This Week at the General Assembly

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/

Out-of-state recycling bill clears Assembly

The General Assembly has approved legislation allowing the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation to accept recyclable materials from out-of-state at the recycling facility in Johnston.

Sponsored by Sen. Frank Lombardo III and Rep. Stephen R. Ucci, the bill (2011-S 0454A, 2011-H 6204) provides for the corporation, the Town of Johnston and the state’s remaining 38 municipalities to share in any profits from the sale of the reclaimed, recycled materials.

Out-of-state trash is not accepted at the Central Landfill in Johnston and violations are a fineable offense under state law.

Click here to see the news release.

Assembly passes bill requiring voter identification

The General Assembly today voted to approve legislation sponsored by Rep. Jon D. Brien and Sen. Harold M. Metts and backed by Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis to require voters to present identification in order to vote in elections.

The legislation (2011-H 5680 A, 2011-S 0400 Aaa) would require that anyone wishing to vote in a general, primary or special election present a valid identification. For the first two years of the law, from 2012 to 2014, that identification could be a driver’s license, a passport, a school or military ID, a birth certificate, a government-issued medical ID card or Social Security card. It could also be a free voter identification card that would be created under the legislation for those without another permissible form of identification. After Jan. 1, 2014, the identification card would have to include a photo.

If a voter is unable to produce identification, he or she would be allowed to cast a provisional ballot. That ballot would be placed in a sealed envelope, along with a signed affirmation. The local board of canvassers would be responsible for determining whether the signature on the affirmation matches the one on the voter’s voter registration. If it does, the ballot would be counted.

Click here to see the news release.

Assembly approves 'Safe Schools Act;' RIDE directed to develop model policy on cyberbullying prevention

The General Assembly has approved legislation – The Safe Schools Act – directing the Rhode Island Department of Education to establish a model policy on cyberbullying prevention.

The legislation, which will now be transmitted to the governor, will direct the Department of Education to provide an age-appropriate model policy on bullying prevention to ensure a unified, statewide policy that follows Rhode Island General laws.

That policy, under the legislation, will include prohibitions against bullying, cyberbullying and retaliation; clear procedures for students, staff, parents, guardians and others to report bullying; procedures for responding to and investigating reports of bullying, and a range of disciplinary actions that may be taken against a perpetrator for bullying.

Click here to see the news release.

Governor signs Diaz, Metts bill banning sale of rolling papers to minors

Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence) and Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) joined Gov. Lincoln Chafee today at a signing ceremony for their legislation banning the sale of rolling papers and several forms of cigars to minors.

The bill (2011-H5212), (2011-S0666) adds little cigars, flavored and unflavored cigars known as “blunts,” flavored and unflavored blunt wraps, cigarette rolling papers of any size, cigarillos and tiparillos to the section of law that currently prohibits those under 18 from purchasing cigarettes.

Because the language in the existing law does not include blunts or rolling papers, a store owner cannot refuse to sell these products to minors, even though it is well known that these items are used for drug-related purposes, said the bill’s sponsors.

Click here to see the news release.

Governor Chafee pardons John Gordon

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today pardoned John Gordon, an Irish immigrant who was hanged in 1845 for the murder of Amasa Sprague. Gordon’s infamous trial and subsequent execution have become part of Rhode Island lore, with many believing he was wrongfully convicted.

In a ceremony at the Old State House in Providence, where Gordon’s 1844 trial took place, the Governor signed a gubernatorial proclamation granting Gordon a full and complete pardon. Governor Chafee was joined by Rep. Peter F. Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport), who sponsored the House resolution recommending that the Governor grant a pardon, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), who sponsored the Senate version.

Click here to see the news release.

FY 2012 budget bill clears Assembly, signed by governor

With Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee's signature today, the Fiscal Year 2012 budget approved by the General Assembly is now law. The plan is designed to address the state’s structural deficit and fully fund its new education spending formula without widespread expansion of taxes.

The $7.7 billion plan closes the state’s initial deficit of approximately $300 million through cuts to some programs previously paid for with federal stimulus funds and state department consolidations, as well as a small surplus and higher-than-expected revenues from the previous year.

The bill (2011-H 5894Aaa) does not enact Governor Chafee’s proposed $165 million sales tax expansion.

Click here to see the news release.