Saturday, April 13, 2013
The bill heads to hearing this Wednesday.
A Portsmouth representative is working to protect circus animals from potential abuse. Rep. Raymond Gallison (D-Dist. 69, Portsmouth and Bristol) introduced a bill recently to make mistreatment of circus elephants a felony, reports The Associated Press. The bill would also prohibit animal handlers from using such training devices as bullhooks on the animals. The bill, H-5853, heads for a hearing this Wednesday. If passed, violations of the bill could result in fines of $5,000. To read the full bill, click here.
STATE HOUSE – 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/.
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Saturday, April 13
Nine-bill gun safety package unveiled House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and State Police Superintendent Col. Steven G. O’Donnell addressed a State House news conference to unveil a nine-bill package of gun safety legislation. The bills are intended to improve gun safety and strengthen existing laws dealing with firearms violations. Among other things, the bills call for a ban on the sale of assault weapons, require national criminal background checks and create a task force to review laws related to mental health and substance abuse issues as they pertain to firearms statutes. Click here to see news release. Senate bill calls for long-term …
Sunday, April 7, 2013
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/.
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Sunday, April 7
Bill clears way for gender-specific school events Schools would no longer need to be concerned that father-daughter or mother-son dances are contrary to the state’s gender discrimination laws as a result of legislation passed by the Senate. Sponsored by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), the bill (2013-S 0012Aaa) will amend state law to provide that activities for students of one sex are permissible if reasonably comparable activities are provided for students of the other sex. Click here to see news release. Legislation introduced to improve safety in R.I. schools Three bills addressing school safety issues have been introduced in both chambers. Developed by the legislature and the governor’s office, the bills …
Sunday, March 31, 2013
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/.
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Sunday, March 31
House approves bill to ban certain synthetic drugs The House of Representatives approved legislation (2012-H 5325A) to ban the use, manufacture and sale of synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones in Rhode Island. Sold under names such as “K2” and “Monkey Weed,” the synthetic substances have been linked to serious health complications in users. Sponsored by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston), the bill now goes to the Senate, where a companion bill (2013-S 0454) has been introduced by Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston). Click here to see news release. Senate passes stronger penalties for driving drunk with children in vehicle The Senate approved legislation (2013…
Saturday, March 23, 2013
STATE HOUSE – 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/.
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Saturday, March 23
Senate Judiciary Committee holds 12-hour hearing on same-sex marriage bills The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on two Senate bills related to same-sex marriage. The first bill (2013-S 0038), sponsored by Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence), removes gender-specific language from the section of the general laws that governs eligibility for marriage, and addresses state and federal law recognition, applicability in the state of Rhode Island, marriage licenses, protection of freedom of religion in marriages and the merger of civil unions into marriages. The second bill (2013-S 0708), sponsored by Sen. Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence), is a resolution calling for a ballot…
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The caucus made up of current or former public safety figures will focus on education and issues critical to first responders.
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Wednesday, March 20
STATE HOUSE – A new caucus has formed in the House of Representatives for members who are current or former police officers and firefighters. The Police and Firefighters Caucus includes eight members and will be led by co-chairmen Joseph S. Almeida and Scott J. Guthrie. The caucus, which has met once on Feb. 5, formed to concentrate on issues of safety, training and education for first responders, as well as any other issues that may arise that affect them. “Police and firefighters have a lot to offer the General Assembly, because we all have first-hand knowledge of the practical problems and challenges on the streets and in our cities and towns. We hope that this caucus will help put that know-how to good use, both to better serve the …
Sunday, March 17, 2013
If passed, the bill would allow for a faster solution to cutting back millions in waste in a stagnant economy.
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Sunday, March 17
STATE HOUSE – While the federal government has taken unprecedented steps toward health care reform in this country, Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry,Warwick) says Medicaid fraud is still a topic that should stay a part of the conversation this year. The bill (2013-H 5734) would allow the state to use technology to identify fraudulent activity in the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) before payment is made. Last year, the House of Representatives passed a resolution respectfully requesting Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee to implement programs and methodology to improve Medicaid integrity inRhode Island, building a foundation for the introduction of the current legislation. “If someone described this …
Saturday, March 16, 2013
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/.
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Saturday, March 16
Senate unveils 'Moving the Needle' legislative package President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence), Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and other senators unveiled a legislative package designed to improve Rhode Island’s business climate and its position on national business-friendliness surveys. The legislation was developed from the recommendations of a joint report by the Senate and the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council called “Moving the Needle.” Click here to see news release. Senate passes Raptakis murder/parole bill The Senate has approved …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Raptakis' bill requires 50% of a sentence to be served prior to parole eligibility.
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Wednesday, March 13
STATE HOUSE – The Rhode Island Senate approved on Tuesday, legislation that will require individuals convicted of first- or second-degree murder to serve as least 50 percent of a sentence prior to being eligible for parole. Sponsored by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), the legislation, 2013-S 0361, will apply the 50 percent sentence requirement to individuals convicted of first- or second-degree murder who have not been sentenced to life in prison. “Individuals who commit first- and second-degree murder should be expected to serve at least a majority of their sentences and really, I think, they should be serving their full sentences for such a heinous crime,” said Senator Raptakis. “At the…
Sunday, March 10, 2013
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/.
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Sunday, March 10
Legislation introduced to prohibit sale of ‘e-cigarettes’ to minors Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) has introduced legislation (2013-S 0622) to prohibit the sale of “e-cigarettes” to minors. Electronic cigarettes, which look like the real thing, are battery-powered nicotine delivery systems, heating a nicotine liquid and delivering it to a user in vapor form. The bill would expand the statutory definition of “tobacco products” to include “vapor products.” Click here to see news release. Serpa Medicaid fraud bill takes aim at waste, abuse of health care system Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) sponsored a bill (2013-H 5734) allowing the state to use …
Cj Ellie
6:32 am on Saturday, April 20, 2013
We live in a country governed by laws, so if there isn’t a law to protect captive wild animals you can bet there will be people who abuse animals. The circus industry is a prime example of a group who abuses their wild animals for entertainment and profit. YouTube is full of videos showing how the entire circus industry trains their elephants behind closed doors. It is sickening to realize that … more ›