Politics & Government

This Week In The General Assembly

A weekly round-up of legislative action in the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly for the week ending Feb. 25, 2011. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/

Carnevale bill makes changes in medical marijuana law
Rep. John M. Carnevale (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston) has introduced legislation (2011-H 5401) that makes various changes to the “Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act.” Among other amendments to the law, the bill would require that, effective in 2013, the cultivation and dispensing of medical marijuana would only be authorized by compassion centers. Sen. Frank A. Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence) is the Senate sponsor of the legislation (2011-S 0204).

(Read our report on Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena's thoughts on compasion centers.)

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bates proposes elimination of “straight ticket voting”
Sen. David E. Bates (R-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol) has introduced legislation (2011-S 0238) to abolish “straight party voting.” The bill would require voting machines to be programmed to prevent voters from making a single mark that would cast a vote for all candidates of one particular party. Rep. Brian C. Newberry (R-Dist. 48, North Smithfield, Burrillville) has introduced identical legislation (2011-H 5454) in the House.

Walsh bill would create scratch ticket to fund Lyme disease prevention
Rep. Donna M. Walsh (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly) has submitted legislation (2011-H 5116) to authorize the state lottery division to create the instant-win ticket that would raise money for tick-bite and Lyme disease prevention programs at the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease. Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham) is sponsoring the bill (2011-S 0134) in the Senate.
Click here to see news release.

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ruggerio bill calls for battery recycling program
Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, Providence, North Providence) has introduced legislation to promote the proper recycling and disposal of used rechargeable dry cell batteries, such as those regularly found in cell phones, digital cameras and laptop computers. The bill (2011-S 0188) would require manufacturers of the batteries to implement a system of collection, recycling and disposal.
Click here to see news release.

Reports are provided to JohnstonPatch by the General Assembly Press Bureau.


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