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 May 6, 2011. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/

House Judiciary Committee hears Rep. Petrarca civil unions legislation

The House Committee on Judiciary heard testimony on legislation sponsored by Rep. Peter J. Petrarca (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Johnston, Smithfield) to allow civil unions for same-sex couples in Rhode Island. The bill (2011-H 6103), which is modeled after laws recently approved in Illinois, Delaware and Hawaii, would grant same-sex   couples all of the state rights afforded to married couples in Rhode Island.

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Senate approves O’Neill bill calling for pro-con arguments in voter handbook

The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Edward J. O’Neill (I-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, Pawtucket) aimed at helping Rhode Island voters to better understand ballot measures put before them. The bill (2011-S 0349A) would allow for the inclusion of brief written arguments for and against referenda measures to be printed in the voter information handbooks distributed to voters prior to general elections. Rep. Michael J. Marcello (D-Dist. 41, Scituate, Cranston) is the sponsor of the House version of the bill (2011-H 6084).

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Senate OKs bills setting stage for municipal sharing

The Senate approved bills to put a nonbinding question on the 2012 ballot asking voters their opinion of increased sharing of services among municipalities (2011-S 0075) and to create a permanent legislative commission to continually work on making sharing among municipalities possible (2011-S 0171). Both bills, which will now be forwarded to the House, are sponsored by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton) and recommended by a commission he led that studied the sharing of services among Rhode Island municipalities. Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) is sponsoring the legislation (2011-H 5228, 2011-H 5715) in the House.

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House OKs bill to clear name of John Gordon

The House of Representatives approved legislation (2011-H 5068) calling on the governor to pardon John Gordon, an Irish immigrant believed to have been wrongly accused and convicted of the murder of a wealthy mill owner and subsequently executed for the crime in 1845. He was the last person to be executed by the state. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Peter Martin (D-Dist. 75, Newport). Identical legislation (2011-S 0371) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick).

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Senate passes bill to require proof of ID at polling places

The Senate approved legislation requiring proof of identification for individuals voting in any primary, general or special election in the state. The bill (2011-S 0400A) was sponsored by Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) in cooperation with the Secretary of State. Identical legislation (2011-H 5680) has been introduced in the House by Rep. Jon D. Brien (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket).

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Bill to close RI polls earlier passes Senate

The Senate approved legislation (2011-S 0341A), sponsored by Sen. David E. Bates (R-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol), that will close polling places in Rhode Island at 8 p.m., an hour earlier than the current closing time of 9 p.m., which is an hour or more later than all other New England states. The identical House bill (2011-H 5088) was introduced by Rep. Mary Duffy Messier (D-Dist. 62, Pawtucket, East Providence).

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