings can pop up at any time. Most of the bills posted for vote or hearing as of Sunday night are bills legislators had introduced earlier this year that found their way into the budget document. It is not unusual to pass the bills to recognize the legislators for their hard work in getting an initiative passed into law. Tuesday Hearing – Senate Health and Human Services, at the Rise in room 211. One bill, unrelated to language contained in the budget, is S.2769, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – Comprehensive Health Insurance Program. This 92-page bill creates a universal, single-payer health insurance system in Rhode Island. It sets rates, expands Medicare and Medicaid coverage, and increases paid leave to 160 hours a year. The sponsors anticipate paying for the program with increased efficiencies, federal dollars, state dollars, private grants, individual contributions in lieu of health insurance premiums, and a 10% payroll tax to be paid 80% by the employer and 20% by the employee. Self employed individuals would pay 10%. The bill allows the state to adjust the tax rate so that higher income bracket individuals pay more and lower income bracket individuals pay less. The bill is sponsored by Senator Sam Bell of Providence. UI Trust Fund Big Win For the Chamber! The House Finance Committee recommended passage of the FY2023 budget. Included in the $13.6 billion plan (which includes expenditures in outlying years) is a $100 million infusion of money into the Unemployment Trust Fund that was heavily depleted during the pandemic. The Chamber advocated strongly for this allocation. We wish to thank all the legislators who expressed support for the inclusion of the funds and, in particular, to Senate Finance Chairman Ryan Pearson and Representative Carol McEntee for their tireless efforts. The $100 million is expected to reduce the UI tax rate for 2023 (keep in mind your taxable wage base may likely increase due to the increase in employee wages). Thank you to everyone who communicated with legislators on this issue! What Else is in the Budget? The full budget can be viewed by clicking on the House Finance Agenda for June 9th State of Rhode Island General Assembly (rilegislature.gov) A few of the highlights are listed below:
Other policy-related items included in the budget are:
Are You Considering Running for Office? If you are considering running for a General Assembly seat – House or Senate - the deadline is approaching quickly. The Chamber can be most effective when business people run for office. Declarations for candidacy must be filed June 27th 28th or 29th at the Local Board of Canvassers in the City or Town where you are registered to vote. The Declaration of Candidacy is the document you sign to start the process of becoming a candidate. You “declare” yourself as a candidate for a particular office and if you wish to run as a party candidate, you also “declare” yourself to be a member of that party. All candidates for all public and party offices must file a Declaration of Candidacy. More information can be found at Welcome to your Voter Information Center New Bill Introductions: Senate Bill No. 3011 McCaffrey, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES (Restores the original legislative intent that employees may be held individually liable for their own discriminatory conduct.) S3011.pdf (state.ri.us) Senate Bill No. 3012 McCaffrey, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PAYMENT OF WAGES (Eliminates repealed statute references/creates mechanism for employees to enforce right to continuation of medical benefits/reinstates status and benefits after returning from being a temporary caregiver and for benefits relating to Sunday wage laws.) S3012.pdf (state.ri.us)  Budget Watch
As of Monday morning, the House Finance Committee had not yet posted the budget for consideration. The House may post it for consideration this week, with the hopes of completing the legislative session sometime between June 17th and June 24th. Once the budget is passed by the Committee, it must set on the desk seven days before the full House can vote on the bill. The Senate does not have the same rule. Last Week at the State House The Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government voted 6-1 (Senator Rogers opposed) to recommend passage of S.2345, An Act Relating to Motor and Other Vehicles – Parking Facilities and Privileges. S.2345 is scheduled for a full Senate vote Tuesday afternoon. The bill requires all large parking lots (with a few exceptions) to include designated spots designed for persons transporting young children, under the age of three, and baby strollers. Lots with 101-500 spots must designate two spots; lots with 501-1000 spots must designate three spots; and lots with more than 100 spots must add one additional spot for each 500 parking spaces over 1000. Exemptions to this rule include single-family homes, duplexes, multifamily residences and industrial zoned properties. The bill contains specifications for the dimensions of the spots as well as the location. Property owners have two years from the date of enactment to comply. The bill can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2345.pdf This Week at the State House Tuesday, June 7th Health care mandates are passing quickly. The House Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to vote on a few bills Tuesday including H.7454, An Act Relating to Insurance – Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies. H.7454 allows pregnant women to enroll in health insurance any time after the commencement of the pregnancy. Coverage becomes effective the first month in which the woman submits the application. It applies to both large and small employer plans as well as the exchange. The Senate Finance Committee is meeting at the Rise, approximately 4:30 in the Senate Lounge, to take testimony on S.2592, An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – RI Hard Hit Liquidity Program Act. The bill creates a $20 million RI HELP fund to provide assistance corporations, partnerships and sole proprietors that have received less than $500,000 thus far in federal assistance. Eligible businesses must have less than $5 million in annual sales and have experienced at least a 50% drop in sales in at least three months (November, 2020 to June, 2021) as compared to November 2018 to June, 2019. The bill can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2592.pdf Green building requirements are scheduled for a vote in the Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government at the Rise in room 310. S.2700, An Act Relating to Public Property and Works – The Green Buildings Act, expands the definition of public buildings under the Act to include private major facility projects. The bill also mandates public reporting on such projects. A “major facility project” is defined as “A building construction project larger than ten thousand (10,000) gross square feet of occupied or conditioned space; or (ii) A building renovation project larger than fifteen thousand (15,000) gross square feet of occupied or conditioned space.” Major Projects, if this bill passes into law, would be required to comply with LEED building requirements. Anyone wishing to submit testimony can attend in person or email written testimony to: SLegislation@rilegislature.gov The bill can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2700.pdf Wednesday, June 8th The House Environment & Energy Committee is expected to pass both the House and Senate versions of the plastic bag ban bills. H.7065 and S.2446 ban retailers from supplying customers with single-use plastic bags or paper bags not made of recyclable material. Penalties include a $100 fine for the first violation in a calendar year, $200 for the second offense in a calendar year, and $500 for the third violation or subsequent violations in a calendar year. The bill does contain a uniformity clause, which was requested by the business community, to avoid the confusion that follows municipal adoption of additional rules. The following new bill was filled last week: Senate Bill No. 2994 Pearson, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT (Establishes the Health Spending Accountability and Transparency Act and the Rhode Island All-Payer Health Care Payment Reform Act.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2994.pdf Legislative Session Enters Final Phase
Over the next few weeks, the legislature is expected to finish up the 2022 legislative session. A budget could be posted for consideration in the House Finance Committee within the next two to two and half weeks. At the same time, both the House and Senate will be voting out bills. Please keep a look out for emails from the Chamber asking for your help in contacting legislators. Last Week at the State House Bills legalizing the adult use of cannabis passed the House Finance Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. The 125-page bills are scheduled for votes on the House and Senate floors May 24th and could be on the Governor’s desk as early as May 25th. By the end of the week, these bills will likely be law. The bills allow anyone over the age of 21 to use the drug. A Cannabis Control Commission, comprised of three commissioners, will be responsible for the regulation, licensing and control of adult use and medical use as well. The Governor appoints the members with the advice and consent of the senate. This was a compromise between control by the Department of Business Regulation and control by a legislative appointed body. The compromise addressed concerns raised by the advocates for separation of powers. For employers, the bills state clearly that workers’ compensation coverage does not include medical marijuana and that an employer is not required to accommodate the use of medical marijuana in the workplace or the possession of legal cannabis at the workplace. Remote work is treated the same as a centralized worksite. Employers may implement drug use policies which prohibit the use or possession of cannabis in the workplace or prohibit performing work under the influence of cannabis. An employer cannot fire or take disciplinary action against an employee solely for an employee's private, lawful use of cannabis outside the workplace as long as the employee is not working under the influence of cannabis. The bills carve out an exception for businesses that must maintain a zero tolerance in order to retain a federal contract or to maintain a federal license. The bills also create a carve-out for employees “in a job, occupation or profession that is hazardous, dangerous or essential to public welfare and safety. If the employee's job, occupation or profession involves work that is hazardous, dangerous or essential to public welfare and safety then the employer may adopt and implement policies which prohibit the use or consumption of cannabis within the twenty-four (24) hour period prior to a scheduled work shift or assignment. For purposes of this section, hazardous, dangerous or essential to public welfare and safety shall include, but not be limited to: operation of an aircraft, watercraft, heavy equipment, heavy machinery, commercial vehicles, school buses or public transportation; use of explosives; public safety first responder jobs; and emergency and surgical medical personnel.” Finally, employers may refuse to hire, or can terminate, an employee for working while under the influence of cannabis. The compromise bill includes language to utilize testing as science progresses over time. Today a widely accepted test that measures the amount of TCH in a person’s body is not available. This makes driving under the influence more challenging to prove. However, the bills include a saliva test in the list of tests that can be given to a person suspected of driving under the influence. Municipalities that do not currently host compassion centers can choose to opt out of offering licenses for cannabis. To do so, the following question must be placed on the ballot this November: "Shall new cannabis related licenses for businesses involved in the cultivation, manufacture, laboratory testing and for the retail sale of adult recreational use cannabis be issued in the city (or town)?" Should the electors vote to ban licensing, they can choose at a future time to again place the question on the ballot and allow for licensing. Choosing to ban licenses in the municipality also means that the community forgoes the local tax on cannabis. The state tax is set at 10%, the local tax is 3%. The bills can be viewed in their entirety at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/HouseText22/H7593A.pdf http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2430A.pdf This Week at the State House Tuesday, May 24th Call to Action for Wage Payment and Misclassification - S.2775, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Payment of Wages is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Rise. At the time of the writing of this edition of Under the Dome, no amendment was posted for consideration. This bill was introduced at the request of the Attorney General, and it designates failure to pay wages on time, failure to pay wages at time of termination or misclassification of employees as independent contractors, as felonies subject to a prison sentence. NOTE: If this bill is important to your business, contact your Senator today! S.2775 will likely go to the Senate floor for a vote Thursday, May 26th or next week. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/SenateText22/S2775.pdf The House Labor Committee will vote Tuesday to require children who are 14 years of age and wish to work, to complete a three-hour training program with the Department of Labor and Training. The program, consisting of workplace health and safety content as well as workers’ compensation rights and workers’ rights, must be completed before a limited work permit can be issued to the child. The bill number is H.6652. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/HouseText22/H6652.pdf Thursday, May 26th The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on H.7895, An Act Relating to Courts and Civil Procedures – Rhode Island Commercial Receivership Act. This act would create a temporary non-liquidating receivership program for businesses that have had a substantial decline in revenue after an emergency declaration by the government or for businesses that have suspended or ceased a substantial part of their operations because of action by a governmental unit exercising its police or regulatory powers to address an emergency. The bill can be viewed at: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/HouseText22/H7895.pdf |
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