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 March 18, 2011. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/

Safe Schools Act introduced in Senate, House of Representatives
Sen. Beatrice A. Lanzi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) and Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) have introduced bills in their respective chambers, directing the Department of Education to provide an age-appropriate model policy on bullying and cyberbullying prevention. The legislation, the Safe Schools Act (2011-H 5941), resulted from a year-long study of a special Senate commission chaired by Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Smithfield), of which Senator Lanzi and Representative Ruggiero are members.
Click here to see news release.

Bills allocate gaming revenues to education, bond debt
Legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate to commit a portion of the state’s gaming revenues to specific purposes. In the House, Rep. James N. McLaughlin (D-Dist. 57, Cumberland, Central Falls) has sponsored a bill (2011-H 5608) to commit 10 percent of gaming revenue to pay down the state’s bond debt. In the Senate, Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) has introduced a bill (2011-S 0493) to commit 100 percent of any revenue from new or expanded forms of gaming to elementary and secondary education.
Click here to see the McLaughlin release.
Click here to see the Metts release.

Reilly bill allows cities and towns to issue and renew drivers’ licenses

Rep. Daniel P. Reilly (R-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport) has introduced legislation (2011-H 5708) that would allow cities and towns to pass ordinances authorizing them to issue and renew drivers’ licenses.

Click here to see news release.

House Finance, Judiciary committees hear bills concerning marijuana
The House Finance Committee held hearings on a bill (2011-H 5591) sponsored by Rep. Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 3, Providence) to regulate the use, sale and taxation of marijuana and a bill (2011-H 5601) sponsored by Rep. Rene R. Menard (D-Dist. 45, Lincoln, Cumberland) to tax compassion centers revenue exceeding $500,000. The House Judiciary Committee held hearings on a bill (2011-H 5031) sponsored by Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth) to decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and impose a civil fine of $150 instead, and bills (2011-H 5032, 2011-H 5040, 2011-H 5290) sponsored by Rep. Roberto DaSilva (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket) concerning landlords’ rights concerning tenants who grow medical marijuana on their property.

Healthcare Oversight Committee schedules first meeting
The newly reorganized Joint Committee on Healthcare Oversight, led by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Rhoda E. Perry (D-Dist. 3, Providence) and House Corporations Committee Chairman Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly), held its first meeting. Originally created in 2000 and active through 2005, the joint committee monitors all areas of health care provision, insurance, liability, licensing, cost and delivery of services, and the adequacy, efficacy and efficiency of statutes, rules, regulations, guidelines, practices, and programs related to health care, long-term care or health insurance coverage.
Click here to see news release.