This Week In The General Assembly

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly for the week ending April 29, 2011. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/

Rep. Petrarca to introduce bill recognizing civil unions

Rep. Peter J. Petrarca (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Johnston, Smithfield) next week will introduce legislation to allow civil unions for same-sex couples in Rhode Island. The bill, which is modeled after laws recently approved in Delaware, Illinois and Hawaii, would grant same-sex couples equal rights to those afforded to married couples in Rhode Island.

House committee hears bill banning those under 21 from clubs serving alcohol

The House Committee on Judiciary heard legislation (2011-H 5254) sponsored by Rep. Joy Hearn (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) that would ban anyone under the age of 21 from nightclubs that serve alcohol.

 Click here to see news release.

Blazejewski bill would aid investment in social ventures
Legislation (2011-H 5279) sponsored by Rep. Christopher Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence, East Providence) would amend the state’s limited liability company statute to allow the creation of low-profit limited liability companies, which are corporations created to further charitable or education purposes. The special designation would enable private foundations to make program-related investments in the corporations and could help Rhode Island become a center for the emerging sector of social ventures. Sen. Paul V. Jabour (D-Dist. 5, Providence) is sponsoring the bill (2011-S 0353) in the Senate.

Click here to see news release.

Bill seeks to recoup revenue from firms getting tax credits that move out of RI
Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Smithfield) has introduced legislation that would protect the state and its taxpayers if a company receiving tax credits relocates out of the state during the terms of its contract. Under the bill (2011-S 0853), a company earning tax credits that relocates would be required to repay the entirety of the tax liability on the credit the company received during the respective tax year.

Click here to see news release.