[0:21] If the clerk would please unlock the machine for the unlock the machine for the purposes of recording. purposes of recording. Attendance for today's session. Attendance for today's session. Fallen members have cast their Fallen members have cast their votes. Will the clerk lock the votes.

[0:46] Will the clerk lock the machine, please? There are 30 machine, please? There are 30 members in attendance. There is members in attendance. There is a quorum. I would ask for all a quorum. I would ask for all members in the guest to please members in the guest to please rise for the invocation and rise for the invocation and pledge allegiance.

[0:54] To be led pledge allegiance. To be led today by Chairman Matthew L today by Chairman Matthew L Martin, representing the cities Martin, representing the cities of Warwick and Cranston. of Warwick and Cranston. Substitute. Please proceed. Substitute. Please proceed. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman. Thank you. I'm always good to be a sub.

[1:18] I'm always good to be a sub. Dear God, please bless us Dear God, please bless us during our final days of during our final days of adjournment. May we all enjoy adjournment.

[1:27] May we all enjoy the summer months ahead until the summer months ahead until we all meet again in this we all meet again in this chamber, hopefully through chamber, hopefully through positive elections to assist positive elections to assist our fellow Rhode Islanders. our fellow Rhode Islanders. Amen. I pledge allegiance of Amen.

[1:41] I pledge allegiance of the United States of America the United States of America and to the Republic for which and to the Republic for which it stands. it stands. Nation of God, indivisible, Nation of God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for with liberty and justice for all. all. The first order of business is The first order of business is the reading of the previous the reading of the previous day's journal.

[1:55] Will the clerk day's journal. Will the clerk please read. please read. The State of Rhode Island The State of Rhode Island Journal of the Senate, January Journal of the Senate, January session of the General. session of the General. Chairman, flag. Chairman, flag. I move that to adjourn. Further I move that to adjourn.

[2:03] Further reading of the journal will be reading of the journal will be dispensed with, and the journal dispensed with, and the journal will be accepted as printed. will be accepted as printed. Hearing no objection so ordered. Hearing no objection so ordered. Next order of business is the Next order of business is the introduction of guests.

[2:12] Are introduction of guests. Are there any guests in the there any guests in the chamber? We have two. Cohen. chamber? We have two. Cohen. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Introduction. Please. Introduction. Please. Please proceed. Please proceed. Madam president, to you. And Madam president, to you.

[2:25] And through you, I'd like to through you, I'd like to introduce to you Smithfield introduce to you Smithfield High School senior and my High School senior and my constituent, Reece Rossi. Reece constituent, Reece Rossi.

[2:35] Reece is the daughter of Randy Rossi, is the daughter of Randy Rossi, who many of you know is the who many of you know is the executive director of the executive director of the league. In cities and towns. league. In cities and towns.

[2:43] Reece is not only a high Reece is not only a high achieving student at Smithfield achieving student at Smithfield High School, but she's also the High School, but she's also the student council student body student council student body vice president, a member of the vice president, a member of the National Honor Society, vice National Honor Society, vice president of the Youth Council, president of the Youth Council, captain of the soccer girls captain of the soccer girls soccer team, a youth ambassador

[2:54] soccer team, a youth ambassador for Tobacco Island, and in her for Tobacco Island, and in her spare time she toured his spare time she toured his Freshman Algebra. Her academic Freshman Algebra. Her academic coursework includes numerous coursework includes numerous honors and Advanced Placement honors and Advanced Placement classes in biology, calculus, classes in biology, calculus, physics, statistics, government,

[3:09] physics, statistics, government, and history. Reece is and history. Reece is graduating from Smithfield High graduating from Smithfield High School this Saturday and will School this Saturday and will be participating in the state's be participating in the state's fellowship program over the fellowship program over the summer.

[3:19] Then she will be on to summer. Then she will be on to Sacred Heart University in the Sacred Heart University in the fall, majoring in biochemistry fall, majoring in biochemistry and a pre-med track. Reece, and a pre-med track. Reece, welcome to the Senate. welcome to the Senate.

[3:37] Next order of business is Next order of business is committee reports and committee reports and communications. There are no communications. There are no committee reports or committee reports or communications. Next order of communications. Next order of business is new business. business is new business.

[3:49] Senate resolution honoring Senate resolution honoring thrive Behavioral Health on the thrive Behavioral Health on the occasion of its 50th occasion of its 50th anniversary and recognizing its anniversary and recognizing its enduring impact on the health enduring impact on the health and well-being of Rhode and well-being of Rhode Islanders. Chairman LaMontagne. Islanders. Chairman LaMontagne. May that be read, please, madam. May that be read, please, madam. Chairman Mountain, request the resolution be read.

[4:02] If the resolution be read. If the clerk would please do so. clerk would please do so. Senate resolution honoring Senate resolution honoring Thrive Behavioral Health Thrive Behavioral Health Incorporated on the occasion of Incorporated on the occasion of its 50th anniversary and its 50th anniversary and recognizing its enduring impact recognizing its enduring impact on the health and well-being of

[4:13] on the health and well-being of Rhode Islanders. Whereas for 50 Rhode Islanders. Whereas for 50 years Thrive, Behavioral Health years Thrive, Behavioral Health Incorporated has played a vital Incorporated has played a vital role in strengthening the role in strengthening the health and well-being of health and well-being of individuals and families across

[4:22] individuals and families across the state of Rhode Island by the state of Rhode Island by expanding access to high expanding access to high quality, affordable behavioral quality, affordable behavioral health care. And Whereas, health care.

[4:33] And Whereas, founded as Kent County Mental founded as Kent County Mental Health Center, Thrive Health Center, Thrive Behavioral Health Incorporated Behavioral Health Incorporated has evolved over five decades has evolved over five decades to meet the the changing and to meet the the changing and increasingly complex needs of increasingly complex needs of the community, demonstrating a the community, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to steadfast commitment to innovation, compassion and innovation, compassion and service.

[4:44] And Whereas a defining service. And Whereas a defining milestone in history occurred milestone in history occurred in 2018, when the Kent Center in 2018, when the Kent Center merged with Riverwood Mental merged with Riverwood Mental Health Services, significantly Health Services, significantly enhancing its capacity to enhancing its capacity to provide integrated, provide integrated, comprehensive behavioral health

[4:56] comprehensive behavioral health services and expanding its services and expanding its reach throughout the region. reach throughout the region. And Whereas, Thrive Behavioral And Whereas, Thrive Behavioral Health Incorporated is Health Incorporated is distinguished by its holistic, distinguished by its holistic, recovery oriented approach, recovery oriented approach, providing not only clinical providing not only clinical treatment but also critical

[5:09] treatment but also critical wraparound services that wraparound services that address housing, unemployment, address housing, unemployment, and other social determinants and other social determinants of health, thereby removing of health, thereby removing barriers to long term stability barriers to long term stability and success. And whereas in and success.

[5:23] And whereas in 2024, thrive was designated as 2024, thrive was designated as a certified Community a certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic for Behavioral Health Clinic for Kent County, a recognition that Kent County, a recognition that has enabled the organization to has enabled the organization to deliver enhanced care deliver enhanced care coordination, expand access to coordination, expand access to services, and improve outcomes

[5:33] services, and improve outcomes for individuals with complex for individuals with complex behavioral health needs. And behavioral health needs. And Whereas, through the dedication Whereas, through the dedication of its highly trained and of its highly trained and compassionate staff, Thrive compassionate staff, Thrive utilizes evidence based utilizes evidence based practices to support practices to support individuals in managing mental

[5:45] individuals in managing mental health and substance use health and substance use challenges, reducing challenges, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations, unnecessary hospitalizations, and empowering clients to live and empowering clients to live successfully within their successfully within their communities. And Whereas, communities.

[5:56] And Whereas, Thrive Behavioral Health Thrive Behavioral Health Incorporated is a founding Incorporated is a founding member of Horizon Health Care member of Horizon Health Care Partners and has earned Partners and has earned national recognition as a national recognition as a leader in the delivery of leader in the delivery of community based behavioral community based behavioral health services, setting a health services, setting a standard of excellence for

[6:06] standard of excellence for others to follow up. And others to follow up. And whereas thrive is positively whereas thrive is positively impacted, thousands of lives, impacted, thousands of lives, fostering resilience and fostering resilience and equipping individuals with the equipping individuals with the tools, skills and support tools, skills and support necessary to lead healthy,

[6:17] necessary to lead healthy, productive and fulfilling productive and fulfilling lives. Now, therefore, be it lives. Now, therefore, be it resolved that this Senate of resolved that this Senate of the State of Rhode Island the State of Rhode Island hereby congratulates and honors hereby congratulates and honors Thrive Behavioral Health on the

[6:26] Thrive Behavioral Health on the occasion of its 50th occasion of its 50th anniversary and expresses its anniversary and expresses its deepest gratitude for the deepest gratitude for the organization's enduring organization's enduring commitment to improving the commitment to improving the lives of Rhode Islanders. And lives of Rhode Islanders.

[6:35] And be it further resolved, that be it further resolved, that the Secretary of State be, and the Secretary of State be, and he's hereby authorized and he's hereby authorized and directed to transmit the duly directed to transmit the duly certified copy of this certified copy of this resolution to Duane Allen, resolution to Duane Allen, president and CEO of Thrive

[6:44] president and CEO of Thrive Behavioral Health, Incorporated. Behavioral Health, Incorporated. Chairman Lamont. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President. I rise to congratulate Thrive rise to congratulate Thrive Behavioral Health in five Behavioral Health in five decades. Um, it's an impressive decades.

[7:01] Um, it's an impressive feat for any organization, feat for any organization, especially one that focuses on especially one that focuses on mental health, substance abuse, mental health, substance abuse, crisis intervention, housing crisis intervention, housing and recovery services, as well and recovery services, as well as numerous wraparound services as numerous wraparound services as well for them to keep on

[7:11] as well for them to keep on going and all the lives and going and all the lives and positive impacts they've had positive impacts they've had for individuals over the past for individuals over the past five decades. I rise in support five decades.

[7:18] I rise in support and tell them, thank you very and tell them, thank you very much for all their help. Some much for all their help. Some are over here. Yeah. Thank you. are over here. Yeah. Thank you. And I move passage out of the And I move passage out of the appropriate time. I'd like to appropriate time. I'd like to revert back to introductions.

[7:28] revert back to introductions. Chairman Lamont, was passage of Chairman Lamont, was passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act? Hearing none.

[7:46] The the act? Hearing none. The resolution has been moved and resolution has been moved and seconded. All those in favor, seconded. All those in favor, please indicate by saying aye. please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? Nay. The Aye. Those opposed? Nay. The ayes have it. The resolution is ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chairman LaMontagne.

[7:59] adopted. Chairman LaMontagne. Introduction. Please, Madam Introduction. Please, Madam President. President. Please proceed. Please proceed. It's my honor to introduce John It's my honor to introduce John Allen, the president and CEO. Allen, the president and CEO. Mark Merritt. Gano, I apologize Mark Merritt.

[8:12] Gano, I apologize if I mispronounced that Josh if I mispronounced that Josh Moore from the Hills Grove Moore from the Hills Grove clubhouse. Uh, Michael Roy, the clubhouse. Uh, Michael Roy, the residential team leader. Jamie residential team leader. Jamie Gutierrez, the Act team leader, Gutierrez, the Act team leader, and Brooke Myers, the nurse and Brooke Myers, the nurse supervisor.

[8:23] Welcome to the supervisor. Welcome to the Senate. Congratulations. Senate. Congratulations. Next is the Senate resolution Next is the Senate resolution congratulating and recognizing congratulating and recognizing the students and faculty of the students and faculty of Thompson Middle School for Thompson Middle School for their participation in the their participation in the annual Rhode Island Civics Day

[8:41] annual Rhode Island Civics Day and celebrating the award and celebrating the award winning achievement. Senator winning achievement. Senator Hoyer. Hoyer. Thank you, Madam President. Um, Thank you, Madam President.

[8:52] Um, I wanted to bring this I wanted to bring this resolution forward today just resolution forward today just to congratulate the Thompson to congratulate the Thompson Middle School students who Middle School students who participated in Generation participated in Generation Citizens Civics Day, Citizens Civics Day, appreciated the ability to be appreciated the ability to be on the panel with you. Madam on the panel with you.

[9:01] Madam President, to to speak with the President, to to speak with the students at the start of their students at the start of their day. It was a really special day.

[9:08] It was a really special occasion because Newport occasion because Newport students don't often have the students don't often have the opportunity to come up and opportunity to come up and participate in programs here up participate in programs here up at the state House. And so not at the state House.

[9:16] And so not only was it noteworthy of being only was it noteworthy of being Thompson's first time Thompson's first time participating, but they also participating, but they also managed to win an award in one managed to win an award in one of the presentations that they of the presentations that they gave. So I really wanted to gave. So I really wanted to congratulate those award congratulate those award winners. But all of the winners.

[9:25] But all of the students, participants, I think students, participants, I think it's really critically it's really critically important, and I know this important, and I know this chamber has done a lot around chamber has done a lot around civics education. The other civics education.

[9:35] The other piece that was really piece that was really interesting about that civics interesting about that civics Education day in Thompson's Education day in Thompson's participation was that while participation was that while the students were participating the students were participating in the Generation Citizen in the Generation Citizen event, they found out, actually, event, they found out, actually, that members of the Newport that members of the Newport School Committee had done a AI

[9:47] School Committee had done a AI assessment of the of plan for assessment of the of plan for the Future of Newport Schools. the Future of Newport Schools. And guess what? AI said that And guess what? AI said that they should close the Newport they should close the Newport schools to save money.

[9:57] So the schools to save money. So the students were rightfully students were rightfully distressed about this. But distressed about this. But instead of, you know, wallowing instead of, you know, wallowing in sorrow at that outcome, they in sorrow at that outcome, they approached their teacher and approached their teacher and they said, what can we do? And

[10:09] they said, what can we do? And I think that that really I think that that really highlighted for me the highlighted for me the importance of civics education, importance of civics education, how those students really how those students really learned a lot, and to learn learned a lot, and to learn that at middle school, to say

[10:17] that at middle school, to say we don't have to just stand we don't have to just stand idly by, we don't want our idly by, we don't want our school to be closed, and we're school to be closed, and we're going to we're going to figure

[10:22] going to we're going to figure out what we can do about this out what we can do about this and stand up. So I applaud all and stand up. So I applaud all of those student participants. of those student participants. Um, and I move passage of the Um, and I move passage of the resolution.

[10:30] resolution. Senator William Wu's passage of Senator William Wu's passage of the resolution, all wanting to the resolution, all wanting to second, please press your green second, please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the resolution discussion on the resolution before you? Hearing? None.

[10:45] The before you? Hearing? None. The resolution has been moved and resolution has been moved and seconded. All those in favor, seconded. All those in favor, please indicate by saying I all please indicate by saying I all those opposed, nay, the those opposed, nay, the resolution is adopted. Next resolution is adopted.

[10:57] Next order of business is the order of business is the approval of today's consent approval of today's consent calendar. Number one. Leda calendar. Number one. Leda Chacon moves consent calendar Chacon moves consent calendar number one, seconded by Lita number one, seconded by Lita dela Cruz. Will the clerk dela Cruz.

[11:12] Will the clerk please unlock the machine? You please unlock the machine? You need to recuse Senator Urso. need to recuse Senator Urso. Oh, okay. Will all members cast Oh, okay.

[11:39] Will all members cast their vote on the consent their vote on the consent calendar? Will the clerk lock calendar? Will the clerk lock the machine, please? There are the machine, please? There are 34 votes in the affirmative, 34 votes in the affirmative, zero in the negative consent zero in the negative consent calendar. Number one is calendar. Number one is adopted. Senator Urso. adopted. Senator Urso. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President.

[11:50] I just wanted to make a remark on just wanted to make a remark on item number eight on the item number eight on the consent calendar. When we were consent calendar.

[12:00] When we were passing the 988 bill, Senator passing the 988 bill, Senator Morgan had asked a question Morgan had asked a question about preventing AI from being about preventing AI from being involved in 988 calls and item involved in 988 calls and item eight on the consent calendar eight on the consent calendar is a companion bill to Senate is a companion bill to Senate 2197, and that bill will 2197, and that bill will prevent that because a it

[12:12] prevent that because a it requires informed consent for requires informed consent for the use of AI, and b it does the use of AI, and b it does not allow direct interaction not allow direct interaction between patients and chat bots between patients and chat bots without immediate supervision without immediate supervision of a therapist.

[12:25] So I just of a therapist. So I just wanted to point that out to wanted to point that out to answer that question that that answer that question that that bill will prevent AI bill will prevent AI involvement in the 988 line. involvement in the 988 line. Thank you. Thank you.

[12:37] The next order of business is The next order of business is is the approval of today's is the approval of today's consent calendar. Number two consent calendar. Number two moves consent calendar number moves consent calendar number two, seconded by Leda dela two, seconded by Leda dela Cruz. Will the clerk please Cruz.

[12:54] Will the clerk please unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Could all members please cast Could all members please cast their vote? Please? Will the their vote? Please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There clerk lock the machine? There are 35 votes in the are 35 votes in the affirmative. Is there in the affirmative.

[13:05] Is there in the negative consent calendar? negative consent calendar? Number two is adopted. That Number two is adopted. That brings us to today's regular brings us to today's regular calendar. We hope to coin. calendar. We hope to coin. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Madam president, without Madam president, without objection.

[13:18] And in order to get objection. And in order to get bills over to the House, we bills over to the House, we would like to move items eight would like to move items eight through 40 on tomorrow's through 40 on tomorrow's calendar to a second calendar calendar to a second calendar today, to be taken up after

[13:28] today, to be taken up after dinner. This will allow time to dinner. This will allow time to get to the house and have them get to the house and have them start the process. start the process.

[13:38] We have to request to move We have to request to move eight through 40 to an eight through 40 to an additional calendar after the additional calendar after the recess hearing. No objection. recess hearing. No objection. So ordered. Item number one on So ordered.

[13:52] Item number one on today's calendar nomination of today's calendar nomination of Bob Cormier for the position of Bob Cormier for the position of the president and CEO of the the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub. Rhode Island Life Science Hub. Senator DePalma. Senator DePalma. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Madam president. Madam president. Excuse me. Excuse me. I rise. I rise. In support. In support. Of. Bob Cormier. Of. Bob Cormier.

[14:03] His appointment as president His appointment as president and CEO of the Rhode Island and CEO of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub. Mr. Cormier Life Science Hub. Mr. Cormier brings extensive experience as brings extensive experience as health care and medical health care and medical technology executive. He most technology executive.

[14:15] He most recently served as a CEO of recently served as a CEO of Centex, where he oversaw Centex, where he oversaw significant growth in several significant growth in several major initiatives, including major initiatives, including the establishment of the the establishment of the company's US headquarters in company's US headquarters in Lincoln, Rhode Island. In Lincoln, Rhode Island.

[14:27] In addition to his record of addition to his record of business leadership, he brings business leadership, he brings a strong commitment to Rhode a strong commitment to Rhode Island's future. He believes Island's future.

[14:39] He believes deeply in the potential for the deeply in the potential for the life sciences to revolutionize life sciences to revolutionize care and improve people's care and improve people's lives. He also has a clear lives. He also has a clear vision of our state's potential vision of our state's potential to be a thriving hub for the to be a thriving hub for the industry. As Mr. Cormier noted industry. As Mr.

[14:51] Cormier noted before the Senate Finance before the Senate Finance Committee, the Life Science hub Committee, the Life Science hub is at an inflection point, and is at an inflection point, and it categorically is. I believe it categorically is.

[15:01] I believe he possesses the vision and he possesses the vision and skill set needed to guide this skill set needed to guide this critical agency forward. I am critical agency forward. I am grateful to the High Science grateful to the High Science Hub's board for their Hub's board for their dedication and diligence dedication and diligence throughout the process. That throughout the process. That led to Mr.

[15:12] Cormier selection to led to Mr. Cormier selection to this critical point, and I also this critical point, and I also want to thank Lilia Holt for want to thank Lilia Holt for stepping up and filling this stepping up and filling this role over the last few months. role over the last few months. Madam president, I move Mr.

[15:24] Madam president, I move Mr. Cormier appointment and I ask Cormier appointment and I ask the Senate to grant its advice the Senate to grant its advice and consent. and consent.

[15:36] Chairman DePalma moves the Chairman DePalma moves the advice and consent of Bob advice and consent of Bob Cormier for the position of the Cormier for the position of the president and CEO of the Rhode president and CEO of the Rhode Island Life Science Hub, all Island Life Science Hub, all wishing to. Second, please wishing to. Second, please press your green button. Is press your green button.

[15:57] Is there further discussion on the there further discussion on the appointment before you seeing appointment before you seeing none? Will the clerk unlock the none? Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All those who machine, please? All those who wish to vote in the wish to vote in the affirmative, please press the affirmative, please press the green button.

[16:03] All those opposed green button. All those opposed the red. If the clerk will lock the red. If the clerk will lock the machine, there are 34 votes the machine, there are 34 votes in the affirmative, zero in the affirmative, zero against the act passes. against the act passes. Chairman DePalma. Chairman DePalma. Thank you, Madam President.

[16:21] I Thank you, Madam President. I believe, uh, introduction. In believe, uh, introduction. In order, if I may. order, if I may. Please proceed. Please proceed. To you. And through you, Madam To you.

[16:32] And through you, Madam President, I'll me first President, I'll me first introduce and welcome to the introduce and welcome to the chamber Bob Cormier, the new chamber Bob Cormier, the new CEO and president of the Life CEO and president of the Life Science Hub. Welcome to the Science Hub. Welcome to the chamber, Rob. Also with Bob is chamber, Rob. Also with Bob is his wife, Jill. If you can hold his wife, Jill.

[16:44] If you can hold your applause, we're going to your applause, we're going to introduce four other people, introduce four other people, and we're going to have a and we're going to have a pattern here. Three daughters, pattern here. Three daughters, all beginning with the letter all beginning with the letter H. Hannah Hunter and Hattie, H.

[16:55] Hannah Hunter and Hattie, Hanna, Hunter and Hattie, Hanna, Hunter and Hattie, welcome to me. I apologize, I'm welcome to me. I apologize, I'm I'm thinking Hunter was a I'm thinking Hunter was a female. Sorry. I apologize. female. Sorry. I apologize. Welcome to the Senate. Welcome to the Senate. Next is item number two.

[17:13] S 3288 Next is item number two. S 3288 by Senator Vargas. An act by Senator Vargas. An act relate to alcoholic beverages, relate to alcoholic beverages, retail licenses. Senator retail licenses. Senator Vargas. Vargas. Thank you, Madam President. The Thank you, Madam President. The bill before us is a municipal bill before us is a municipal bill requesting a CV license.

[17:27] bill requesting a CV license. It has a resolution was voted It has a resolution was voted out last night from the out last night from the Cranston City Council. And I Cranston City Council. And I move passage. move passage. Senator. Senator Vargas moves. Senator. Senator Vargas moves.

[17:39] Passage of the motion all Passage of the motion all wanting to. Second, please wanting to. Second, please press your green button. Is press your green button. Is there further discussion on the there further discussion on the act before you seeing none. act before you seeing none.

[18:03] Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 35 lock the machine? There are 35 votes in the affirmative, zero votes in the affirmative, zero against the act passes. against the act passes. Chairman DePalma. Chairman DePalma.

[18:12] Madam president, if I may, just Madam president, if I may, just reverting back to the previous reverting back to the previous item for just 1.1 minute, I item for just 1.1 minute, I want to thank, uh, Craig Dwyer want to thank, uh, Craig Dwyer behind us. Many of us deal with behind us. Many of us deal with Craig in committee. Many have Craig in committee.

[18:21] Many have seen Craig here for all the seen Craig here for all the work that he's done on work that he's done on governor's behalf, for bringing governor's behalf, for bringing all the exemplary candidates all the exemplary candidates before us. Craig, thank you, before us. Craig, thank you, sir. sir. Next is item number three. S Next is item number three. S 2798.

[18:38] Senator family and 2798. Senator family and related to property Rhode related to property Rhode Island coordinate system. Island coordinate system. Senator family. Senator family. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This bill comes from the DBR. This bill comes from the DBR.

[18:50] Uh, it updates Rhode Island Uh, it updates Rhode Island state plan coordinate system to state plan coordinate system to align with the most recent align with the most recent standards established by the standards established by the National Geodetic Survey, with National Geodetic Survey, with federal agency responsible for federal agency responsible for the nation's geographic the nation's geographic reference framework. I move reference framework.

[19:03] I move passage, and I believe there is passage, and I believe there is a floor amendment from Senator a floor amendment from Senator Bell. Bell. Senator Yeti moves passage of Senator Yeti moves passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Senator Bell. Senator Bell. Thank you, Madam President.

[19:26] Um, Thank you, Madam President. Um, the earth is round, but I know the earth is round, but I know there's some skepticism. I there's some skepticism.

[19:41] I personally believe this, but personally believe this, but some computer programs and old some computer programs and old paper and pencil methods don't paper and pencil methods don't assume the Earth is round. So assume the Earth is round. So we have a standardized system we have a standardized system for dealing with putting lot for dealing with putting lot lines and things on maps. That lines and things on maps.

[19:51] That assumes the Earth is flat, assumes the Earth is flat, approximated it as flat. But we approximated it as flat. But we also have modern methods to also have modern methods to treat the Earth as round. This treat the Earth as round.

[20:04] This bill creates a standard for the bill creates a standard for the flat earth methods, and I want flat earth methods, and I want to thank the sponsor and DBR to thank the sponsor and DBR for working with me on this for working with me on this compromise, which removes the compromise, which removes the language that mandates the use language that mandates the use of flat earth methods, allowing

[20:14] of flat earth methods, allowing the use of methods that treat the use of methods that treat the Earth as round. It also the Earth as round. It also removes the language that had removes the language that had changed the length of the foot, changed the length of the foot, uh, in Rhode Island, from

[20:26] uh, in Rhode Island, from propagating throughout all of propagating throughout all of our laws, uh, creating a bunch our laws, uh, creating a bunch of changes wherever the term of changes wherever the term foot is used to measure foot is used to measure distance.

[20:37] So with that, um, I distance. So with that, um, I would like to move LC 0054433. would like to move LC 0054433. Senator Bell moves amendment LC Senator Bell moves amendment LC 0054433 and moves passage. All 0054433 and moves passage. All those wanting to. Second, those wanting to. Second, please press your green button.

[21:06] please press your green button. Any further discussion on the Any further discussion on the amendment before you? Hearing amendment before you? Hearing none. Will the clerk unlock the none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Please cast machine, please? Please cast your vote on the amendment. If your vote on the amendment.

[21:32] If the clerk will lock the the clerk will lock the machine. There are 37 votes in machine. There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the amendment passes. Senator. the amendment passes. Senator. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. I'll move passage as amended. I'll move passage as amended. Senator.

[21:46] Uh, moves passage of Senator. Uh, moves passage of the act, as amended. All those the act, as amended. All those who wish to second, please who wish to second, please press the green button. Is press the green button.

[22:02] Is there further discussion on the there further discussion on the act before you, as amended? act before you, as amended? Seeing none, will the clerk Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Oh, unlock the machine, please? Oh, those who wish to vote in the those who wish to vote in the affirmative, press the green affirmative, press the green button.

[22:09] All those oppose the button. All those oppose the read. If all members would cast read. If all members would cast their vote, please. Senator their vote, please. Senator Burke, if the clerk would lock Burke, if the clerk would lock the machine. There are 37 votes the machine.

[22:20] There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero in the affirmative, zero against the act as amended. against the act as amended. Passes. Item number four S 2799 Passes. Item number four S 2799 by Chairman, flag and related by Chairman, flag and related to safety, health and safety. to safety, health and safety. Consumer PFAS ban of act of Consumer PFAS ban of act of 2024. Chairman.

[22:39] 2024. Chairman. Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. Uh, as you know, President. Uh, as you know, after, uh, after the last five after, uh, after the last five years, uh, this chamber has years, uh, this chamber has taken a very active role in

[22:49] taken a very active role in setting standards for PFAS or setting standards for PFAS or actually eliminating it from actually eliminating it from some of the products. Uh, in some of the products.

[23:01] Uh, in 2022 and 23, uh, we sponsored 2022 and 23, uh, we sponsored legislation that looked at the legislation that looked at the drinking water, the groundwater drinking water, the groundwater and the surface water and set and the surface water and set standards for those particular, standards for those particular, uh, utility. Next, in 2024, uh, utility.

[23:15] Next, in 2024, Senator Coleman led to spur on Senator Coleman led to spur on terms of products, uh, that we terms of products, uh, that we see here today. And then in see here today. And then in 2025 last year, uh, we 2025 last year, uh, we eliminated the firefighters eliminated the firefighters foam.

[23:28] So this year it was foam. So this year it was requested by DCM, uh, to requested by DCM, uh, to provide some modifications to provide some modifications to the, uh, fat act of 2024. And the, uh, fat act of 2024.

[23:42] And basically what it does is it basically what it does is it clarifies, right M as being the clarifies, right M as being the enforcement agent and provides enforcement agent and provides them with the authority to them with the authority to carry out the requirements and carry out the requirements and the ability to exempt the the ability to exempt the product. And with that, I move product. And with that, I move passes. Madam president.

[23:54] passes. Madam president. Chairman, if you like, moves Chairman, if you like, moves passage of the act all wanting passage of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your to. Second, please press your green button. Is there further green button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing and hearing? None.

[24:07] you seeing and hearing? None. Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Lida Delacruz, machine, please? Lida Delacruz, if the clerk would lock the if the clerk would lock the machine. There were 37 votes in machine.

[24:23] There were 37 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the act. Passes. Next on the the act. Passes. Next on the calendar is item number five. S calendar is item number five. S 2198. Sub A by Chairman 2198. Sub A by Chairman DePalma. Senate resolution DePalma.

[24:37] Senate resolution creating a special legislative creating a special legislative commission to study blockchain commission to study blockchain and cryptocurrency. Chairman and cryptocurrency. Chairman DePalma. DePalma. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Members of the Senate, I am Members of the Senate, I am extremely excited about this extremely excited about this measure. We're about to take a measure.

[24:48] We're about to take a look at both the benefits and look at both the benefits and pitfalls of cryptocurrency, pitfalls of cryptocurrency, blockchain, etc. I think this blockchain, etc. I think this will put Rhode Island on the will put Rhode Island on the map once we see what comes from map once we see what comes from this.

[24:56] And with that, I move this. And with that, I move passage. passage. Chairman DePalma moves passage Chairman DePalma moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Senator Pataki's.. button. Senator Pataki's.. Madam president, may I be Madam president, may I be recorded.

[25:12] recorded. In the affirmative on consent In the affirmative on consent calendar number one, consent calendar number one, consent calendar. Number two. And then calendar. Number two. And then on the regular calendar number, on the regular calendar number, item number one and two. item number one and two.

[25:32] Senator, request to be mocked Senator, request to be mocked in the affirmative on consent in the affirmative on consent calendar one and two, as well calendar one and two, as well as calendar items number one as calendar items number one and two, does not impact the and two, does not impact the outcome of the vote.

[25:43] Hearing no outcome of the vote. Hearing no objection, so ordered. objection, so ordered. Second. Second. Is there any further discussion Is there any further discussion on item number five? Seeing on item number five? Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the none, will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All members machine, please? All members could cast their vote. Please.

[26:04] could cast their vote. Please. The clerk could lock the The clerk could lock the machine. There are 37 votes in machine. There are 37 votes in the affirmative. There. Against the affirmative. There. Against the act. Passes. Item number the act. Passes. Item number six. S 2348.

[26:16] Sub A in act six. S 2348. Sub A in act related to education. The related to education. The Nathan Bruno and Jason Flat act Nathan Bruno and Jason Flat act chairwoman GU. chairwoman GU. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[26:25] This bill would direct middle This bill would direct middle and high schools which issue and high schools which issue student identification cards to student identification cards to include on those cards. Contact include on those cards. Contact numbers, telephone numbers for numbers, telephone numbers for suicide prevention and suicide prevention and substance use disorder substance use disorder prevention. This can be prevention.

[26:39] This can be combined into a 988 um on combined into a 988 um on having that printed on the card having that printed on the card for students and staff and um, for students and staff and um, this would be, uh, this would this would be, uh, this would help promote awareness of these help promote awareness of these resources. And I move passage.

[26:51] resources. And I move passage. Chair Gomez passage of the act Chair Gomez passage of the act all wanting to second, please all wanting to second, please press your green button. Is press your green button.

[27:03] Is there further discussion on the there further discussion on the act before you? Seeing and act before you? Seeing and hearing none. Will the clerk hearing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All unlock the machine, please? All those who wish to vote in the those who wish to vote in the affirmative, press the green affirmative, press the green button.

[27:09] All those opposed the button. All those opposed the red. If all members could cast red. If all members could cast their vote, please. If the their vote, please. If the clerk could lock the machine. clerk could lock the machine. There are 37 votes in the There are 37 votes in the affirmative. Sarah.

[27:18] Against the affirmative. Sarah. Against the act passes. Item number seven. act passes. Item number seven. S 2525. Sub A by chairman S 2525. Sub A by chairman McKinney. An accolade to McKinney. An accolade to commercial law. General commercial law. General regulatory provisions. Library regulatory provisions. Library books, contracts. Chairman books, contracts. Chairman McKinney. McKinney. Thank you, Madam President.

[27:33] Thank you, Madam President. I'll be moving the acting at I'll be moving the acting at the appropriate time. I'll have the appropriate time. I'll have a floor amendment. But I do a floor amendment. But I do want to speak briefly about want to speak briefly about this bill.

[27:43] Uh, I don't need to this bill. Uh, I don't need to tell you folks about libraries tell you folks about libraries and how critical they are, how and how critical they are, how important they are. Uh, digital important they are.

[27:51] Uh, digital content is now something that content is now something that has become not just a luxury, has become not just a luxury, but a necessity for many but a necessity for many people, particularly for, uh, people, particularly for, uh, older people. People who simply older people.

[28:02] People who simply find that using an e-book or an find that using an e-book or an audiobook is more accessible or audiobook is more accessible or manageable, uh, than using a manageable, uh, than using a regular hardcopy book. Uh, regular hardcopy book. Uh, folks who simply can't afford folks who simply can't afford to to buy, purchase books and to to buy, purchase books and older Americans, people with older Americans, people with disabilities as well.

[28:15] So all of disabilities as well. So all of those folks are using those folks are using audiobooks and e-books to the audiobooks and e-books to the point where I had not been point where I had not been aware of the numbers. But right aware of the numbers.

[28:26] But right now there are over 135,000 now there are over 135,000 e-books or audiobooks checked e-books or audiobooks checked out, uh, of Rhode Island out, uh, of Rhode Island libraries. And there are tens libraries.

[28:38] And there are tens of thousands of people who are of thousands of people who are on the waiting list with holds on the waiting list with holds for those books. Uh, the for those books. Uh, the problem is that providing problem is that providing digital content has become very digital content has become very difficult for libraries. Big difficult for libraries.

[28:52] Big publishers have been raising publishers have been raising prices to unheard of levels for prices to unheard of levels for years. Uh, an individual years. Uh, an individual purchases an e-book, you can go purchases an e-book, you can go online, Amazon, whatever. online, Amazon, whatever. They're usually a little bit They're usually a little bit expensive. Well, now think expensive. Well, now think about that.

[29:04] When the library about that. When the library goes to purchase that very same goes to purchase that very same item and is charged five times, item and is charged five times, seven times, ten times the seven times, ten times the amount that an individual would amount that an individual would be charged.

[29:16] So what's happening be charged. So what's happening at this point is that and I at this point is that and I have to note, uh, the total net have to note, uh, the total net revenue reported for the US revenue reported for the US publishing industry in 2025, publishing industry in 2025, net revenue, uh, was 14.

[29:33] 6 net revenue, uh, was 14.6 billion. So I would suggest billion. So I would suggest don't be fooled by billboards don't be fooled by billboards or or capable lobbyists. Uh, or or capable lobbyists.

[29:43] Uh, the fact is that the US the fact is that the US publishing industry is doing publishing industry is doing just fine. Let me add another just fine. Let me add another wrinkle to this. We're used to wrinkle to this. We're used to buying a book. You buy a book, buying a book. You buy a book, it's yours. When ebooks or it's yours.

[29:54] When ebooks or audiobooks are purchased, audiobooks are purchased, you're not actually buying that you're not actually buying that digital content. You're buying digital content. You're buying a license. And that license a license. And that license expires. It usually expires expires. It usually expires after 52 weeks or 24 checkouts, after 52 weeks or 24 checkouts, that type of thing.

[30:06] They will that type of thing. They will have that in the terms. And so have that in the terms. And so these these libraries are being these these libraries are being forced to repurchase a book a forced to repurchase a book a short time down the road that short time down the road that they've already had, uh, that

[30:18] they've already had, uh, that they've already bought. So they've already bought. So Rhode Island libraries are in a Rhode Island libraries are in a situation where they're situation where they're spending more than $750,000 a spending more than $750,000 a year on an e-book collection year on an e-book collection that's filled with expiring

[30:31] that's filled with expiring titles. Uh, the tough part, titles. Uh, the tough part, too, is that libraries are very too, is that libraries are very much beholden to the much beholden to the publishers, publishers and publishers, publishers and distributors are set the distributors are set the pricing and the terms, and they

[30:41] pricing and the terms, and they do it unilaterally. We all know do it unilaterally. We all know that occasionally we buy things that occasionally we buy things and the contract is stuck in and the contract is stuck in front of us. We're told to front of us. We're told to sign.

[30:51] Even as a lawyer, I don't sign. Even as a lawyer, I don't spend an hour and a half spend an hour and a half reading that over. You scribble reading that over. You scribble your John Hancock, you sign it, your John Hancock, you sign it, it's yours. But we in the law it's yours.

[31:00] But we in the law call those contracts of call those contracts of adhesion entirely one sided. adhesion entirely one sided. There is no room for There is no room for negotiation at all. So now big negotiation at all.

[31:13] So now big publishers have forced our publishers have forced our libraries to pay an expensive libraries to pay an expensive price for a license of limited price for a license of limited duration. And this has been duration. And this has been enabled by the publishers enabled by the publishers market power over digital market power over digital books, extraordinary market books, extraordinary market power, which they don't hold power, which they don't hold over physical books.

[31:24] We have in over physical books. We have in Rhode Island. Rhode Island Rhode Island. Rhode Island libraries have tried to work libraries have tried to work with the publishers to come up with the publishers to come up with fair pricing and licensing with fair pricing and licensing models, to no avail.

[31:34] And so models, to no avail. And so across the country in recent across the country in recent years, there has been an effort years, there has been an effort to deal with this. to deal with this.

[31:44] Unfortunately, earlier attempts Unfortunately, earlier attempts to do so ran into something to do so ran into something that was a major obstacle, and that was a major obstacle, and that's US federal copyright that's US federal copyright law. And so a major case in law.

[31:54] And so a major case in Maryland was overturned, and it Maryland was overturned, and it looked like the type of bill looked like the type of bill that I was actually trying to that I was actually trying to put in a few years ago would be put in a few years ago would be going nowhere. The change in going nowhere. The change in past couple of years has been a past couple of years has been a change to a contract model.

[32:02] change to a contract model. States are taking a different States are taking a different tack, and that's what this is. tack, and that's what this is.

[32:12] We're using state contract and We're using state contract and consumer protection law, uh, to consumer protection law, uh, to make sure that we have a fair make sure that we have a fair playing field in the playing field in the marketplace. So what bill marketplace.

[32:23] So what bill number two, five, two, five number two, five, two, five says is that no contract says is that no contract between a Rhode Island library between a Rhode Island library and a publisher can require the and a publisher can require the library to acquire a license library to acquire a license for an electronic library book for an electronic library book at a price greater than what's at a price greater than what's charged to the public. The same charged to the public. The same license.

[32:33] Uh, it also makes sure license. Uh, it also makes sure that they can't restrict the that they can't restrict the number of licenses for number of licenses for electronic materials that the electronic materials that the library may may acquire after library may may acquire after that same item is made that same item is made available to the public.

[32:43] A available to the public. A coalition of libraries across coalition of libraries across the country has been working on the country has been working on this. And just to make sure this.

[32:50] And just to make sure that we're not going it alone, that we're not going it alone, you'll see that this bill has a you'll see that this bill has a trigger clause. It had been two trigger clause. It had been two states. Um, you'll now see that states.

[32:59] Um, you'll now see that the sub A has at, uh, four the sub A has at, uh, four states, and we actually have a states, and we actually have a floor amendment that will make floor amendment that will make sure that the effective date is sure that the effective date is in line with that. Uh, but the in line with that. Uh, but the fact is that our bill will fact is that our bill will require four states to trigger.

[33:08] require four states to trigger. So we're not going to be in a So we're not going to be in a situation where we are going situation where we are going out there and fighting as out there and fighting as little Rhode Island against little Rhode Island against everyone else.

[33:16] The hope is that everyone else. The hope is that this bill never goes into this bill never goes into effect, that the the publishers effect, that the the publishers stop gouging libraries come to stop gouging libraries come to the table and actually give the table and actually give libraries in their budgets some

[33:25] libraries in their budgets some relief. And so for all of those relief. And so for all of those reasons, I am moving the bill. reasons, I am moving the bill. Uh, and as I indicated, I will Uh, and as I indicated, I will have a floor amendment. have a floor amendment.

[33:36] Senator McKinney moves passage Senator McKinney moves passage of the act. All those who wish of the act. All those who wish to second, please press your to second, please press your green button. Senator McKinney. green button. Senator McKinney. Thank you, Madam President. The Thank you, Madam President. The floor amendment is LC 0051443. floor amendment is LC 0051443.

[34:02] Chairman, McKinney office LC Chairman, McKinney office LC 0051443 and moves passage. All 0051443 and moves passage. All those who wish to second, those who wish to second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Chairman McKinney. Chairman McKinney. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, Thank you, Madam President.

[34:19] Uh, as I mentioned a moment ago, as I mentioned a moment ago, this simply makes sure that the this simply makes sure that the effective date is appropriately effective date is appropriately shown to be when the Attorney shown to be when the Attorney general has determined that general has determined that four states have passed similar four states have passed similar legislation applying to 10

[34:30] legislation applying to 10 million people or more. And so million people or more. And so the trigger will not be hit the trigger will not be hit unless and until that event unless and until that event occurs. Move passage of the occurs. Move passage of the amendment. amendment. The amendment has been moved.

[34:45] The amendment has been moved. Um, is there any further Um, is there any further discussion on the amendment discussion on the amendment before you sing and hearing before you sing and hearing none. Will the clerk unlock the none.

[35:03] Will the clerk unlock the machine? If the clerk will lock machine? If the clerk will lock the machine, there are 37 votes the machine, there are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero in the affirmative, zero against the amendment passes. against the amendment passes. Chairman McKinney. Chairman McKinney. Move the bill as amended. Move the bill as amended.

[35:12] Chairman McKinney moves passage Chairman McKinney moves passage of the act as amended. All of the act as amended. All wanting to. Second, please wanting to. Second, please press your green button. press your green button. Senator Coleman. Senator Coleman. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[35:27] I just wanted to say that I I just wanted to say that I think this is a really think this is a really commendable bill. I think it is commendable bill. I think it is important and I am speaking important and I am speaking right now in my capacity, both right now in my capacity, both as a published author and as a

[35:33] as a published author and as a professor who has gone three professor who has gone three rounds about getting my rounds about getting my students access to digital students access to digital materials. So thank you, materials. So thank you, chairman, for your work on chairman, for your work on this.

[35:41] Um, and I'm happy to this. Um, and I'm happy to second it. second it. Further discussion on the act, Further discussion on the act, as amended before you seeing as amended before you seeing none, will the clerk unlock the none, will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 36

[36:00] lock the machine? There are 36 votes in the affirmative. One votes in the affirmative. One against the act, as amended. against the act, as amended. Passes. Item number eight. S Passes. Item number eight. S 2352. Sub A by chairman 2352. Sub A by chairman McKinney and Accolade to McKinney and Accolade to Agriculture and Forestry.

[36:17] Agriculture and Forestry. Protection of trees and plants Protection of trees and plants generally. Rhode Island. generally. Rhode Island. Invasive Plant Management Act Invasive Plant Management Act chairman McKinney. chairman McKinney. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[36:31] This bill is an attempt to deal This bill is an attempt to deal with the scourge of invasive with the scourge of invasive plants in Rhode Island. plants in Rhode Island. Originally we had in there the Originally we had in there the purchase, I think at one point purchase, I think at one point the mayor possession and the the mayor possession and the transport, uh, those were all

[36:42] transport, uh, those were all taken out because otherwise we taken out because otherwise we would have turned a lot of would have turned a lot of people into criminals who don't people into criminals who don't need to be. Um, but it is an need to be.

[36:51] Um, but it is an effort to I had a constituent effort to I had a constituent in Oakland Beach. In Oakland in Oakland Beach. In Oakland Beach is absolutely overcome Beach is absolutely overcome with Japanese knotweed, which I with Japanese knotweed, which I had never heard of until a few had never heard of until a few years ago.

[36:59] And now I'm hearing years ago. And now I'm hearing of left and right. Uh, but of left and right. Uh, but that's the type of invasive that's the type of invasive plant we're trying to deal plant we're trying to deal with. We also spoke to the with.

[37:06] We also spoke to the stakeholders and of course, of stakeholders and of course, of trying to get this done. The trying to get this done. The nursery people, and I think nursery people, and I think we've ended up with a good we've ended up with a good bill. I move passage. bill. I move passage.

[37:15] Chairman McKinney moves passage Chairman McKinney moves passage of the act all wanting to of the act all wanting to second, please press your green second, please press your green button. For the discussion on button. For the discussion on the act before you seeing none. the act before you seeing none.

[37:25] Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 lock the machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero votes in the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number nine. S 2354.

[37:44] Sub A by number nine. S 2354. Sub A by Senator de Mario. Senate Senator de Mario. Senate resolution requests from the resolution requests from the Rhode Island Public Utilities Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to terminate gas Commission to terminate gas line extension allowances as line extension allowances as part of docket 2545/GE Senator.

[37:59] part of docket 2545/GE Senator. Thank you, Madam President. So Thank you, Madam President. So this resolution does exactly this resolution does exactly what the title says. There is what the title says.

[38:08] There is currently a rate case docket currently a rate case docket with the Public Utilities with the Public Utilities Commission examining not only Commission examining not only electric rates, which for good electric rates, which for good reason have been receiving a reason have been receiving a lot of attention in terms of lot of attention in terms of their impacts on ratepayers in their impacts on ratepayers in Rhode Island, but also Rhode Island, but also examining the impacts of

[38:19] examining the impacts of different components of utility different components of utility rates on natural gas customers. rates on natural gas customers. There is currently currently a There is currently currently a practice of gas line extension practice of gas line extension allowances, which allow new gas allowances, which allow new gas hookups to basically have that

[38:30] hookups to basically have that upfront cost be spread among upfront cost be spread among all gas ratepayers, and this all gas ratepayers, and this resolution is requesting the resolution is requesting the Public Utilities Commission Public Utilities Commission consider terminating that consider terminating that practice because of the fact

[38:41] practice because of the fact that since the last rate case that since the last rate case happened in 2017, a lot has happened in 2017, a lot has changed. First of all, we have changed.

[38:50] First of all, we have passed the Act on Climate, passed the Act on Climate, which sets carbon emission which sets carbon emission reduction goals. And a big part reduction goals. And a big part of that is a building of that is a building decarbonization effort. And decarbonization effort.

[38:58] And there's also the context of the there's also the context of the future of gas Docket, which is future of gas Docket, which is outlining what the future of outlining what the future of natural gas use in Rhode Island natural gas use in Rhode Island is. And so what this resolution is.

[39:05] And so what this resolution simply does is request that the simply does is request that the Public Utilities Commission Public Utilities Commission take up and consider the idea take up and consider the idea that that socialized cost that that socialized cost should no longer be happening, should no longer be happening, and that people who wish to and that people who wish to hook up to natural gas for new

[39:14] hook up to natural gas for new construction will have to pay construction will have to pay that upfront cost, just like that upfront cost, just like they do, to hook up to the they do, to hook up to the electric utility. I move electric utility. I move passage. passage.

[39:23] Senator moves passage of the Senator moves passage of the act all wanting to. Second, act all wanting to. Second, please push your green button. please push your green button. Senator, Takis. Senator, Takis. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Would the sponsor yield to a Would the sponsor yield to a question. question.

[39:39] For the senator yield? Senator For the senator yield? Senator Mario. Mario. Senator Mario, on line five, we Senator Mario, on line five, we have the words climate action have the words climate action strategy. There needs to be a strategy. There needs to be a reduction in the use of gas for reduction in the use of gas for home heating.

[39:50] Does that also home heating. Does that also include gas for cooking? Is include gas for cooking? Is that included? that included? No. I mean, if your question is No.

[40:01] I mean, if your question is whether or not this would in whether or not this would in some way prevent a person from some way prevent a person from deciding to have a gas stove or deciding to have a gas stove or use a gas stove. No, not in any use a gas stove. No, not in any way. way. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah.

[40:11] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you seeing none, the act before you seeing none, will the clerk unlock the will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All members machine, please? All members cast their vote. Please. Will cast their vote. Please. Will the clerk lock the machine? the clerk lock the machine? There are 32 votes in the There are 32 votes in the affirmative.

[40:26] Five against the affirmative. Five against the act passes. Item number ten. S act passes. Item number ten. S 3150. Sub A by Chairwoman 3150. Sub A by Chairwoman Sosnowski. An act related to Sosnowski. An act related to insurance weather related insurance weather related losses. Chairman. Chairwoman losses. Chairman. Chairwoman Sosnowski. Sorry. Sosnowski. Sorry. Thank you, Madam President.

[40:41] Thank you, Madam President. This bill, I introduced this This bill, I introduced this bill at the request of bill at the request of Department of Business Department of Business Regulation. It establishes the Regulation.

[40:54] It establishes the strengthened Rhody Homes strengthened Rhody Homes program within DBR, which would program within DBR, which would make grants available to make grants available to residential Rhode Island residential Rhode Island homeowners to undertake homeowners to undertake resilience construction or resilience construction or retrofits to make the retrofits to make the residential home more resilient residential home more resilient to catastrophic risk. And the to catastrophic risk.

[41:05] And the program will be funded through program will be funded through a revolving fund, which a revolving fund, which consists of potential money consists of potential money from grants and federal from grants and federal programs. And I move passage.. programs. And I move passage..

[41:14] Chairwoman Sosnowski moves Chairwoman Sosnowski moves passage of the act all wanting passage of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your to. Second, please press your green button. Is there further green button.

[41:25] Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none? Will the clerk you seeing none? Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All unlock the machine, please? All those who wish to vote in the those who wish to vote in the affirmative, press the green affirmative, press the green button. All those opposed the button. All those opposed the Red fall members would please Red fall members would please cast their votes.

[41:34] If the clerk cast their votes. If the clerk will lock the machine. There will lock the machine. There are 36 votes in the are 36 votes in the affirmative, one against the affirmative, one against the act passes item number 11. S act passes item number 11. S 2450 by Senator Coleman.

[41:46] An act 2450 by Senator Coleman. An act related to taxation, real related to taxation, real estate, conveyance, tax. estate, conveyance, tax. Senator Coleman. Senator Coleman. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[41:55] This is a bill I put in at the This is a bill I put in at the request of the municipal City request of the municipal City Clerks Association. It makes Clerks Association. It makes their life a little bit easier their life a little bit easier by clarifying the proportions by clarifying the proportions of taxes paid per when of taxes paid per when properties are split between properties are split between two municipalities and I move

[42:07] two municipalities and I move passage. passage. Senator Coleman moves passage Senator Coleman moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button.

[42:21] Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none, will the clerk you seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 votes in machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero against

[42:35] the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item number 12. the act passes. Item number 12. S 3182. Sub a Lena Chacon. An S 3182. Sub a Lena Chacon. An act related to agriculture and act related to agriculture and forestry. Forestry and forest forestry. Forestry and forest Parity Act Leda Chacon. Parity Act Leda Chacon. Thank you, Madam President.

[42:50] Thank you, Madam President. This act would establish a This act would establish a sales and use tax exemption for sales and use tax exemption for commercial forest products commercial forest products operations. It specifically operations.

[43:03] It specifically excludes land clearing for excludes land clearing for development projects, a company development projects, a company clearing trees to build a clearing trees to build a subdivision would not receive subdivision would not receive these protections, mainly these protections, mainly because trees are involved. In because trees are involved.

[43:14] In order to receive the benefit of order to receive the benefit of business must qualify as a business must qualify as a small business, employ no more small business, employ no more than 300 employees, derive at than 300 employees, derive at least 80% of annual revenue least 80% of annual revenue from the services to derive no from the services to derive no more than 25% of the annual more than 25% of the annual revenue from utility, revenue from utility, agriculture work, and with

[43:29] agriculture work, and with that, I move passage.. that, I move passage.. Como's passage of the act all Como's passage of the act all wanting to. Second, please wanting to. Second, please press your green button. press your green button. Senator Bell. Senator Bell. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President.

[43:47] I rise in opposition to this rise in opposition to this legislation. I do appreciate legislation. I do appreciate the language in there saying no the language in there saying no to land clearing. It's a little to land clearing.

[43:58] It's a little vague and exactly what that vague and exactly what that means, I think, is, uh, subject means, I think, is, uh, subject to a lot of interpretation. But to a lot of interpretation. But one of the other things that I one of the other things that I really worry about in terms of really worry about in terms of vagueness and interpretation is vagueness and interpretation is the expansive language saying

[44:09] the expansive language saying that forest product, uh, that forest product, uh, operations, which includes operations, which includes logging, is a permissible use logging, is a permissible use in any type of zoning district, in any type of zoning district, uh, it does say, except for uh, it does say, except for preservation of wildlife.

[44:26] But preservation of wildlife. But we're talking about there's no we're talking about there's no clear exemption for open space clear exemption for open space zones. It's not clear, uh, when zones.

[44:40] It's not clear, uh, when you do open space zoning, that you do open space zoning, that it's explicitly for the it's explicitly for the preservation of wildlife, preservation of wildlife, sometimes you have parks or sometimes you have parks or things like that. Um, it also, things like that. Um, it also, uh, most municipalities have uh, most municipalities have significant tree ordinances. We significant tree ordinances.

[44:57] We have one in Providence that have one in Providence that exists primarily to protect exists primarily to protect beautiful trees. That's not beautiful trees. That's not wildlife preservation per se. wildlife preservation per se. And as written, I think it And as written, I think it might override Providence's might override Providence's significant tree ordinance, significant tree ordinance, which helps protect beautiful which helps protect beautiful trees.

[45:14] I think it's dangerous trees. I think it's dangerous in how this vague language in how this vague language could be interpreted. And trees could be interpreted. And trees are nice and. If we allow are nice and.

[45:32] If we allow logging and cutting down trees logging and cutting down trees and vague language to shred and vague language to shred through our zoning protections through our zoning protections to protect trees, we could lose to protect trees, we could lose some beautiful trees. And it some beautiful trees.

[45:42] And it could be bad for the could be bad for the environment, as well as bad for environment, as well as bad for the general, uh, beauty of the the general, uh, beauty of the state of Rhode Island. state of Rhode Island. Senator Rogers. Senator Rogers. I think he's making a lot out I think he's making a lot out of nothing.

[45:57] If he needs some of nothing. If he needs some trees, he can come to the fore. trees, he can come to the fore. So I'll give him all he wants. So I'll give him all he wants. Uh, Rhode Island dem requires a Uh, Rhode Island dem requires a clearing permit. When you.

[46:04] I clearing permit. When you. I think you exceed more than one think you exceed more than one acre. You're required by round acre. You're required by round M to, uh, get a clearing permit M to, uh, get a clearing permit and approval from them. I think and approval from them.

[46:13] I think there's nothing to be worried there's nothing to be worried about when this bill. We have a about when this bill. We have a lot of loggers out in our area. lot of loggers out in our area. Uh, it is a good way to make a Uh, it is a good way to make a living.

[46:19] And they're considered living. And they're considered farmers also. farmers also. Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you seeing none. the act before you seeing none.

[46:34] Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All those who machine, please? All those who wish to vote in favor, please wish to vote in favor, please press the green button. All press the green button. All those oppose the red for all those oppose the red for all members could cast their vote. members could cast their vote. Please, Senator Morgan, she's Please, Senator Morgan, she's not here.

[46:45] Um, the clerk will not here. Um, the clerk will lock the machine. There are 33 lock the machine. There are 33 votes in the affirmative. Three votes in the affirmative. Three against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number 13. S 2570. Seven. A number 13. S 2570. Seven. A Senator Lauria.

[46:58] An act related Senator Lauria. An act related to health and safety. Use of to health and safety. Use of artificial intelligence by artificial intelligence by health care providers. health care providers. Notification act. Senator Notification act. Senator Lauria, thank you. Lauria, thank you. Madam President. So one. Madam President. So one.

[47:07] Of the most time consuming Of the most time consuming parts of any health care parts of any health care providers day is actually providers day is actually producing the note for the producing the note for the visit. It is not unusual to visit.

[47:18] It is not unusual to have technology to aid in that have technology to aid in that note taking. We've had note taking. We've had dictation software for years. dictation software for years. We've had live scribes We've had live scribes listening on the visit. It is listening on the visit.

[47:29] It is now become very common to use now become very common to use AI to have ambient listening in AI to have ambient listening in a visit and help produce that a visit and help produce that note that becomes a more note that becomes a more accurate note and aids in accurate note and aids in billing. However, it is the billing.

[47:40] However, it is the right of people that are that right of people that are that technology is being used in technology is being used in their visit to know that that their visit to know that that technology is being used. And technology is being used. And that's what this bill will do. that's what this bill will do.

[47:49] It'll make it mandatory that It'll make it mandatory that providers acknowledge and let providers acknowledge and let the person know that that AI is the person know that that AI is being used, and give them the being used, and give them the option of opting out. It's a option of opting out. It's a good bill. And I move passage.

[47:59] good bill. And I move passage. Senator law, most passage of Senator law, most passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Chairman DePalma. Chairman DePalma. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President.

[48:15] I applaud the Senator for applaud the Senator for bringing this bill forward. I bringing this bill forward. I think the important part is think the important part is the, uh, accuracy of the visit. the, uh, accuracy of the visit.

[48:23] Having been involved with the Having been involved with the area of AI for probably about area of AI for probably about 48 years now, having done some 48 years now, having done some master's work on that back a master's work on that back a long time ago and using it, I long time ago and using it, I don't say almost every day it's

[48:31] don't say almost every day it's pervasive. So I think on the pervasive. So I think on the bottom of the forms, it's going bottom of the forms, it's going to say AI has been used. But to say AI has been used.

[48:37] But the critical piece, I don't the critical piece, I don't know how anybody's going to opt know how anybody's going to opt out of it because it's going to out of it because it's going to be pervasive in Senator, as you be pervasive in Senator, as you say, any transcription tool say, any transcription tool that people are going to use, that people are going to use, transcription tools, they're

[48:44] transcription tools, they're not not going to use those. I not not going to use those. I think the important piece is think the important piece is critically important is that it critically important is that it get reviewed. That's the get reviewed.

[48:51] That's the important piece of the bill important piece of the bill that the person doing using the that the person doing using the tool, whatever that tool is, tool, whatever that tool is, and they're using it every day. and they're using it every day.

[48:59] We all use them whether we We all use them whether we think we're using them or not, think we're using them or not, using them or not. The critical using them or not. The critical piece is ensuring the accuracy. piece is ensuring the accuracy. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Lauria. Senator Lauria.

[49:10] I agree, Senator, just to be I agree, Senator, just to be clear, and then the Department clear, and then the Department of Health asked that language of Health asked that language to be added, and I was to be added, and I was perfectly fine with that. But perfectly fine with that. But medically, legally, every medically, legally, every provider is responsible for the provider is responsible for the accuracy of their note.

[49:18] Uh, accuracy of their note. Uh, everybody, it's no problem everybody, it's no problem reminding them that. But every reminding them that. But every provider knows that it is part provider knows that it is part of your obligation in producing of your obligation in producing the note. But thank you. the note. But thank you.

[49:31] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you? Seeing the act before you? Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the none, will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 36 lock the machine? There are 36 votes in the affirmative.

[49:44] Zero votes in the affirmative. Zero against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number 14. S 3026 by Chairwoman number 14. S 3026 by Chairwoman Murray and related to business Murray and related to business and professions. Mental health and professions. Mental health counselors in marriage and counselors in marriage and family therapists. Chairwoman family therapists. Chairwoman Mari.

[50:00] Mari. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This is a very straightforward This is a very straightforward bill that addresses licensure bill that addresses licensure concerns for marriage and concerns for marriage and family therapists. This bill family therapists.

[50:10] This bill allows for licensure allows for licensure portability as a way to offset portability as a way to offset the shortage of these the shortage of these therapists, while expanding therapists, while expanding access to care for residents. access to care for residents.

[50:20] Portability means that any Portability means that any marriage and family therapist marriage and family therapist licensed in another state can licensed in another state can have their license recognized have their license recognized in Rhode Island if they have at in Rhode Island if they have at least one year practice in the least one year practice in the other state, and they complete other state, and they complete the standard Rhode Island the standard Rhode Island licensure application and pay

[50:27] licensure application and pay all of the required fees. Once all of the required fees. Once licensed here, these therapists licensed here, these therapists could be subject to Rhode could be subject to Rhode Island's continuing education Island's continuing education requirements and regulatory requirements and regulatory oversight by DOH.

[50:36] This bill oversight by DOH. This bill will help attract and retain will help attract and retain marriage and family therapists marriage and family therapists here, while also making our here, while also making our state an attractive place for state an attractive place for those entering the field to set

[50:43] those entering the field to set up a practice. There was no up a practice. There was no opposition to this bill in the opposition to this bill in the hearing, and it enjoys hearing, and it enjoys widespread support from widespread support from therapists and students alike. therapists and students alike. And I move passage.

[50:51] And I move passage. Chairwoman Marianne Lewis Chairwoman Marianne Lewis passage of the act all wanting passage of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your to. Second, please press your green button. Is there further green button.

[51:04] Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none? Will the clerk you seeing none? Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 36 votes in machine? There are 36 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item number 15.

[51:19] the act passes. Item number 15. S 2735. Sub A by Chairman S 2735. Sub A by Chairman Burke. And equally to public Burke. And equally to public property and property in works property and property in works project. Labor agreements. project. Labor agreements. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Thank you, Madam Chair.

[51:33] Madam president, this bill promotes president, this bill promotes the use of project labor the use of project labor agreements known as Plas, on agreements known as Plas, on public construction projects to public construction projects to help ensure an adequate supply help ensure an adequate supply of skilled labor, prevent work of skilled labor, prevent work stoppages, support stoppages, support apprenticeship training and

[51:45] apprenticeship training and protect taxpayer investment. It protect taxpayer investment. It also preserves flexibility by also preserves flexibility by allowing agency to opt out. I allowing agency to opt out. I move passage and I do have a move passage and I do have a floor amendment by leaders, floor amendment by leaders, Cohen. Cohen.

[51:58] Chairman Burke moves passage of Chairman Burke moves passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Let me. Let me. Thank you, Madam President. The Thank you, Madam President. The floor amendment is LC 51162. floor amendment is LC 51162.

[52:24] Con offers amendment LC 0051162 Con offers amendment LC 0051162 and moves passage. All those and moves passage. All those wanting to. Second, please wanting to. Second, please press your green button. press your green button. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President.

[52:41] I think, uh, Senator McKinney, think, uh, Senator McKinney, uh, heard that I was going to uh, heard that I was going to be lengthy, so he upstaged me be lengthy, so he upstaged me with his speech earlier. So, with his speech earlier. So, uh, the original sub made the uh, the original sub made the following changes. Establishes following changes.

[52:52] Establishes a presumption to use Plas on a presumption to use Plas on large scale projects rather large scale projects rather than a mandate. Reduces the than a mandate.

[53:03] Reduces the window within which agencies window within which agencies must justify a non PLA project must justify a non PLA project within a 30 day window before within a 30 day window before bids are issued, rather than 90 bids are issued, rather than 90 days. Creates a broader days. Creates a broader framework governing municipal framework governing municipal use of PLA. Generally, while use of PLA.

[53:17] Generally, while maintaining a 35% state funded maintaining a 35% state funded threshold for large scale threshold for large scale municipal projects. Retains the municipal projects. Retains the 15% apprenticeship requirement 15% apprenticeship requirement and also retains the workforce and also retains the workforce staffing plan requirements. staffing plan requirements. When PLA is not used. After the When PLA is not used.

[53:30] After the sub came out of committee, we sub came out of committee, we received some changes with the received some changes with the bill while it was in the House bill while it was in the House committee. The changes are committee. The changes are contained in the floor contained in the floor amendment. The changes offer amendment.

[53:40] The changes offer towns and public agencies more towns and public agencies more flexibility in jobs under $25 flexibility in jobs under $25 million. The changes are not million. The changes are not about large scale jobs. The about large scale jobs. The changes concern a small changes concern a small construction project. Those on construction project.

[53:53] Those on the 25 million the floor the 25 million the floor amendment addresses small jobs amendment addresses small jobs where there is no presumption where there is no presumption that a PLA is in the best that a PLA is in the best interest of the procuring interest of the procuring agency. We eliminated all agency.

[54:05] We eliminated all presumptions in that section, presumptions in that section, and we permit the public agency and we permit the public agency to make their own determination to make their own determination as to whether a PLA is as to whether a PLA is necessary or advantageous. The necessary or advantageous.

[54:16] The amendment provides more amendment provides more flexibility to towns and state flexibility to towns and state agencies to decide for agencies to decide for themselves whether a PLA makes themselves whether a PLA makes sense to them, without the same sense to them, without the same presumption tied to large scale presumption tied to large scale projects or the need to create

[54:25] projects or the need to create economic studies that may economic studies that may exceed the value of the exceed the value of the project. This also makes small project.

[54:37] This also makes small scale jobs less expensive as a scale jobs less expensive as a municipality would not be municipality would not be forced to explore the PLA forced to explore the PLA economic analysis when towns economic analysis when towns simply do not want to use one. simply do not want to use one.

[54:47] This takes that expense off the This takes that expense off the table and lets the public, table and lets the public, Anthony, make its own decision Anthony, make its own decision and otherwise use existing and otherwise use existing state and municipal procurement state and municipal procurement laws. And with that I move laws. And with that I move passage. passage. The amendment has been moved The amendment has been moved and seconded. Any further and seconded.

[55:01] Any further discussion on the amendment discussion on the amendment before you seeing none, will before you seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine? the clerk unlock the machine? All those who wish to vote in All those who wish to vote in favor of the amendment press favor of the amendment press the green button.

[55:08] All those the green button. All those opposed the red. Will all opposed the red. Will all members please cast their vote? members please cast their vote? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine, please? There are 37 machine, please? There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero votes in the affirmative, zero against. The amendment passes.

[55:27] against. The amendment passes. Chairman Burke. Chairman Burke. Move! Passage. Move! Passage. Chairman Burke moves. Passage Chairman Burke moves. Passage of the act as amended. All of the act as amended. All those wishing a second, please those wishing a second, please press your green button. Is press your green button.

[55:42] Is there further discussion on the there further discussion on the act before you, as amended? act before you, as amended? Seeing none, will the clerk Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 votes in machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero against

[56:03] the affirmative, zero against the act as amended. Passes. the act as amended. Passes. Chairman. Basilian. Chairman. Basilian. Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. May I be marked on President.

[56:12] May I be marked on the prevailing side of all the prevailing side of all matters for which I wasn't matters for which I wasn't present? Thank you. present? Thank you. Chairman Brazilian asks to be Chairman Brazilian asks to be mocked in the affirmative on mocked in the affirmative on all matters he has missed. It all matters he has missed. It does not impact the outcome. does not impact the outcome. Hearing no objection so ordered.

[56:24] Hearing no objection so ordered. Next is item number 16. House Next is item number 16. House Bill 7532. Sub B representative Bill 7532. Sub B representative van a joint resolution creating van a joint resolution creating a Joint Legislative Commission a Joint Legislative Commission to study sludge management in

[56:43] to study sludge management in Rhode Island. I have two lights, Rhode Island. I have two lights, chairman. chairman. I just want to be affirmative. I just want to be affirmative. On 15, please. On 15, please. 5015. Chairman Flagg wishes to 5015.

[56:59] Chairman Flagg wishes to be recorded in the affirmative be recorded in the affirmative on item 15 does not impact the on item 15 does not impact the outcomes awarded. Senator outcomes awarded. Senator Demario. Demario. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This is the companion to the This is the companion to the Study Commission resolution Study Commission resolution that we passed yesterday.

[57:09] I that we passed yesterday. I move passage, and I believe move passage, and I believe Senator Thompson has the same Senator Thompson has the same floor amendment he offered floor amendment he offered yesterday on my bill. yesterday on my bill.

[57:17] Senator Merriam, was passage of Senator Merriam, was passage of the act all wanting to second, the act all wanting to second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Senator Thompson. Senator Thompson. Thank. Thank. You, Madam President. I'm I You, Madam President. I'm I move LC004425. Three. move LC004425. Three. Senator Thompson, office Senator Thompson, office LC0044253 and moves passage. LC0044253 and moves passage. All those who wish to second.

[57:46] All those who wish to second. Please press your green button. Please press your green button. Senator Thompson. Senator Thompson. I'm going to save everybody the I'm going to save everybody the indulgence tonight. It's the indulgence tonight. It's the same. Amendment that we had on same.

[58:03] Amendment that we had on the, um, removing of the the, um, removing of the Woonsocket incinerator. Woonsocket incinerator. Language. Language. Further discussion on the Further discussion on the amendment before you seeing amendment before you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the none.

[58:14] Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All those who machine, please? All those who wish to vote in the wish to vote in the affirmative, press the green affirmative, press the green button. All those opposed the button. All those opposed the red for all members could cast red for all members could cast their vote on the amendment. their vote on the amendment. Please, please. If the clerk Please, please. If the clerk could please lock the machine.

[58:25] could please lock the machine. There are 38 votes in the There are 38 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the amendment passes. Senator amendment passes. Senator Demario. Demario. I move the act as amended. I move the act as amended. Senator DeMaria moves the act Senator DeMaria moves the act as amended.

[58:38] All those wanting as amended. All those wanting to second, please push your to second, please push your green button. Is there further green button. Is there further discussion on The act before discussion on The act before you, as amended. Seeing none, you, as amended.

[59:01] Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 lock the machine? There are 38 members in the affirmative. members in the affirmative. Zero against the act, as Zero against the act, as amended. Passes. Next is item amended. Passes. Next is item number 17. House Bill 7571.

[59:17] Sub number 17. House Bill 7571. Sub A by Representative Tansey and A by Representative Tansey and relate to motor and other relate to motor and other vehicles. Registration of vehicles. Registration of vehicles. Senator Demario. vehicles. Senator Demario. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[59:26] This is the House companion of This is the House companion of the bill to create a license the bill to create a license plate for the friends of the plate for the friends of the Historic Narragansett Towers. I Historic Narragansett Towers. I move passage and at the move passage and at the appropriate time, I have a appropriate time, I have a floor amendment.

[59:33] floor amendment. Senator Mario moves passage of Senator Mario moves passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Senator Demario. Senator Demario. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President. I offer LC 0046812. offer LC 0046812.

[59:51] Senator De Mario, office LC Senator De Mario, office LC 0046812 and moves passage. All 0046812 and moves passage. All those who wish to second, those who wish to second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Senator Demario. Senator Demario. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[1:00:07] This just aligns the date with This just aligns the date with the version that we passed to the version that we passed to be effective upon passage be effective upon passage instead of six months from now. instead of six months from now. The act, as the amendment has The act, as the amendment has been moved and seconded.

[1:00:17] Is been moved and seconded. Is there any further discussion on there any further discussion on the amendment before you seeing the amendment before you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the none.

[1:00:30] Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 lock the machine? There are 38 members in the affirmative, members in the affirmative, there against the act passes as there against the act passes as amended. amended. Oh. Oh. Oh, that was the amendment. Oh, that was the amendment. Sorry. Sorry. I move as amended. I move as amended. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[1:00:44] Thank you. Senator Mario. Senator de Mario Senator Mario. Senator de Mario moves passed it down. The act moves passed it down. The act as amended. All those wish to as amended. All those wish to second, please press your green second, please press your green button.

[1:00:58] Now, discussion on the button. Now, discussion on the act before you, as amended. act before you, as amended. Seeing none will allow the Seeing none will allow the clerk unlock the machine, clerk unlock the machine, please. All those who wish to please.

[1:01:06] All those who wish to vote in the affirmative and the vote in the affirmative and the act as amended, please press act as amended, please press the green button. All those the green button. All those opposed the red. The clerk opposed the red. The clerk could lock the machine. There could lock the machine.

[1:01:17] There are 38 members in the are 38 members in the affirmative, a zero against the affirmative, a zero against the act, as amended, passes number act, as amended, passes number 18. H Tim and La mountain H 18. H Tim and La mountain H 7780 and related to motor and 7780 and related to motor and other vehicles. Chairman la other vehicles. Chairman la mountain.

[1:01:34] mountain. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This is a dupe of a prior bill This is a dupe of a prior bill that we pass, and at the that we pass, and at the appropriate time after I moved appropriate time after I moved passage. I do have a floor passage. I do have a floor amendment.

[1:01:44] amendment. Chairman mountain was passage Chairman mountain was passage of the act all wanted to of the act all wanted to second, please press your green second, please press your green button. Chairman LaMontagne. button. Chairman LaMontagne. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President. I offer Floor Amendment LLC offer Floor Amendment LLC 497252. Um.

[1:02:03] It's a 497252. Um. It's a straightforward one. It deletes straightforward one. It deletes six months after passage and it six months after passage and it inserts and place thereof the inserts and place thereof the language upon passage. With language upon passage. With that, I move the floor. that, I move the floor. Amendment. Amendment.

[1:02:15] Chairman, can you just check Chairman, can you just check the number I have? Your the number I have? Your offering. LC 0049722725. offering. LC 0049722725. Oh yeah seven two. Sorry, its Oh yeah seven two. Sorry, its last two. last two.

[1:02:30] Cherry mountain off is LC Cherry mountain off is LC 0049722 and moves passage all 0049722 and moves passage all wishing to second. Please press wishing to second. Please press your green button. Discussion your green button. Discussion on the amendment before you on the amendment before you hearing. None. Will the clerk hearing. None.

[1:02:53] Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 votes in machine? There are 38 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the amendment passes. Chairman the amendment passes. Chairman la mountain. la mountain. Move passage, please. Move passage, please. Chairman Lamont moves. Passage Chairman Lamont moves. Passage of the act as amended.

[1:03:03] All of the act as amended. All wanting to. Second, please wanting to. Second, please press your green button. press your green button. Discussion on the act, as Discussion on the act, as amended before you seeing none. amended before you seeing none. If the clerk will unlock the If the clerk will unlock the machine.

[1:03:16] All those who wish to machine. All those who wish to vote in the affirmative press vote in the affirmative press the green button. All those the green button. All those opposed the red for all members opposed the red for all members could cast their vote. Please, could cast their vote.

[1:03:28] Please, Senator Mac, if the clerk would Senator Mac, if the clerk would please lock the machine. There please lock the machine. There are 38 votes in the are 38 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the act as amended. Passes item act as amended. Passes item number 1987437 by number 1987437 by Representative Slater.

[1:03:41] An act Representative Slater. An act related to motor and other related to motor and other vehicles. Automated traffic vehicles. Automated traffic violation, monetary systems. violation, monetary systems. Senator Hoyer. Senator Hoyer. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This is a duplicate legislation This is a duplicate legislation to leader Chuck Jones.

[1:03:55] Bill, I to leader Chuck Jones. Bill, I move passage. move passage. Senator William, was passage of Senator William, was passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Senator Hoyer. Senator Hoyer. And I'd like to move amendment.

[1:04:14] And I'd like to move amendment. LC 0042582, please. And this is LC 0042582, please. And this is just a duplicate amendment to just a duplicate amendment to attach that privacy language attach that privacy language that we did on later. Chuck. that we did on later. Chuck. Will move passage on the Will move passage on the amendment.

[1:04:27] amendment. Senator, your office LC 0042582 Senator, your office LC 0042582 and moves passage. All those and moves passage. All those wishing to second. Please press wishing to second. Please press your green button. Senator. your green button. Senator. Move passage. Move passage. Yep. The amendment has been Yep. The amendment has been moved.

[1:04:51] Any further discussion moved. Any further discussion on the amendment before you? on the amendment before you? Seeing none, will the clerk Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 35 votes in machine? There are 35 votes in the affirmative. Three against.

[1:05:09] the affirmative. Three against. The amendment passes. Senator The amendment passes. Senator oyer. oyer. Move! Passage. Move! Passage. Senator Obama's passage of the Senator Obama's passage of the act, as amended. All wanting act, as amended. All wanting to. Second, please press your to. Second, please press your green button.

[1:05:29] Is there further green button. Is there further discussion on the aquifer? You discussion on the aquifer? You as amended, seeing none, will as amended, seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 33 votes in

[1:05:47] machine? There are 33 votes in the affirmative. Five against the affirmative. Five against the act as amended. Passes. the act as amended. Passes. Senator Pierson. Senator Pierson. Madam president, may I recuse Madam president, may I recuse on this item? Coming up, number on this item? Coming up, number 20. 20.

[1:06:00] Senator Pierson, recuse is on Senator Pierson, recuse is on item number 20. H 8104, sub A item number 20. H 8104, sub A by chairwoman McEntee and act by chairwoman McEntee and act related to property mortgages related to property mortgages of real property. Chairman of real property. Chairman Britto. Britto. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This bill.

[1:06:21] This bill. Is identical. Is identical. To. Senate Bill 373. To. Senate Bill 373. And I move passage. And I move passage. Chairman Bertram was passage of Chairman Bertram was passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button.

[1:06:44] There further discussion on the There further discussion on the act before you seeing none. act before you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? The clerk lock machine, please? The clerk lock the machine. There are 37 votes the machine. There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero in the affirmative, zero against the act passes.

[1:07:05] Item against the act passes. Item number 21. S 2182. Sub b by number 21. S 2182. Sub b by Senator Apollonia. An act Senator Apollonia. An act related to motor and other related to motor and other vehicles, operators and vehicles, operators and chauffeurs. Licenses Senator chauffeurs. Licenses Senator Apollonia. Apollonia. Thank you, Madam President.

[1:07:18] We Thank you, Madam President. We voted on on on this back in voted on on on this back in March. March. The bill removes. The bill removes. Financial barriers for Financial barriers for individuals and foster adoptive individuals and foster adoptive homes by waiving the fee for homes by waiving the fee for driver's ed classes at the

[1:07:29] driver's ed classes at the Community College of Rhode Community College of Rhode Island, and the funding was Island, and the funding was moved from the CRE to DCF. And moved from the CRE to DCF. And I moved passage. I moved passage. Senator Apollonia moves passage Senator Apollonia moves passage of the act all wanting to.

[1:07:42] of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Further discussion on button. Further discussion on the act before you seeing none. the act before you seeing none.

[1:07:58] Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 lock the machine? There are 38 votes in the affirmative. Zero. votes in the affirmative. Zero. The act passes item number 22 H The act passes item number 22 H 8603. Sub A by Representative 8603. Sub A by Representative Casimir.

[1:08:10] An accolade to motor Casimir. An accolade to motor and other vehicles. Operators and other vehicles. Operators and chauffeurs. Licenses. and chauffeurs. Licenses. Chairman Brito. Chairman Brito. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This bill is identical to This bill is identical to Senate Bill 2182 that. Senate Bill 2182 that. Was introduced. Was introduced.

[1:08:24] By Senator Apollonia and IMO By Senator Apollonia and IMO Passage. Passage. Chairman Abraham was passage of Chairman Abraham was passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button. For. For. Further discussion on the act Further discussion on the act before you.

[1:08:40] Seeing none, will before you. Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, the clerk unlock the machine, please? Senator Dela Cruz, Mack. please? Senator Dela Cruz, Mack. The clerk would lock the The clerk would lock the machine, please. There are 38 machine, please. There are 38 votes in the affirmative. Zero votes in the affirmative. Zero gets the act passes.

[1:09:00] Item gets the act passes. Item number 23. S 2350. Sub A by number 23. S 2350. Sub A by Chairman DePalma. An act Chairman DePalma. An act related to education, health related to education, health and safety of pupils. Chairman and safety of pupils. Chairman DePalma. DePalma. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[1:09:14] This is the seizure safe This is the seizure safe Schools bill. The House made a Schools bill. The House made a technical amendment. And with technical amendment. And with that I move passage. that I move passage. Chairman DePalma moves passage Chairman DePalma moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to.

[1:09:23] Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Further discussion on button. Further discussion on the act before you seeing none. the act before you seeing none.

[1:09:36] Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All those who machine, please? All those who wish to vote in the wish to vote in the affirmative, press the green affirmative, press the green button. All those opposed the button. All those opposed the red for all members could cast red for all members could cast their vote. Please. Senator their vote. Please. Senator Morgan. The clerk could lock Morgan. The clerk could lock the machine. Please. There are the machine. Please. There are 38 votes in the affirmative.

[1:09:54] 38 votes in the affirmative. They're against the act. They're against the act. Passes. Item number 24 is H Passes. Item number 24 is H 7481. Sub a by Representative 7481. Sub a by Representative Fogarty and relate to Fogarty and relate to education, health and safety of education, health and safety of pupils. Chairman DePalma.

[1:10:08] pupils. Chairman DePalma. Don't forget the bill we just Don't forget the bill we just passed. Madam president, I move passed. Madam president, I move passage. passage. Chairman DePalma moves passage Chairman DePalma moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to.

[1:10:15] Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none. Will the clerk you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? The unlock the machine, please? The clerk will lock the machine.

[1:10:31] clerk will lock the machine. There were 38 votes in the There were 38 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item number 25. S act passes. Item number 25. S 2504. Sub A by an act related 2504. Sub A by an act related to Labor and Labor relations.

[1:10:44] to Labor and Labor relations. Warehouse Worker Protection Act Warehouse Worker Protection Act leader. Chico. leader. Chico. Thank you, Madam President. We Thank you, Madam President. We passed this bill earlier this passed this bill earlier this session and the House made some session and the House made some changes to it.

[1:10:56] It's a changes to it. It's a protection for employees that protection for employees that basically work. It's known as basically work. It's known as the Amazon bill, where they the Amazon bill, where they must inform the employees upon must inform the employees upon hiring their quotas. The amount hiring their quotas.

[1:11:09] The amount of speed comparable to auto of speed comparable to auto workers. And with that, I move workers. And with that, I move passage. passage. With the most passage of the With the most passage of the act all wanting to. Second, act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button.

[1:11:21] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you seeing none the act before you seeing none with the clerk? Unlock the with the clerk? Unlock the machine, please. If the clerk machine, please.

[1:11:37] If the clerk would lock the machine, there would lock the machine, there are 34 votes in the affirmative are 34 votes in the affirmative or against. The act passes. or against. The act passes. Item number 26 H 7364. Sub by Item number 26 H 7364. Sub by Representative Shanley. An act Representative Shanley. An act related to Labor and Labor related to Labor and Labor relations. Warehouse Worker relations. Warehouse Worker Protection Act leader.

[1:11:53] Protection Act leader. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. It's a duplicate of the bill we It's a duplicate of the bill we just passed. And with Adamu just passed. And with Adamu passage. passage. He moves passage of the act all He moves passage of the act all wanting to.

[1:12:00] Second, please wanting to. Second, please press your green button. Is press your green button. Is there further discussion on the there further discussion on the act before you seeing none. act before you seeing none.

[1:12:21] Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 35 lock the machine? There are 35 votes in the affirmative. Three votes in the affirmative. Three against the act passes. Excuse against the act passes. Excuse me. Um, item number 27. Senator me. Um, item number 27. Senator Morgan. Morgan. Thank you, Madam President. I'd Thank you, Madam President.

[1:12:40] I'd like to change my vote on like to change my vote on number 25 to a negative.. number 25 to a negative.. Senator Morgan, request to Senator Morgan, request to vote. Uh, change your vote on vote. Uh, change your vote on item number 25 from the item number 25 from the affirmative to a negative.

[1:12:52] It affirmative to a negative. It does not impact the outcome. does not impact the outcome. Hearing no objection. So Hearing no objection. So ordered. We are now on item ordered. We are now on item number 27. S 2647 sub B by number 27. S 2647 sub B by Senator Apollonia.

[1:13:08] An accolade Senator Apollonia. An accolade to health and safety. to health and safety. Commercial kitchen exhaust Commercial kitchen exhaust inspection and cleaning, inspection and cleaning, licensing and certification licensing and certification act. Senator Apollonia. act. Senator Apollonia. Thank you, Madam President. We Thank you, Madam President. We voted in the affirmative.

[1:13:19] We voted in the affirmative. We voted on Senate, passed this voted on Senate, passed this bill a couple of weeks ago. We bill a couple of weeks ago. We sponsored this on behalf of the sponsored this on behalf of the State Fire Marshal's Office, State Fire Marshal's Office, establishes licensing and establishes licensing and framework for the cleaning of

[1:13:28] framework for the cleaning of commercial kitchens in response commercial kitchens in response to recent devastating fires. to recent devastating fires. Move passage. Move passage. Senator Apollonia moves passage Senator Apollonia moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button.

[1:13:43] Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none? Will the clerk you seeing none? Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All unlock the machine, please? All those who wish to vote in the those who wish to vote in the affirmative press the green

[1:13:50] affirmative press the green button. All those oppose the button. All those oppose the red. Senator Pat Solano, could red. Senator Pat Solano, could the clerk lock the machine, the clerk lock the machine, please? There were 37 votes in please? There were 37 votes in the affirmative. One against the affirmative. One against the act passes.

[1:14:05] Item number 28, the act passes. Item number 28, H 7857. Sub A by Representative H 7857. Sub A by Representative Nori and related to health and Nori and related to health and safety. Commercial kitchen safety. Commercial kitchen exhaust system inspection and exhaust system inspection and cleaning. Licensing and cleaning. Licensing and Certification act. Chairman, Certification act. Chairman, flag.

[1:14:21] flag. This is a dupe to the previous This is a dupe to the previous bill and the move passage. bill and the move passage. Chairman Phelan was passage of Chairman Phelan was passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button.

[1:14:31] please press your green button. Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you seeing none? the act before you seeing none? Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37

[1:14:46] lock the machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative, one votes in the affirmative, one against, and the act passes. against, and the act passes. Item number 29. H 8348. Sub a Item number 29. H 8348. Sub a by representative uh by representative uh Representative Malinowski. Representative Malinowski. Maslowski.

[1:15:02] An accolade to Maslowski. An accolade to taxation property subject to taxation property subject to taxation. Raleigh. Uh. I'm taxation. Raleigh. Uh. I'm sorry, Senator. Fee lag. God. sorry, Senator. Fee lag. God. Chairman. Flag moves. Passage Chairman. Flag moves. Passage of the act. All wanted to of the act.

[1:15:20] All wanted to second, please press your green second, please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you? Seeing none, will the you? Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 votes in

[1:15:45] machine? There are 38 votes in the affirmative. Zero against the affirmative. Zero against the act passes. Item number 30. the act passes. Item number 30. S 3155. Sub A by Senator S 3155. Sub A by Senator Thompson. An act related to Thompson. An act related to taxation, property subject to taxation, property subject to taxation. Senator Thompson.

[1:16:01] taxation. Senator Thompson. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This is the previous bill we This is the previous bill we just passed by Representative just passed by Representative Zukofsky. This act would exempt Zukofsky.

[1:16:12] This act would exempt from taxation the property of from taxation the property of the nonprofit Mount Saint Rita the nonprofit Mount Saint Rita Health Center, located in Health Center, located in Cumberland, Rhode Island. The Cumberland, Rhode Island. The exemption would be effective as exemption would be effective as of December 31st, 2025. And I of December 31st, 2025. And I move passage. move passage.

[1:16:22] Senator Thompson moves passage Senator Thompson moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Further discussion on button. Further discussion on the act before you hearing the act before you hearing none.

[1:16:34] Will the clerk unlock the none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 lock the machine? There are 38 votes in the affirmative, zero votes in the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number 31 H 7869.

[1:16:55] Sub A by number 31 H 7869. Sub A by Representative Carter. An act Representative Carter. An act related to motor and other related to motor and other vehicles. Size, weight and load vehicles. Size, weight and load limits. Chairman McKenney. limits. Chairman McKenney. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[1:17:04] Identical to a bill we Identical to a bill we previously passed. Move. previously passed. Move. Passage. Passage. Chairman McKinney moves passage Chairman McKinney moves passage of the act. All wanting to. of the act. All wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Further discussion on button.

[1:17:19] Further discussion on the act before you hearing the act before you hearing none. Will the clerk unlock the none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All members machine, please? All members cast their vote. Please. Will cast their vote. Please.

[1:17:32] Will the clerk lock the machine? the clerk lock the machine? There are 34 votes in the There are 34 votes in the affirmative for against the act affirmative for against the act passes. Item number 32, 8294. passes. Item number 32, 8294. Sub by Representative Speakman Sub by Representative Speakman and Accolade to property. and Accolade to property. Abandoned. Property. Chairman. Abandoned. Property. Chairman. Basilian. Basilian.

[1:17:47] Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. This is a duplicate President. This is a duplicate bill to a bill that we bill to a bill that we previously passed under my previously passed under my name. Move passage. name. Move passage. Chairman Basilio moves passage Chairman Basilio moves passage of the act all wanting to.

[1:17:55] of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none. Will the clerk you seeing none.

[1:18:17] Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? The unlock the machine, please? The clerk could lock the machine. clerk could lock the machine. There are 33 votes in the There are 33 votes in the affirmative. Five against the affirmative. Five against the act passes. Item 33 H 7361. Sub act passes. Item 33 H 7361.

[1:18:31] Sub A by chairman Chile that A by chairman Chile that related to behavioral health related to behavioral health care. Developmental care. Developmental disabilities and hospitals. disabilities and hospitals. Quality Self-directed Support Quality Self-directed Support Act of 2026. Senator Thompson. Act of 2026. Senator Thompson.

[1:18:47] Madam President, this is a bill Madam President, this is a bill that we passed last week that I that we passed last week that I had I move passage. had I move passage. Senator Thompson, was passage Senator Thompson, was passage of the act all wanting to of the act all wanting to second please press your green second please press your green button. Further discussion on button. Further discussion on the seeing. None.

[1:19:06] Will the the seeing. None. Will the clerk unlock the machine, clerk unlock the machine, please? The clerk would lock please? The clerk would lock the machine. There are 35 votes the machine. There are 35 votes in the affirmative. Three in the affirmative. Three against. The act passes. against. The act passes. Chairman Murray. Chairman Murray. Thank.

[1:19:26] Thank. You, Madam President. May I be You, Madam President. May I be recorded in the affirmative on recorded in the affirmative on the consent calendars one and the consent calendars one and two. two.

[1:19:37] Chairman Murray, request to be Chairman Murray, request to be mocked in the affirmative on mocked in the affirmative on consent calendar one and two consent calendar one and two does not impact the outcome. does not impact the outcome. Hearing no objection. So Hearing no objection. So ordered. Chairman. Flagg. ordered. Chairman. Flagg. Madam president, are we taking Madam president, are we taking announcements now? announcements now? Please proceed. Please proceed.

[1:19:48] The Finance Committee will be The Finance Committee will be meeting at the rise in room meeting at the rise in room 211. This is the fourth 30 211. This is the fourth 30 meeting. We have only one bill. meeting. We have only one bill. So obviously your prompt So obviously your prompt attendance is greatly attendance is greatly appreciated.

[1:20:00] And we have appreciated. And we have another meeting scheduled for another meeting scheduled for 745, where we will have ten 745, where we will have ten bills for discussion bills for discussion consideration. Thank you. consideration. Thank you. Are there any other Are there any other announcements or introductions? announcements or introductions? Senator Pearson. Senator Pearson. Thank you. Madam President.

[1:20:25] May Thank you. Madam President. May I be recorded on the consent I be recorded on the consent calendar in the affirmative calendar in the affirmative affirmative consent calendar? affirmative consent calendar? Number one. Number one. Senator Pearson, request to be Senator Pearson, request to be marked in the affirmative on marked in the affirmative on consent calendar.

[1:20:37] One does not consent calendar. One does not impact the outcome. So ordered. impact the outcome. So ordered. Senator Lauria. Senator Lauria. Madam president. Madam president. May I be marked. May I be marked. In the. In the. Affirmative on item. Affirmative on item.

[1:20:49] Number two, please? Number two, please? Senator Loria, request to be Senator Loria, request to be mocked in the affirmative on mocked in the affirmative on item number two does not impact item number two does not impact the outcome. So awarded. the outcome. So awarded. Senator Hoyer. Senator Hoyer.

[1:20:58] Madam President, could I please Madam President, could I please be recorded in the affirmative be recorded in the affirmative on item one, please? on item one, please? Senator Hoyer, request to be Senator Hoyer, request to be mocked in the affirmative on mocked in the affirmative on item number one does not impact item number one does not impact the outcome. Hearing no the outcome. Hearing no objection. So ordered.

[1:21:14] At this objection. So ordered. At this time, the Senate will break time, the Senate will break those on, uh, finance as those on, uh, finance as Chairman Flagg mentioned. Will Chairman Flagg mentioned. Will me all are, um. All members me all are, um.

[1:21:27] All members should have dinner at this should have dinner at this time, and then we will return time, and then we will return to the chamber and have a to the chamber and have a second calendar. At this time, second calendar. At this time, the Senate stands in recess.

[0:28] Chairman DePalma. Thank you. Please lock the machine. There Please lock the machine. There are 37 members in attendance. are 37 members in attendance. We have a quorum. We can go We have a quorum. We can go back. We will now begin with back. We will now begin with calendar number two.

[0:51] First item calendar number two. First item on calendar number two is S on calendar number two is S 2347. Sub A by Chairman Britto. 2347. Sub A by Chairman Britto. And related to motor and other And related to motor and other vehicles. Regulation and vehicles.

[1:04] Regulation and practices among motor vehicle practices among motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors and manufacturers, distributors and dealers. Chairman Britto. dealers. Chairman Britto. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[1:16] Senate Bill 2347 sub a amends Senate Bill 2347 sub a amends the section of renowned general the section of renowned general laws that governs the laws that governs the relationships between Rhode relationships between Rhode Island automobile dealers and Island automobile dealers and the out-of-state auto the out-of-state auto manufacturers. More manufacturers. More specifically, the bill specifically, the bill addresses how warranty repairs addresses how warranty repairs are paid. The bill and the sub are paid.

[1:27] The bill and the sub may change the payment system may change the payment system from estimating books to a from estimating books to a system that actually time spent system that actually time spent during the warranty repairs. during the warranty repairs.

[1:39] This new mechanism of bills This new mechanism of bills will help local auto dealers will help local auto dealers compensate service technicians compensate service technicians at a fair rate and helps at a fair rate and helps manufacturer price their manufacturer price their warranty more accurately and warranty more accurately and more passage. more passage. Chairman moves passage of the Chairman moves passage of the act. I'll want to second, act. I'll want to second, please press your green button. please press your green button.

[1:59] Is there for the discussion on Is there for the discussion on the act before you? Uh, the act before you? Uh, Chairman Bazelon. Chairman Bazelon. Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. President.

[2:06] I just I know this piece of I just I know this piece of legislation was a long time legislation was a long time coming, and I want to coming, and I want to congratulate the the chairman congratulate the the chairman for threading the needle on for threading the needle on this one. So congratulations, this one. So congratulations, chairman. Job well done. chairman. Job well done.

[2:16] Further discussion on the act Further discussion on the act before you. Hearing none. Will before you. Hearing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, the clerk unlock the machine, please? If the clerk will lock please? If the clerk will lock the machine, there are 33 votes the machine, there are 33 votes in the affirmative for against

[2:37] in the affirmative for against the act passes. Item number the act passes. Item number two. House Bill 8213. Sub A by two. House Bill 8213. Sub A by Chairwoman Syrup. And act Chairwoman Syrup. And act relate to motor and other relate to motor and other vehicles. Regulation of vehicles.

[2:47] Regulation of business practices among motor business practices among motor vehicle manufacturers, vehicle manufacturers, distributors and dealers. distributors and dealers. Chairman Brito. Chairman Brito. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. President passage. President passage. Chairman Burton, was passage on Chairman Burton, was passage on the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button.

[3:13] please press your green button. Is there a further discussion Is there a further discussion on the act before you? Seeing on the act before you? Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the none, will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 33

[3:29] lock the machine? There are 33 votes in the affirmative for votes in the affirmative for against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number three S 2780. Sub by number three S 2780. Sub by chairman LaMontagne and related chairman LaMontagne and related to corporations, associations to corporations, associations and partnerships.

[3:41] Uniform and partnerships. Uniform Partnership Act. There Rhode Partnership Act. There Rhode Island Limited Liability Island Limited Liability Company Act. Chairman Company Act. Chairman LaMontagne. LaMontagne. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President.

[3:55] This bill modernizes Rhode This bill modernizes Rhode Island's limited Liability Island's limited Liability Company Act and updates Company Act and updates business laws at thousands of business laws at thousands of Rhode Island businesses rely Rhode Island businesses rely upon every day, provides upon every day, provides clearer rules for forming, clearer rules for forming, operating, merging and managing operating, merging and managing LLCs while maintaining LLCs while maintaining important protections for important protections for consumers and ensuring consumers and ensuring professional firms carry

[4:09] professional firms carry appropriate insurance or appropriate insurance or financial responsibility. This financial responsibility. This is a thoughtful, modernized is a thoughtful, modernized effort that promotes clarity, effort that promotes clarity, predictability, and economic predictability, and economic growth by preserving growth by preserving accountability. It's a great accountability. It's a great bill. I move passage.

[4:21] bill. I move passage. Chairman Martin, was passage of Chairman Martin, was passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press the green button. please press the green button.

[4:33] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you? Seeing and the act before you? Seeing and hearing none. Will the clerk hearing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine? All those unlock the machine? All those who wish to vote in the who wish to vote in the affirmative press the green affirmative press the green button.

[4:38] All those opposed the button. All those opposed the red for all members would cast red for all members would cast their vote. Please. The clerk their vote. Please. The clerk will lock the machine. There will lock the machine. There are 36 votes in the are 36 votes in the affirmative.

[4:47] One against the affirmative. One against the act passes. Item number four is act passes. Item number four is 3224. Sub by Senator Valverde. 3224. Sub by Senator Valverde. An act related to state affairs An act related to state affairs and government. Quantity and government. Quantity development Corporation. development Corporation. Senator Valverde. Senator Valverde. Thank you, Madam President.

[5:01] As Thank you, Madam President. As my colleague, Senator De Mario my colleague, Senator De Mario talked about during her bill talked about during her bill introduction about the Sewage introduction about the Sewage Sludge Study Commission last Sludge Study Commission last night. North Kingstown night.

[5:13] North Kingstown officials and residents were officials and residents were surprised to learn back in surprised to learn back in March that Quonset Development March that Quonset Development Corporation had given the green Corporation had given the green light for the construction of a light for the construction of a sewage sludge pyrolysis plant sewage sludge pyrolysis plant to be sited in the West to be sited in the West Davisville portion of Quonset.

[5:26] Davisville portion of Quonset. This is an area surrounded by This is an area surrounded by homes and schools, and it is homes and schools, and it is situated over our sole source situated over our sole source aquifer. People were and are aquifer.

[5:37] People were and are still rightly alarmed about the still rightly alarmed about the impact this would have on the impact this would have on the health and safety of North health and safety of North Kingstown residents and our Kingstown residents and our environment. And even though environment.

[5:46] And even though this would be a significant this would be a significant waste facility, there was no waste facility, there was no public process to evaluate the public process to evaluate the need for such a facility, nor need for such a facility, nor what the risk to the community what the risk to the community were. As we heard from our were.

[5:56] As we heard from our colleagues from Woonsocket last colleagues from Woonsocket last night, Senator Murray and night, Senator Murray and Senator Thompson and Senator Senator Thompson and Senator Mack from Providence, these Mack from Providence, these facilities can have a facilities can have a significant negative impact. It significant negative impact.

[6:07] It is critical that they are well is critical that they are well understood and there is understood and there is community buy in. They should community buy in. They should not be built without robust not be built without robust public scrutiny. This bill puts public scrutiny. This bill puts a year long pause on the siting a year long pause on the siting of such a facility in Quonset.

[6:18] of such a facility in Quonset. While the Sewage Commission While the Sewage Commission does its work, it is an does its work, it is an important safeguard for our important safeguard for our community. I would like to community.

[6:28] I would like to thank Senator DeMarco and thank Senator DeMarco and Senator Hoyer for their Senator Hoyer for their partnership on this partnership on this legislation, as well as members legislation, as well as members of the North. The other members of the North. The other members of the North Kingstown of the North Kingstown legislative delegation in the legislative delegation in the House.

[6:38] I would also like to House. I would also like to thank the North Kingstown Town thank the North Kingstown Town Council and the town manager Council and the town manager from North Kingstown, Ralph from North Kingstown, Ralph Mollis, for for all of their Mollis, for for all of their work on this bill as well.

[6:49] And work on this bill as well. And of course, the dedicated of course, the dedicated residents who discovered this residents who discovered this plan raised the alarm and have plan raised the alarm and have been talking nonstop about it been talking nonstop about it to get us to this point today.

[6:58] to get us to this point today. Um, we got answers. We're going Um, we got answers. We're going to get answers. And Ccdc has to get answers. And Ccdc has agreed to put the project on agreed to put the project on hold while the commission does hold while the commission does its work.

[7:09] But this bill gives its work. But this bill gives that promise, the legal force that promise, the legal force that our residents want and that our residents want and deserve. So it's a great bill. deserve. So it's a great bill. I move passage. I move passage. Senator Valverde moves passage Senator Valverde moves passage of the act all wanting to.

[7:21] of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. For further discussion button. For further discussion on the act before you seeing on the act before you seeing none, will the clerk unlock the none, will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will all

[7:38] machine, please? Will all members cast their vote? Please? members cast their vote? Please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 28 in the machine? There are 28 in the affirmative. Nine against the affirmative. Nine against the act passes.

[7:56] Item number five, S act passes. Item number five, S 2649. Sub A by Senator MIT. 2649. Sub A by Senator MIT. Enact related to education. Enact related to education. Residents of children for Residents of children for school purposes in district. school purposes in district. Access to open public school Access to open public school seats. Senator. Family. Yeti.

[8:08] seats. Senator. Family. Yeti. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This bill would allow students This bill would allow students who are within districts that who are within districts that have the ability or the option have the ability or the option of alternative schools within of alternative schools within the district to transfer to

[8:22] the district to transfer to different public schools so different public schools so long as there is a seat in a long as there is a seat in a procedure available for them to procedure available for them to do so. This allows for greater do so.

[8:30] This allows for greater flexibility for parents who are flexibility for parents who are trying to coordinate after trying to coordinate after school care before care for school care before care for their children, and again their children, and again allows access to um, uh, allows access to um, uh, alternative options that may be alternative options that may be stronger for each individual

[8:41] stronger for each individual student if such seats are student if such seats are available. This doesn't have available. This doesn't have any impact. Um, on any impact. Um, on transportation costs. That will transportation costs. That will be the responsibility of the be the responsibility of the moving student.

[8:51] It's a good moving student. It's a good bill. I move passage, Senator. bill. I move passage, Senator. Family moves. Passage of the Family moves. Passage of the act all wanting to. Second, act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button.

[9:04] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you seeing none. the act before you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All those who machine, please? All those who wish to vote in the wish to vote in the affirmative, press the green affirmative, press the green button.

[9:13] All those opposed the button. All those opposed the red. Senator Valverde, Lita red. Senator Valverde, Lita dela Cruz, will the clerk lock dela Cruz, will the clerk lock the machine, please? There are the machine, please? There are 36 votes in the affirmative. 36 votes in the affirmative. Zero against the act passes. Zero against the act passes. Item number seven, S 3353.

[9:29] Item number seven, S 3353. Chairman DePalma. Oh, I'm Chairman DePalma. Oh, I'm sorry. Item number six, S 3180. sorry. Item number six, S 3180. Senator Thompson, an act Senator Thompson, an act related to businesses and related to businesses and professions. Veterinary professions. Veterinary practice. Senator Thompson. practice. Senator Thompson.

[9:44] Not everybody laugh all at once Not everybody laugh all at once here. Uh, Senate Bill 3180 is a here. Uh, Senate Bill 3180 is a step forward for veterinary step forward for veterinary care in Rhode Island. It allows care in Rhode Island.

[9:55] It allows veterinarians to establish a veterinarians to establish a veterinary client patient veterinary client patient relationship through real time relationship through real time telemedicine, making it easier telemedicine, making it easier for families to access care for for families to access care for their pets, especially for their pets, especially for seniors and those with seniors and those with disabilities in busy families. disabilities in busy families.

[10:04] This bill doesn't replace This bill doesn't replace in-person visits, but offers an in-person visits, but offers an additional option that aligns additional option that aligns with veterinary practices. With with veterinary practices. With modern health care trends. And modern health care trends. And with that, Madam President, I with that, Madam President, I move passage. move passage.

[10:15] Senator Thompson moves passage Senator Thompson moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you, Lita Dela Cruz? you, Lita Dela Cruz? All right.

[10:30] All right. Thank you, Madam President. Um, Thank you, Madam President. Um, I have a question for the I have a question for the sponsor. If he would yield. sponsor. If he would yield. Will the sponsor yield? Will the sponsor yield? No. Go ahead, go ahead. No. Go ahead, go ahead. The sponsor will. Yield.

[10:45] Please The sponsor will. Yield. Please proceed. proceed. Leader. Thank you, Madam Leader. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, Senator, does President. Uh, Senator, does this legislation promote out of this legislation promote out of state corporate veterinarians state corporate veterinarians over Rhode Island? over Rhode Island? Veterinarians? Veterinarians? Veterinarians know you have.

[10:54] Veterinarians know you have. Well, you have to have a Rhode Well, you have to have a Rhode Island license to do Island license to do telemedicine. telemedicine. Okay. That's good to know. Okay. That's good to know. Thank you. Thank you.

[11:01] That was I didn't want to hold That was I didn't want to hold everybody up on the everybody up on the introduction. It is on my introduction. It is on my introduction, but I wanted to introduction, but I wanted to move the calendar along. move the calendar along. Okay. It's good to know. I, um, Okay. It's good to know.

[11:10] I, um, I didn't see that in there, I didn't see that in there, but, um, although that is a but, um, although that is a positive, uh, concerning this positive, uh, concerning this piece of legislation, I don't I piece of legislation, I don't I won't be supporting the won't be supporting the legislation because there are legislation because there are several concerns that were

[11:21] several concerns that were raised in the hearing on the raised in the hearing on the legislation by the Rhode Island legislation by the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Medical Association about the veteran veterinarian about the veteran veterinarian client patient relationship. On client patient relationship. On page two, line 1 to 4.

[11:33] Uh, it's page two, line 1 to 4. Uh, it's concerning that a vet to use concerning that a vet to use telehealth care for an animal telehealth care for an animal doesn't actually have to see doesn't actually have to see the dog or cat first.

[11:41] So it's the dog or cat first. So it's not like when a human goes to a not like when a human goes to a doctor and they can, um, doctor and they can, um, establish a patient doctor. Um, establish a patient doctor. Um, relationship. Conceivably, this relationship.

[11:55] Conceivably, this vet may have never even have vet may have never even have seen this pet in person. Um, seen this pet in person. Um, and I think that's important to and I think that's important to at least have a baseline of the at least have a baseline of the pet's ailments. Um, this bill pet's ailments.

[12:10] Um, this bill would also negatively impact would also negatively impact local brick and mortar local brick and mortar veterinarian practices, which veterinarian practices, which could lead to an exodus of vets could lead to an exodus of vets out of this state. Um, I would out of this state.

[12:17] Um, I would ask you to consider the job ask you to consider the job losses, the income tax revenue, losses, the income tax revenue, as well as the loss of as well as the loss of community benefit that will community benefit that will result if this bill becomes result if this bill becomes law.

[12:25] Um, but what's even more law. Um, but what's even more concerning is the safety of concerning is the safety of these pets, because they're not these pets, because they're not just animals. They're like just animals. They're like family. They are family. Uh, family. They are family.

[12:35] Uh, telehealth is great for humans, telehealth is great for humans, but with animals there, humans but with animals there, humans might not know what to point might not know what to point out when something is wrong. out when something is wrong.

[12:43] Since you can't ask the cat, Since you can't ask the cat, you know, like meow twice if you know, like meow twice if your leg hurts or something, your leg hurts or something, you know? But anyways, um, I you know? But anyways, um, I would, uh, urge you to vote now. would, uh, urge you to vote now. Chairwoman Mari. Thank you, Madam President. Madam President.

[12:58] I've never asked my cat to meow I've never asked my cat to meow once or twice, but I'm pretty once or twice, but I'm pretty sure that, um, having been in sure that, um, having been in the rescue, um. Or been in the the rescue, um.

[13:10] Or been in the rescue organizations for 25 rescue organizations for 25 plus years, I have seen the plus years, I have seen the number one reason that people number one reason that people sometimes give up their pets is sometimes give up their pets is because they can't afford the because they can't afford the veterinary care, and or they veterinary care, and or they think that because their animal think that because their animal has a problem that, you know,

[13:18] has a problem that, you know, instead of bringing them to the instead of bringing them to the vet, then, you know, they'll vet, then, you know, they'll just give them over to animal just give them over to animal control or whatever. What this control or whatever.

[13:25] What this bill does it, it allows access bill does it, it allows access for seniors, um, for folks who for seniors, um, for folks who may not have adequate may not have adequate transportation. And for people transportation.

[13:35] And for people who truly care about their pets who truly care about their pets to have access to that care, to have access to that care, instead of having to make the instead of having to make the heart wrenching decision on heart wrenching decision on having to give those animals having to give those animals up. So I think this is a great up.

[13:44] So I think this is a great bill, and I strongly urge my bill, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support it. colleagues to support it. We have to coin. We have to coin. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. With the sponsor, yield to a With the sponsor, yield to a question. question. Will the sponsor yield once Will the sponsor yield once again? again? Yes. Yes. Please proceed.

[13:59] Please proceed. Senator Lida dela Cruz brought Senator Lida dela Cruz brought up a good point there about the up a good point there about the the animal. Um, you know, the animal.

[14:12] Um, you know, speaking with the doctor and speaking with the doctor and I'm just curious, does the I'm just curious, does the doctor patient confidentiality doctor patient confidentiality clause with this particular clause with this particular exchange is that apply in this exchange is that apply in this situation? situation? Absolutely. Absolutely. Okay. That's that's good to Okay. That's that's good to know okay. know okay. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Morgan. Senator Morgan. Thank you, Madam President.

[14:37] Um, Thank you, Madam President. Um, I think this is a great idea, I think this is a great idea, and I wish I had spoke during and I wish I had spoke during the committee hearing, but, um, the committee hearing, but, um, my colleague did bring up two my colleague did bring up two valid points, at least, that

[14:48] valid points, at least, that the the veterinary, the the the veterinary, the veterinarian sees that pet, the veterinarian sees that pet, the initial initial visit to initial initial visit to establish that um, and then um. establish that um, and then um. Yeah. I think it's going to Yeah. I think it's going to hurt our veterinary.

[15:04] We've hurt our veterinary. We've already chased we're chasing already chased we're chasing doctors out of Rhode Island. doctors out of Rhode Island. We're trying to bring them We're trying to bring them back, but they're not coming. back, but they're not coming.

[15:14] Um, we're going to be have an Um, we're going to be have an exodus of veterinary people and exodus of veterinary people and that that kind of. Scuse me. that that kind of. Scuse me. Thanks. Thanks.

[15:23] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you, Alida dela the act before you, Alida dela Cruz? Cruz? Just lastly, um, I was just Just lastly, um, I was just doing a quick look at the bill, doing a quick look at the bill, and although it does say and although it does say licensed, it's not licensed, licensed, it's not licensed, does not have to be licensed in

[15:32] does not have to be licensed in Rhode Island. Um, they could be Rhode Island. Um, they could be licensed in another state. Um, licensed in another state. Um, did I say that right? What did did I say that right? What did I say? Yeah, yeah, licensed I say? Yeah, yeah, licensed here, but not located here.

[15:44] here, but not located here. Excuse me. Thank you for Excuse me. Thank you for catching that. Uh, and so, I catching that. Uh, and so, I mean, um, it could be that mean, um, it could be that there's this big conglomerate there's this big conglomerate company out, I don't know, in

[15:54] company out, I don't know, in the Midwest or something. the Midwest or something. That's just seeing pets via That's just seeing pets via telehealth. I just feel like, telehealth.

[16:05] I just feel like, again, you should establish a again, you should establish a patient doctor relationship and patient doctor relationship and keep that confidentiality keep that confidentiality between the patient and the between the patient and the doctor. Thank you. doctor. Thank you. Further discussion on the act Further discussion on the act before you seeing none. Will before you seeing none.

[16:21] Will the clerk unlock the machine, the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 30 votes in machine? There are 30 votes in the affirmative, six in the the affirmative, six in the negative. The act passes. Item negative. The act passes. Item number seven is 3353 by number seven is 3353 by Chairman DePalma. Joint Chairman DePalma.

[16:35] Joint resolution make an resolution make an appropriation to pay certain appropriation to pay certain claims. Chairman DePalma. claims. Chairman DePalma. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Members of the Senate. This is Members of the Senate. This is the annual making of the annual making of appropriations to pay certain appropriations to pay certain claims.

[16:44] And with that, I move claims. And with that, I move passage. passage. Chairman DePalma moves passage Chairman DePalma moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button.

[16:56] Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none. Will the clerk you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All unlock the machine, please? All those who wish to vote in the those who wish to vote in the affirmative press the green affirmative press the green button.

[17:02] All those who are button. All those who are opposed the red for all members opposed the red for all members would cast the vote. Please. If would cast the vote. Please. If the clerk would lock the the clerk would lock the machine. There are 36 votes in machine.

[17:17] There are 36 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item number the act passes. Item number eight S 3367. Sub A by chairman eight S 3367. Sub A by chairman DePalma and accolade to DePalma and accolade to taxation. Personal income tax. taxation. Personal income tax. Chairman DePalma. Chairman DePalma. Thank you, Madam President.

[17:40] Thank you, Madam President. This bill very simple will This bill very simple will align the regulations and align the regulations and instructions as it relates to instructions as it relates to information that the source for information that the source for the division of taxation to the division of taxation to align itself with the US code.

[17:52] align itself with the US code. And with that I move passage. And with that I move passage. Chairman DePalma, was passage Chairman DePalma, was passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second please press your green Second please press your green button.

[18:02] Is the further button. Is the further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none? Will the clerk you seeing none? Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? If unlock the machine, please? If all members could cast their all members could cast their vote, please will the clerk

[18:14] vote, please will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 lock the machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative. votes in the affirmative. They're against the act passes. They're against the act passes. Item number nine. I will be Item number nine. I will be recusing. recusing.

[18:46] Before we move on to item Before we move on to item number nine, I will now revert number nine, I will now revert to committee reports. The clerk to committee reports. The clerk will please read. will please read.

[19:00] From Senate Finance to the From Senate Finance to the calendar for Thursday, June calendar for Thursday, June 11th, Senate Bill 2678, an act 11th, Senate Bill 2678, an act relating to education, teachers relating to education, teachers retirement. retirement. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Now on Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Now on item number nine, Senate Bill item number nine, Senate Bill 3368 by President Gallo. A 3368 by President Gallo.

[19:19] A joint resolution creating a joint resolution creating a special joint legislative special joint legislative commission, the study of Rhode commission, the study of Rhode Island education funding Island education funding formula and education finance formula and education finance system. Madam president, please system. Madam president, please proceed. proceed. Thank you, Mr. President. This Thank you, Mr. President.

[19:31] This joint resolution would create a joint resolution would create a special joint legislative special joint legislative commission to make commission to make comprehensive make a comprehensive make a comprehensive study of Rhode comprehensive study of Rhode Island's education funding, Island's education funding, formula and education finance formula and education finance system. This commission would system.

[19:42] This commission would submit a final report of its submit a final report of its finding no later than September finding no later than September 1st, 2027, and would expire on 1st, 2027, and would expire on December 1st, 2027, and at the December 1st, 2027, and at the proper time. I have an proper time. I have an amendment. amendment. Thank you.

[19:55] Senator moves Thank you. Senator moves passage on the motion. All passage on the motion. All those one in the second. Please those one in the second. Please press your green button. The press your green button.

[20:05] The clerk will please lock the clerk will please lock the machine that's been moved and machine that's been moved and seconded. Do you want to offer seconded. Do you want to offer your amendment now? As well? your amendment now? As well? Okay. I would like to propose Okay. I would like to propose the amendment LC zero 065882. the amendment LC zero 065882.

[20:27] And while everybody's pulling And while everybody's pulling it up, um, basically what it it up, um, basically what it does is it changes it from 15 does is it changes it from 15 to 16 people on the committee. to 16 people on the committee.

[20:43] And what it does is it And what it does is it includes, um, you insert the includes, um, you insert the language, the Rhode Island language, the Rhode Island Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, Institute at Brown University, Blue Ribbon Commission members Blue Ribbon Commission members and I would move passage. and I would move passage.

[21:00] Senator Gallo offers floor Senator Gallo offers floor amendment LC 0065882 and moves amendment LC 0065882 and moves passage all those one on the passage all those one on the second. Please press your green second. Please press your green button. The amendments been button. The amendments been moved and seconded. Any moved and seconded. Any discussion on the amendment discussion on the amendment hearing and seeing none.

[21:11] Will hearing and seeing none. Will the clerk please unlock the the clerk please unlock the machine? All those in favor, machine? All those in favor, press screen. All those press screen. All those opposed, please press red. opposed, please press red. Clerk, will please lock the Clerk, will please lock the machine.

[21:24] The move motion to machine. The move motion to amend has been moved and amend has been moved and seconded. And 36 in favor. None seconded. And 36 in favor. None against the amendment. Passes. against the amendment. Passes. Senator, please proceed. Senator, please proceed. I'd like to move the measure as I'd like to move the measure as amended.

[21:36] amended. Has been moved, as amended. Oh, Has been moved, as amended. Oh, those liking the second. Please those liking the second. Please press the green button. The press the green button. The clerk will please lock the clerk will please lock the machine that's been moved in a machine that's been moved in a second.

[21:46] And any discussion on second. And any discussion on the act, as amended. Hearing the act, as amended. Hearing and seeing none of the clerk. and seeing none of the clerk. Please unlock the machine. All Please unlock the machine. All those in favor, please vote those in favor, please vote green. All those opposed. Read.

[21:59] green. All those opposed. Read. All members have had the All members have had the opportunity to vote. The clerk opportunity to vote. The clerk will please lock the machine. will please lock the machine. 36 in the affirmative. None 36 in the affirmative. None against the act as amended.

[22:07] against the act as amended. Passes now going to item number Passes now going to item number ten. ten. Thank you, madam. Thank you, madam. Item number ten S 2032 by Item number ten S 2032 by Senator Azaria and related to Senator Azaria and related to Insurance Act. Accident and Insurance Act. Accident and sickness insurance policies.

[22:28] sickness insurance policies. Senator Zora. Senator Zora. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This bill would eliminate This bill would eliminate insurance co-pays for medically insurance co-pays for medically prescribed diagnostic and prescribed diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging. supplemental breast imaging. I'd like to start by thanking I'd like to start by thanking the HHS committee.

[22:59] They've been the HHS committee. They've been listening to passionate listening to passionate testimony for the past three testimony for the past three years on this, and they've paid years on this, and they've paid close attention. I'd also like close attention.

[23:04] I'd also like to thank Chair Murray, who's to thank Chair Murray, who's been pushing for this bill been pushing for this bill throughout those three years. throughout those three years. Then I'd like to thank the whip Then I'd like to thank the whip and the majority leader who and the majority leader who took it upon themselves to push took it upon themselves to push extra hard for this bill.

[23:07] And extra hard for this bill. And finally, the Senate President finally, the Senate President for, uh, having it move to the for, uh, having it move to the floor so we can consider it floor so we can consider it tonight. Um, this past Sunday tonight.

[23:17] Um, this past Sunday was National Cancer Awareness was National Cancer Awareness Day. Um, and as part of that Day. Um, and as part of that recognition, the American recognition, the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Cancer Society, the Susan G.

[23:49] Komen, uh, Foundation had an Komen, uh, Foundation had an event here in the state House event here in the state House last Thursday to talk about the last Thursday to talk about the horrors of breast cancer in horrors of breast cancer in Rhode Island. Uh, around 1160 Rhode Island. Uh, around 1160 Rhode Islanders receive a Rhode Islanders receive a diagnosis of breast cancer diagnosis of breast cancer every year.

[23:53] And last year, um, every year. And last year, um, 120 Rhode Islanders passed away 120 Rhode Islanders passed away from this horrible disease. Um, from this horrible disease. Um, there's probably someone all of there's probably someone all of us know who has suffered from us know who has suffered from breast cancer.

[23:58] It's something breast cancer. It's something that's personal to many, if not that's personal to many, if not all of us there. Um, uh, breast all of us there. Um, uh, breast cancer imaging is very cancer imaging is very important. Uh, the important.

[24:14] Uh, the out-of-pocket costs can can out-of-pocket costs can can range from $200 for an X-ray to range from $200 for an X-ray to over $1,100 for an MRI. There over $1,100 for an MRI. There was a survey by radiology was a survey by radiology magazine that found that cost magazine that found that cost sharing or co-payment sharing or co-payment requirements could affect requirements could affect decisions for 20% of adults who

[24:30] decisions for 20% of adults who have this diagnosis. So if you have this diagnosis. So if you do the math, you take the 1100 do the math, you take the 1100 people who are diagnosed, you people who are diagnosed, you take the 20%, um, these co-pays take the 20%, um, these co-pays could affect over 200 Rhode

[24:42] could affect over 200 Rhode Islanders every year. Um, Islanders every year. Um, delayed imaging, of course, can delayed imaging, of course, can result in later stage diagnosis result in later stage diagnosis later on. Um, the the later on.

[24:59] Um, the the proponents also looked at how proponents also looked at how this impacted insurance rates this impacted insurance rates in 19 other states. They in 19 other states. They determined that actually there determined that actually there was no impact on insurance was no impact on insurance rates. And one state, Maryland, rates. And one state, Maryland, did. Uh, what we've learned in did. Uh, what we've learned in finance is dynamic analysis.

[25:12] finance is dynamic analysis. And Maryland actually concluded And Maryland actually concluded that if more people got the that if more people got the imaging earlier on, that there imaging earlier on, that there would be a savings in costs and would be a savings in costs and reduction in insurance rates.

[25:24] reduction in insurance rates. Um, this is a popular measure. Um, this is a popular measure. Nationally. There are 32 states Nationally. There are 32 states who have adopted, um, this um, who have adopted, um, this um, requirement that there be no requirement that there be no charges for breast cancer charges for breast cancer imaging, including every other

[25:37] imaging, including every other state in New England. Um, we in state in New England. Um, we in the Senate, uh, we're familiar the Senate, uh, we're familiar with the ravages of cancer over with the ravages of cancer over a period of three years. It a period of three years.

[25:48] It cost us three members of our cost us three members of our own family, and many of us, own family, and many of us, myself included, have had myself included, have had personal experience with this personal experience with this terrible disease. For these terrible disease. For these reasons, I move passage of the reasons, I move passage of the bill.

[26:01] bill. Senate. Sarah moves passage of Senate. Sarah moves passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button. Senator. Senator. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President.

[26:17] I just couldn't not sit here and just couldn't not sit here and not say something. Thank you, not say something. Thank you, Senator, or for putting this Senator, or for putting this bill in. Um, many of you may bill in.

[26:26] Um, many of you may not know, but I lost my mom to not know, but I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was nine. breast cancer when I was nine. Um, so this is something that's Um, so this is something that's very personal to me, and I very personal to me, and I appreciate you putting this in.

[26:35] appreciate you putting this in. And I just wanted to take a And I just wanted to take a moment just to remember her and moment just to remember her and recognize Sandra. Family. Edie, recognize Sandra. Family. Edie, my mother. And again, thank my mother. And again, thank you, Senator. you, Senator. Senator. Gloria.

[26:47] Senator. Gloria. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This is an important bill, and This is an important bill, and I just want to rise a second. I I just want to rise a second.

[26:55] I just also want to say on the just also want to say on the other side, um, I have never, other side, um, I have never, ever had to fight for payment ever had to fight for payment for a diagnostic PSA. If a man for a diagnostic PSA. If a man has an abnormal PSA, he gets has an abnormal PSA, he gets that diagnostic PSA paid for. that diagnostic PSA paid for. Thank you.

[27:04] And thank you for Thank you. And thank you for the bill.. the bill.. Further discussion on the act Further discussion on the act before you seeing none, will before you seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine? the clerk unlock the machine? All those who used to wish to All those who used to wish to vote in the affirmative press

[27:14] vote in the affirmative press the green button. All those the green button. All those opposed the red. Would all opposed the red. Would all members cast their vote? Please? members cast their vote? Please? Senator Zora. If the clerk will Senator Zora.

[27:27] If the clerk will lock the machine, there are 38 lock the machine, there are 38 votes in the affirmative, zero votes in the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number 11 is 2866 by Senator number 11 is 2866 by Senator Valverde. An act related to Valverde. An act related to businesses and professions. businesses and professions.

[27:39] Collaborative pharmacy Collaborative pharmacy practice. Senator Valverde. practice. Senator Valverde. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Pharmacists have been working Pharmacists have been working under collaborative practice under collaborative practice agreements alongside physicians agreements alongside physicians and advanced practitioners in and advanced practitioners in Rhode Island for nearly 20 Rhode Island for nearly 20 years.

[27:51] Collaborative practice years. Collaborative practice agreements help improve patient agreements help improve patient care by allowing a prescriber care by allowing a prescriber to delegate services and to delegate services and management of both acute and management of both acute and chronic diseases to a chronic diseases to a pharmacist. This entails pharmacist.

[28:01] This entails medication management, medication management, ordering, labs, and education. ordering, labs, and education. Recently, there have been Recently, there have been delays in the approval of delays in the approval of agreements which can impact agreements which can impact patient care. Delays have been patient care.

[28:14] Delays have been due to the long administrative due to the long administrative approval process, which approval process, which requires both the boards of requires both the boards of pharmacy and medicine to review pharmacy and medicine to review and approve these agreements. and approve these agreements. In some cases, this has taken In some cases, this has taken months to gain approval or even months to gain approval or even feedback.

[28:24] This process is out feedback. This process is out of date and not in line with of date and not in line with how other states operate and how other states operate and deliver high quality care. This deliver high quality care.

[28:32] This delay can be detrimental to delay can be detrimental to patient care, especially when patient care, especially when our state is experiencing a our state is experiencing a lack of primary care providers lack of primary care providers who depend on pharmacists to who depend on pharmacists to help manage their patients with help manage their patients with conditions such as diabetes, conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and COPD.

[28:43] This heart failure and COPD. This legislation will amend current legislation will amend current statute by revising the statute by revising the language that states that language that states that allows both nurse practitioners allows both nurse practitioners and physicians that they can and physicians that they can enter in such a into such an

[28:53] enter in such a into such an agreement with a pharmacist. It agreement with a pharmacist. It also removes approval from the also removes approval from the Board of Pharmacy and Medicine, Board of Pharmacy and Medicine, and will keep the agreement in and will keep the agreement in the hands of the parties who

[29:02] the hands of the parties who sign the agreement, which is sign the agreement, which is common in almost every other common in almost every other state. And it also has the state.

[29:10] And it also has the added benefit of removing some added benefit of removing some administrative burden that has administrative burden that has been placed on the Department been placed on the Department of Health. I move passage. of Health. I move passage. Senator Valverde moves passage Senator Valverde moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please push your green Second, please push your green button.

[29:30] Further discussion on button. Further discussion on the act before you seeing none, the act before you seeing none, will the clerk unlock the will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 lock the machine? There are 38 votes in the affirmative. Zera.

[29:43] votes in the affirmative. Zera. Gantz. And the act passes. Item Gantz. And the act passes. Item number 123259. Sub by number 123259. Sub by Chairwoman Marion. Related to Chairwoman Marion. Related to food and drugs. Uniform food and drugs. Uniform Controlled Substances Act Controlled Substances Act chairwoman Murray. chairwoman Murray. Thank you, Madam President.

[29:56] Thank you, Madam President. This bill was submitted at the This bill was submitted at the request of Doe. What it does is request of Doe. What it does is it updates the provisions of it updates the provisions of the state's Uniform Controlled the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act to be consistent

[30:06] Substances Act to be consistent with federal CDC clinical with federal CDC clinical guidelines for prescribing guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic and acute opioids for chronic and acute treatment of pain. It sets a treatment of pain.

[30:15] It sets a seven day limit on initial seven day limit on initial opioid prescription for acute opioid prescription for acute pain. It limits the initiation pain. It limits the initiation of opioid therapy for acute of opioid therapy for acute pain only when non opioid pain only when non opioid options do not work for the options do not work for the patient, and it has patient, and it has requirements for health care

[30:24] requirements for health care providers to discuss the risk providers to discuss the risk with the patient and guardian, with the patient and guardian, and offer naloxone for any and offer naloxone for any opioid prescription for any opioid prescription for any patient under the age of 18. patient under the age of 18. And I move passage..

[30:33] And I move passage.. Chairwoman Marion, was passage Chairwoman Marion, was passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Further discussion on button. Further discussion on the act before you seeing none. the act before you seeing none.

[30:49] Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All those who machine, please? All those who wish to vote in the wish to vote in the affirmative, press the green affirmative, press the green button. All those opposed the button. All those opposed the red.

[30:56] The clerk will lock the red. The clerk will lock the machine. There are 38 votes in machine. There are 38 votes in the affirmative. Zero against the affirmative. Zero against the act passes. Item number 13. the act passes. Item number 13. S 2867. Sub A by Chairwoman S 2867. Sub A by Chairwoman Murray.

[31:08] An act related to Murray. An act related to businesses and professions. businesses and professions. Chairwoman Ma. Chairwoman Ma. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This bill was submitted at the This bill was submitted at the request of Bhd. It amends the request of Bhd.

[31:19] It amends the Rhode Island confidentiality of Rhode Island confidentiality of health care, Communications and health care, Communications and Information Act to enable Information Act to enable health care providers to report health care providers to report allegations of abuse, neglect, allegations of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, violation of mistreatment, violation of rights, exploitation or death rights, exploitation or death to be. And I move passage. to be. And I move passage.

[31:33] Chairwoman Maria moves passage Chairwoman Maria moves passage of the act. I wanted to second of the act. I wanted to second please press your green button. please press your green button. Further discussion on the act Further discussion on the act before you seeing none. Will before you seeing none.

[31:44] Will the clerk unlock the machine, the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 members machine? There are 38 members in the affirmative. Zero in the affirmative. Zero against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number 14. S 2039.

[32:01] Sub A by number 14. S 2039. Sub A by Senator Coleman. Act related Senator Coleman. Act related taxation. Property subject to taxation. Property subject to taxation. taxation. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This bill is a tax exemption This bill is a tax exemption bill for AS2 20 in Providence.

[32:13] bill for AS2 20 in Providence. They do really wonderful They do really wonderful community based art and theater community based art and theater and performance work. So I move and performance work. So I move the bill and at the appropriate the bill and at the appropriate time I have a floor amendment.

[32:24] time I have a floor amendment. Senator Coleman, was passage of Senator Coleman, was passage of the act. All those wanting to the act. All those wanting to second, please press the green second, please press the green button. Senator Coleman. button. Senator Coleman. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President. I move LC003800/3.

[32:42] move LC003800/3. Senator Coleman, office LC Senator Coleman, office LC 003800. Three. Senator Coleman. 003800. Three. Senator Coleman. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This just changes the effective This just changes the effective date. date. Senator Coleman moves, passes Senator Coleman moves, passes LC0038003 and moves passage all LC0038003 and moves passage all wanting to.

[33:03] Second, please wanting to. Second, please press the green button. Is press the green button. Is there a discussion on the there a discussion on the amendment? Seeing none, will amendment? Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, the clerk unlock the machine, please? All those in favor, please? All those in favor, press the green button.

[33:17] All press the green button. All those opposed, press the red those opposed, press the red button. If the clerk will lock button. If the clerk will lock the machine, there are 37 votes the machine, there are 37 votes in the affirmative. There are in the affirmative. There are against the amendment passes. against the amendment passes. Senator Coleman.

[33:31] Senator Coleman. Move the act as amended, Move the act as amended, please. please. Senator Coleman moves the act Senator Coleman moves the act as amended. All those wishing as amended. All those wishing to. Second, please press the to. Second, please press the green button. Is there further green button.

[33:44] Is there further discussion on the act, as discussion on the act, as amended? Seeing none, will the amended? Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 votes in machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative. Is there the affirmative.

[34:01] Is there against the act? Passes as against the act? Passes as amended. Item number 15. Enact amended. Item number 15. Enact related to health and safety related to health and safety building, Benchmarking and building, Benchmarking and Reporting Act of 2026, which is Reporting Act of 2026, which is s 2260. Senator Coleman. s 2260. Senator Coleman. Thank you, Madam President.

[34:15] Um, Thank you, Madam President. Um, two years ago, this chamber two years ago, this chamber passed what was then called the passed what was then called the Building Decarbonization Act. Building Decarbonization Act. Got stuck in the house. Um, Got stuck in the house.

[34:23] Um, we've since been working on we've since been working on that bill. Uh, a great deal, that bill. Uh, a great deal, actually, and we have pulled it actually, and we have pulled it apart into two pieces. So what apart into two pieces.

[34:30] So what this bill does is the much more this bill does is the much more modest portion of of what was modest portion of of what was done two years ago, and it done two years ago, and it simply has the president said, simply has the president said, establishes a program of establishes a program of benchmarking.

[34:38] This is part of benchmarking. This is part of our goals, our act on climate our goals, our act on climate goals. It permits us to measure goals. It permits us to measure the energy usage of large the energy usage of large buildings in the state. Two buildings in the state.

[34:45] Two things that I would like to things that I would like to note about this one. Providence note about this one. Providence already does this and has been already does this and has been doing it for about five years. doing it for about five years. They developed a very nifty and They developed a very nifty and very free tool.

[34:54] And also, very free tool. And also, Providence is home to more than Providence is home to more than 40% of the large buildings in 40% of the large buildings in the state. So this is already the state. So this is already effectively being done. So this effectively being done.

[35:02] So this is an exciting moment and I am is an exciting moment and I am pleased to move passage. I'd pleased to move passage. I'd like to thank the Environmental like to thank the Environmental Council of Rhode Island, among Council of Rhode Island, among other groups, as well as my other groups, as well as my colleagues and the chairman of

[35:09] colleagues and the chairman of the Housing and Municipal the Housing and Municipal Government Committee for their Government Committee for their work on this this year. But work on this this year. But this has been a long fought this has been a long fought battle, and I am pleased to battle, and I am pleased to move passage.

[35:16] move passage. Senator Coleman, whose passage Senator Coleman, whose passage of the act. I'll wanting a of the act. I'll wanting a second, please press your green second, please press your green button. Senator Bell. button. Senator Bell.

[35:30] May I be recorded in the May I be recorded in the negative on the amendment to negative on the amendment to item number 14? item number 14? Senator Bell wishes to be Senator Bell wishes to be recorded on the negative, on recorded on the negative, on the amendment, on item number the amendment, on item number 14 does not impact the outcome. 14 does not impact the outcome. Hearing no objection.

[35:45] So Hearing no objection. So ordered. We're on item number ordered. We're on item number 15. Is there any further 15. Is there any further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none. Will the clerk you seeing none.

[36:03] Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? All unlock the machine, please? All members cast their vote. Please. members cast their vote. Please. Senator. Up. Takis, will the Senator. Up. Takis, will the clerk lock the machine? There clerk lock the machine? There are 33 votes in the affirmative, are 33 votes in the affirmative, or four against in the act.

[36:13] or four against in the act. Passes. Item number 16. S 2273. Passes. Item number 16. S 2273. Senator DeMaio and related to Senator DeMaio and related to towns and cities. Zoning towns and cities. Zoning ordinances. Senator Demario. ordinances. Senator Demario. Thank you, madam President. Uh, Thank you, madam President.

[36:28] Uh, currently in Rhode Island, from currently in Rhode Island, from municipality to municipality, municipality to municipality, there is a patchwork of zoning there is a patchwork of zoning ordinances governing family ordinances governing family child care homes that set the child care homes that set the cap for kids that they can take

[36:37] cap for kids that they can take care of at either 8 or 12 for care of at either 8 or 12 for the maximum. These are outdated the maximum. These are outdated regulations because that has no regulations because that has no relationship to the health and relationship to the health and safety regulations that the

[36:47] safety regulations that the Department of Human Services Department of Human Services has. When licensing, licensing, has. When licensing, licensing, family child care homes, which family child care homes, which says that after six children, a says that after six children, a family child care home needs to family child care home needs to bring in a second employee to

[36:57] bring in a second employee to maintain the correct ratios. maintain the correct ratios. And so the situation that this And so the situation that this has created over the years is has created over the years is that depending on which town that depending on which town you're in, a family child care

[37:04] you're in, a family child care home can either have 8 or 12 home can either have 8 or 12 students maximum. But either students maximum. But either way, at six you have to hire an way, at six you have to hire an additional employee. And so additional employee.

[37:13] And so what this has done is it has what this has done is it has artificially curtailed the artificially curtailed the number of seats available to number of seats available to families who want to find families who want to find childcare closer to their home childcare closer to their home or work.

[37:20] And it also has had an or work. And it also has had an inhibiting effect on the inhibiting effect on the profitability of those small, profitability of those small, locally owned childcare locally owned childcare businesses. And so what this businesses.

[37:29] And so what this bill does is it would set a bill does is it would set a statewide cap at 12, which is statewide cap at 12, which is the highest cap that some the highest cap that some municipalities have currently, municipalities have currently, which will immediately at no which will immediately at no cost, increase. The child care cost, increase.

[37:39] The child care seats available to families seats available to families across the state, as well as across the state, as well as increase the profitability of increase the profitability of these locally owned businesses. these locally owned businesses.

[37:47] I just want to acknowledge the I just want to acknowledge the support of SEIU, the League of support of SEIU, the League of Cities and Towns, and also the Cities and Towns, and also the Department of Human Services Department of Human Services for supporting this for supporting this legislation. And I also just legislation.

[37:57] And I also just want to share that I really want to share that I really credit the inspiration for this credit the inspiration for this bill to Senator Vargas, because bill to Senator Vargas, because last fall, we were sitting last fall, we were sitting together at a conference and together at a conference and just kind of talking about just kind of talking about various things, and she various things, and she happened to mention a happened to mention a constituent who was looking to

[38:05] constituent who was looking to open a family childcare open a family childcare facility, but was inhibited by facility, but was inhibited by the fact that she could only the fact that she could only have eight students. And with have eight students.

[38:12] And with the building that she wanted to the building that she wanted to be able to have that facility be able to have that facility located in, the math just located in, the math just wasn't going to work out. And wasn't going to work out.

[38:20] And so when I inquired about this, so when I inquired about this, people who have been around people who have been around this advocacy space for a while this advocacy space for a while said, you know, we've tried said, you know, we've tried that before. It'll never that before. It'll never happen. You'll never get the happen. You'll never get the cities and towns on board.

[38:28] And cities and towns on board. And I said, bet. And here we are. I said, bet. And here we are. Move passage. Move passage. Senator Mariano's passage of Senator Mariano's passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button.

[38:45] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you seeing none, the act before you seeing none, will the clerk unlock the will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 lock the machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero

[38:59] votes in the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number 17. S 2575. Sub A by number 17. S 2575. Sub A by Chairman Boselli and related to Chairman Boselli and related to Townsend City's zoning Townsend City's zoning ordinance ordinances. Chairman. ordinance ordinances. Chairman. Brazilian. Brazilian.

[39:13] Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. The act before us President. The act before us today. Um, restricts any city today. Um, restricts any city or town from placing additional or town from placing additional zoning. Um, uh, restrictions on zoning. Um, uh, restrictions on on residential homes that, on residential homes that, provide recovery, uh, services.

[39:28] provide recovery, uh, services. I'll just say that, uh, this is I'll just say that, uh, this is a piece of legislation that a piece of legislation that came to me from the advocates, came to me from the advocates, individuals and, uh, that individuals and, uh, that support the community that's support the community that's recovering from substance use

[39:38] recovering from substance use addictions, um, piece of addictions, um, piece of legislation that I worked on legislation that I worked on throughout the course of the throughout the course of the session with them. We heard session with them. We heard from several cities and towns from several cities and towns that had concerns.

[39:47] We heard that had concerns. We heard from the state fire marshal from the state fire marshal that had concerns, uh, and we that had concerns, uh, and we spent the better part of the spent the better part of the last month working on this last month working on this piece of legislation to address

[39:54] piece of legislation to address those concerns. So I'm those concerns. So I'm incredibly, uh, I don't want to incredibly, uh, I don't want to say proud, but grateful to the say proud, but grateful to the state fire marshal and Rikers state fire marshal and Rikers for coming together and, uh,

[40:04] for coming together and, uh, producing a piece of producing a piece of legislation that balances legislation that balances public health with public public health with public safety. And I just want to safety.

[40:12] And I just want to thank, um, as we're heading thank, um, as we're heading towards the end of the towards the end of the calendar, uh, my staff on the calendar, uh, my staff on the Committee on Housing, municipal Committee on Housing, municipal government, Justin McCarthy and government, Justin McCarthy and John Garrity, the two lawyers John Garrity, the two lawyers that helped worked out this that helped worked out this compromise.

[40:22] Uh, with that, um, compromise. Uh, with that, um, I'm proud to say it has the I'm proud to say it has the support of, as I said, the support of, as I said, the state fire marshal and the, uh, state fire marshal and the, uh, and Ryan cares. And with that, and Ryan cares. And with that, I move passage.

[40:29] I move passage. Chairman Basilio moves passage Chairman Basilio moves passage of the act all wanted to of the act all wanted to second, please press your green second, please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none.

[40:40] Will the clerk you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 32 votes in machine? There are 32 votes in the affirmative. Five against. the affirmative. Five against. The act passes. Item number 18.

[40:56] The act passes. Item number 18. S 2906. Sub A by Senator S 2906. Sub A by Senator Valverde. A joint resolution Valverde. A joint resolution creating a special legislative creating a special legislative commission to study condominium commission to study condominium law and provide recommendations law and provide recommendations for improvements to for improvements to transparency, accountability

[41:11] transparency, accountability and ongoing affordability of and ongoing affordability of condominiums in Rhode Island. condominiums in Rhode Island. Is Senator Valverde. Is Senator Valverde. Thank you, Madam President. As Thank you, Madam President.

[41:24] As the title suggests, this, a the title suggests, this, a resolution creates a resolution creates a legislative study commission to legislative study commission to recommend reforms to Rhode recommend reforms to Rhode Island's condominium laws. As Island's condominium laws.

[41:35] As Rhode Island confronts the Rhode Island confronts the severe housing shortage, severe housing shortage, condominiums have become one of condominiums have become one of the most attainable pathways to the most attainable pathways to homeownership for many working homeownership for many working families. Seniors, first time families. Seniors, first time homebuyers, and moderate income homebuyers, and moderate income residents. Yet the laws residents.

[41:46] Yet the laws governing condominiums have not governing condominiums have not undergone a comprehensive undergone a comprehensive review in decades, despite review in decades, despite significant changes in the significant changes in the housing market, the cost of housing market, the cost of maintaining properties, and the maintaining properties, and the complexity of condominium complexity of condominium governance. Today, many governance. Today, many condominium owners face condominium owners face challenges that our current challenges that our current statues statutes do not statues statutes do not adequately address.

[41:59] Owners and adequately address. Owners and board members often struggle to board members often struggle to understand their respective understand their respective rights and responsibilities. rights and responsibilities. Disputes can arise because Disputes can arise because governing documents, statutory governing documents, statutory requirements, and management requirements, and management practices are complicated and practices are complicated and sometimes difficult to

[42:11] sometimes difficult to navigate, and at the same time, navigate, and at the same time, rising maintenance costs, rising maintenance costs, insurance costs, reserve insurance costs, reserve funding needs, and special funding needs, and special assessments are creating assessments are creating affordability pressures for affordability pressures for both individual owners and both individual owners and condominium associations.

[42:24] This condominium associations. This commission will bring together commission will bring together legislators, housing experts, legislators, housing experts, condo owners, attorneys, condo owners, attorneys, advocates and other advocates and other stakeholders to take a careful stakeholders to take a careful and comprehensive look at the and comprehensive look at the issue.

[42:34] It will examine best issue. It will examine best practices from other states, practices from other states, identify barriers to identify barriers to transparency and transparency and accountability, explore ways to accountability, explore ways to improve owner education and improve owner education and conflict resolution, and conflict resolution, and consider policies that can help consider policies that can help preserve affordability for

[42:46] preserve affordability for current and future condominium current and future condominium owners. It is an excellent owners. It is an excellent bill, and I move passage. bill, and I move passage. Senator Valverde moves passage Senator Valverde moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to.

[42:56] Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none? Will the clerk you seeing none? Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 votes in

[43:14] machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the act passes 19. Item number the act passes 19. Item number 19 S 3302 by chairman. 19 S 3302 by chairman. Brazilian and act related to Brazilian and act related to courts and civil procedure. courts and civil procedure. Court. Superior court.

[43:27] Court. Superior court. Chairman, Brazilian. Chairman, Brazilian. Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. I guess the best way President.

[43:36] I guess the best way to say this is that this piece to say this is that this piece of legislation is an omnibus of legislation is an omnibus bill that makes technical bill that makes technical amendments to, well, the 50 amendments to, well, the 50 plus housing bills that we've plus housing bills that we've passed over the last five passed over the last five years. Um, I'd be remiss if I years.

[43:48] Um, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that, uh, you didn't mention that, uh, you know, Rhode Island is in the know, Rhode Island is in the midst of a housing crisis, uh, midst of a housing crisis, uh, and that our former speaker, and that our former speaker, Speaker Joseph McCarthy, used Speaker Joseph McCarthy, used the bully pulpit of that

[43:57] the bully pulpit of that position to work pretty position to work pretty intentionally. Uh, to address intentionally. Uh, to address Rhode Island's housing crisis Rhode Island's housing crisis as it affects individuals at as it affects individuals at all rungs of the socioeconomic all rungs of the socioeconomic ladder.

[44:10] Over the last five ladder. Over the last five years, we passed more than 50 years, we passed more than 50 bills to deal with that housing bills to deal with that housing crisis. The bill before you in crisis.

[44:17] The bill before you in a number of different ways, uh, a number of different ways, uh, make some technical make some technical adjustments. It makes, uh, one adjustments. It makes, uh, one true adjustment in principle. true adjustment in principle. Uh, as I've talked about with, Uh, as I've talked about with, uh, with the minority whip uh, with the minority whip specifically as it relates to specifically as it relates to our rural communities.

[44:29] And our rural communities. And when, um, affordable units are when, um, affordable units are counted and counted as right counted and counted as right now, they're currently counted now, they're currently counted when the CEO is issued, uh, and when the CEO is issued, uh, and consequently, we have a lot of

[44:41] consequently, we have a lot of rural, rural communities that rural, rural communities that are, are doing their best to are, are doing their best to grapple with the affordability grapple with the affordability crisis and permitting a lot of crisis and permitting a lot of projects.

[44:51] However, um, there's projects. However, um, there's really no way for them to I really no way for them to I don't want to say put a stop to don't want to say put a stop to it, but to get credit for it, but to get credit for permitting those projects.

[44:57] And permitting those projects. And as a result, some of our rural as a result, some of our rural communities, uh, their communities, uh, their percentage of affordable percentage of affordable housing will go from, let's housing will go from, let's say, by example, 6% to 18%. say, by example, 6% to 18%.

[45:09] Once all the projects that are Once all the projects that are permitted are completed. Uh, permitted are completed. Uh, because there's really no way because there's really no way for them to forestall, for them to forestall, forestall that process, that forestall that process, that permitting process, because it permitting process, because it only ends once the CEOs are

[45:20] only ends once the CEOs are issued. And so there's an issued. And so there's an important provision. It's a important provision. It's a very long bill, but it's on very long bill, but it's on page 41. It's the end of page page 41.

[45:27] It's the end of page 41 that takes into account, uh, 41 that takes into account, uh, a lot of the concerns from the a lot of the concerns from the rural communities. And with rural communities.

[45:35] And with that, I think I'd be remiss if that, I think I'd be remiss if I just didn't thank the former I just didn't thank the former speaker for his hard work on speaker for his hard work on this issue. It's an issue this issue. It's an issue that's been laid bare at many that's been laid bare at many doorsteps in every corner doorsteps in every corner throughout our state. And there throughout our state.

[45:41] And there are two issues that I do want are two issues that I do want to thank, two individuals that to thank, two individuals that I do want to thank, in I do want to thank, in particular, because many of the particular, because many of the bills that you have seen come bills that you have seen come before, this committee would

[45:49] before, this committee would not be possible without them. not be possible without them. And that is the speaker, And that is the speaker, special Adviser on Housing Joel special Adviser on Housing Joel Rocha, and also his policy Rocha, and also his policy director, uh, former boss of director, uh, former boss of mine, Lynn Urbani.

[46:01] And I just mine, Lynn Urbani. And I just want to thank them for their want to thank them for their hard work over the years on hard work over the years on these issues. And with that, these issues. And with that, it's a good bill. I move it's a good bill. I move passage. passage.

[46:08] Uh, Chairman Beasley moves Uh, Chairman Beasley moves passage of the act. I'll passage of the act. I'll wanting to second please press wanting to second please press the green button. Senator the green button. Senator Rogers. Rogers. Well, the chairman was correct Well, the chairman was correct in a few areas.

[46:24] Uh, we've seen in a few areas. Uh, we've seen the damage in our rural the damage in our rural communities, and I'm not so communities, and I'm not so rural communities with the rural communities with the housing bills that have been housing bills that have been passed, and those chickens have

[46:31] passed, and those chickens have not come home to roost yet. It not come home to roost yet. It will be coming to a town near will be coming to a town near you soon. Uh, for example, West you soon.

[46:41] Uh, for example, West Greenwich, uh, they did Greenwich, uh, they did everything they could to get as everything they could to get as many in the hopper as they many in the hopper as they could. They got 11%. And then could. They got 11%.

[46:46] And then they had a guy come in and they had a guy come in and said, I'm putting 300 more said, I'm putting 300 more units in and 10% are going to units in and 10% are going to be affordable housing, town be affordable housing, town said, uh, we've already did said, uh, we've already did what the state asked us to do. what the state asked us to do. We did the due diligence.

[46:55] We We did the due diligence. We did the right thing. And then did the right thing. And then they found out that on on a they found out that on on a that 10% isn't when the town that 10% isn't when the town gets all this stuff and ready

[47:03] gets all this stuff and ready for building permits. It's when for building permits. It's when the certificate of occupancy is the certificate of occupancy is issued. So what's happening in issued.

[47:12] So what's happening in the town of West Greenwich the town of West Greenwich they're going to be at with they're going to be at with this one coming in and possibly this one coming in and possibly more. They're going to be over more. They're going to be over a 25% increase in their a 25% increase in their population. And they did the population. And they did the right thing.

[47:21] This is a right thing. This is a compromise, but it's a one compromise, but it's a one sided compromise. And I can't I sided compromise. And I can't I can't do that to my rural can't do that to my rural communities and support this communities and support this bill in any manner.

[47:29] And I'll be bill in any manner. And I'll be a definite no, thank you. a definite no, thank you. Chairman Brazilian. Chairman Brazilian. Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. I do know last year President.

[47:37] I do know last year the, uh, the minority whip and the, uh, the minority whip and myself sparred on a number of myself sparred on a number of issues as it related to the issues as it related to the housing crisis. He made some housing crisis. He made some good points. Uh, the piece of good points.

[47:45] Uh, the piece of legislation before us tries to legislation before us tries to take those into account. But at take those into account. But at this point, um, you know, this point, um, you know, better minds can also disagree. better minds can also disagree. And I want to thank him for the And I want to thank him for the dialogue.. dialogue..

[47:54] Further discussion on the act Further discussion on the act before you hearing. None. Will before you hearing. None. Will the clerk unlock the machine? the clerk unlock the machine? All those who wish to vote in All those who wish to vote in the affirmative press the green the affirmative press the green button.

[48:01] All those opposed the button. All those opposed the red false senators would cast red false senators would cast their votes. Will the clerk their votes. Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 25 lock the machine? There are 25 votes in the affirmative. 12 in votes in the affirmative. 12 in the negative.

[48:17] The act passes the negative. The act passes item number 20. S 3316. Sub a item number 20. S 3316. Sub a Senator Rogers and act Senator Rogers and act regarding motions at the town regarding motions at the town of Scituate. Annual Financial of Scituate. Annual Financial Town meeting. Senator Rogers. Town meeting. Senator Rogers. Thank you, Madam President.

[48:30] Thank you, Madam President. This is a local bill from the This is a local bill from the town of Scituate enabling some town of Scituate enabling some of the procedural issues about of the procedural issues about the financial town meeting on the financial town meeting on to be put on the November

[48:38] to be put on the November ballot for a vote. It's about ballot for a vote. It's about whether they can change some whether they can change some dates, times and for the dates, times and for the motions to be made at that motions to be made at that financial town meeting.

[48:45] Uh, the financial town meeting. Uh, the town it does come with a town it does come with a unanimous vote resolution unanimous vote resolution supporting it from the town supporting it from the town council. Uh, and I move passage. council. Uh, and I move passage. Senator Rogers moves to passage of the act, all wanting to.

[48:56] of the act, all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing and hearing? None. you seeing and hearing? None.

[49:15] Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 36 lock the machine? There are 36 votes in the affirmative. There votes in the affirmative. There are against the act. Passes. are against the act. Passes. Item number 21. With the coin. Item number 21. With the coin.

[49:29] Madam president, without Madam president, without objection, may we please have objection, may we please have item number 22 S 3334 moved to item number 22 S 3334 moved to tomorrow's calendar. tomorrow's calendar. Whip to coin requests. Item Whip to coin requests. Item number 22 S 3334 to be moved to number 22 S 3334 to be moved to tomorrow's calendar.

[49:41] Hearing no tomorrow's calendar. Hearing no objection. So ordered. Item objection. So ordered. Item number 21 S 33333. Chairman number 21 S 33333. Chairman Phelan act related to the North Phelan act related to the North Tiverton Fire District. Tiverton Fire District. Chairman Flagg. Chairman Flagg. Thank you very much.

[49:53] This is a Thank you very much. This is a local bill for the town of local bill for the town of Tiverton. Has the appropriate Tiverton. Has the appropriate resolution. And obviously the resolution. And obviously the great blessing of the chairman. great blessing of the chairman. And with that I move passage.

[50:05] And with that I move passage. Chairman Phelan moves passage Chairman Phelan moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none.

[50:18] Will the clerk you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 36 votes in machine? There are 36 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item number 12.

[50:35] the act passes. Item number 12. We're skipping item number 22. We're skipping item number 22. On to item number 23. S 3354 by On to item number 23. S 3354 by Senator Paolino. Oh, no. I'm Senator Paolino. Oh, no. I'm sorry. Enact authorizing the sorry.

[50:47] Enact authorizing the city of Cranston to finance the city of Cranston to finance the repair, construction, and repair, construction, and rehabilitation of storm drains rehabilitation of storm drains and drainage improvements in and drainage improvements in the remediation of the the remediation of the mitigation of drainage and mitigation of drainage and flooding problems by the flooding problems by the issuance of not more than 4

[51:00] issuance of not more than 4 million in general obligation million in general obligation bonds and notes. Senator bonds and notes. Senator Paolino. Paolino. Thank you, Madam President. I Thank you, Madam President. I won't repeat that. It's a bond won't repeat that. It's a bond issuance for $4 million. So issuance for $4 million. So what you just discussed.

[51:12] what you just discussed. Senator Delano moves the OCC. Senator Delano moves the OCC. Anyone wishing a second, please Anyone wishing a second, please press your green button. press your green button. Further discussion on the act Further discussion on the act before you seeing and hearing before you seeing and hearing none with the clerk.

[51:28] Unlock the none with the clerk. Unlock the machine, please. Will the clerk machine, please. Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 36 lock the machine? There are 36 votes in the affirmative. Is votes in the affirmative. Is there against the act? Passes. there against the act? Passes. Item number 24. S 3355.

[51:49] Senator Item number 24. S 3355. Senator Pat and act authorizing the Pat and act authorizing the city of Cranston to issue, not city of Cranston to issue, not to exceed 25 million. In to exceed 25 million.

[52:00] In general obligation bonds, general obligation bonds, notes, and other evidences of notes, and other evidences of indebtedness to finance the indebtedness to finance the purchase and or acquisition of purchase and or acquisition of land and buildings. land and buildings. Construction, renovation, Construction, renovation, improvement, alteration, improvement, alteration, repair, landscaping, furnishing repair, landscaping, furnishing and equipping of schools and and equipping of schools and school facilities throughout school facilities throughout the city. Senator Milano.

[52:16] the city. Senator Milano. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Move passage. Move passage. Senator Pat moves passage of Senator Pat moves passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button.

[52:28] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you seeing none. the act before you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 lock the machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative, there

[52:43] votes in the affirmative, there are against the act. Passes. are against the act. Passes. Senator Fusa. Yes. Senator Fusa. Yes. Madam president, I'd like to Madam president, I'd like to change my vote on item 19 to a change my vote on item 19 to a no. no.

[52:57] Senator Fusa request to be Senator Fusa request to be marked as a negative and not marked as a negative and not item 19. It does not change the item 19. It does not change the outcome. Hearing no objection. outcome. Hearing no objection. So what did Senator Rob? Takis. So what did Senator Rob? Takis. Madam president.

[53:07] Madam president. Same request on item number 15. Same request on item number 15. I want to change it from a I want to change it from a positive to a negative item positive to a negative item number 15. number 15.

[53:16] Senator, request to go from a Senator, request to go from a positive affirmative to a positive affirmative to a negative on item number 15 does negative on item number 15 does not impact the outcome. So not impact the outcome. So ordered item number 25 S 3356. ordered item number 25 S 3356. By Senator Milano. An act By Senator Milano.

[53:33] An act authorizing the City of authorizing the City of Cranston to finance the Cranston to finance the acquisition, construction, acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, repair improvement, renovation, repair and alteration of playgrounds, and alteration of playgrounds, athletic fields, and related athletic fields, and related equipment in the city by the equipment in the city by the issuance of not more than 4 issuance of not more than 4 million general obligation

[53:46] million general obligation bonds and notes. Senator bonds and notes. Senator Delano. Delano. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. 3356 we move passage. 3356 we move passage. Senator Paolino moves passage Senator Paolino moves passage of the act. All those wishing of the act.

[53:57] All those wishing to second, please press your to second, please press your green button. Further green button. Further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none. Will the clerk you seeing none.

[54:18] Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk lock the Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 votes in machine? There are 37 votes in the affirmative, zero against the affirmative, zero against the eight passes. Item number the eight passes. Item number 26. S 3357 by Senator Pat 26. S 3357 by Senator Pat Milano. An act authorizing the Milano.

[54:33] An act authorizing the city of Cranston to finance the city of Cranston to finance the acquisition, demolition, acquisition, demolition, construction, improvement, construction, improvement, renovation, repair, alteration, renovation, repair, alteration, furnishing and equipping of furnishing and equipping of public buildings in the city by public buildings in the city by the issuance of not more than 2 the issuance of not more than 2 million general obligation million general obligation bonds and notes.

[54:44] Senator Pat bonds and notes. Senator Pat Dolan. Dolan. Madam President, 3357. Move Madam President, 3357. Move passage. passage. Senator item, was passage of Senator item, was passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button.

[54:58] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you sing and the act before you sing and hearing none? Will the clerk hearing none? Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Senator McKenney, will you, uh, Senator McKenney, will you, uh, clerk, lock the machine, clerk, lock the machine, please.

[55:15] There are 37 votes in please. There are 37 votes in the affirmative. Zero against the affirmative. Zero against the act passes. Item number 27, the act passes. Item number 27, S 3358 by Senator Pat Milano. S 3358 by Senator Pat Milano.

[55:29] An act authorizing the city of An act authorizing the city of Cranston to finance the Cranston to finance the acquisition, improvement, acquisition, improvement, renovation, and repair of fire renovation, and repair of fire and public safety equipment by and public safety equipment by the issuance of not more than the issuance of not more than $8 million in general $8 million in general obligation bonds and notes. obligation bonds and notes. Senator Pat Milano. Senator Pat Milano.

[55:42] Madam president 3358 moved Madam president 3358 moved passage. passage. Senator Pat moves passage of Senator Pat moves passage of the act all wanting to. Second, the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green button. please press your green button.

[55:55] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you, chairman the act before you, chairman Phelan? Phelan? Thank you, Madam President. The Thank you, Madam President. The question of the sponsor, question of the sponsor, please. please. Will the sponsor yield to a Will the sponsor yield to a question? question? Yes, sir. I don't have any Yes, sir. I don't have any money, though. money, though. Mr. Cranston.

[56:05] Have enough money Mr. Cranston. Have enough money for all these bonds. for all these bonds. That's why we're taking bonds That's why we're taking bonds out, sir. out, sir. Okay. Because it didn't go to Okay. Because it didn't go to the Finance Committee. Just the Finance Committee. Just wondering. Thank you.. wondering. Thank you..

[56:17] Further discussion on the act Further discussion on the act before you seeing none. Will before you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, the clerk unlock the machine, please? Please. All members please? Please. All members cast their vote. Please. Will cast their vote. Please.

[56:33] Will the clerk lock the machine? the clerk lock the machine? There are 37 votes in the There are 37 votes in the affirmative. Zero against the affirmative. Zero against the act passes. Item number 28. S act passes. Item number 28. S 3359 by Senator Patino. An act 3359 by Senator Patino.

[56:48] An act authorizing the city of authorizing the city of Cranston to finance the design, Cranston to finance the design, construction, repair, construction, repair, rehabilitation and improvement rehabilitation and improvement of streets, sidewalks, and of streets, sidewalks, and bridges in the city, including bridges in the city, including but not limited to paving, but not limited to paving, drainage, traffic control drainage, traffic control devices, road maintenance devices, road maintenance equipment, safety improvements, equipment, safety improvements, and landscaping.

[57:03] In all costs, and landscaping. In all costs, incidental or related thereto incidental or related thereto by the issuance of not more by the issuance of not more than 8 million in general than 8 million in general obligation bonds and notes. obligation bonds and notes. Senator Patino. Senator Patino., thank you, Madam President.

[57:13] I , thank you, Madam President. I think Senator Phelan put the think Senator Phelan put the brakes on any further spending. brakes on any further spending. This will be the last one we This will be the last one we move. Passage. move. Passage. Senator petrolatum, was passage Senator petrolatum, was passage of the act.

[57:23] All wanted a of the act. All wanted a second? Please press your green second? Please press your green button. Is there further button. Is there further discussion on The act before discussion on The act before you. Seeing none, will the you. Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, clerk unlock the machine, please? Chairman.

[57:41] Brazilian please? Chairman. Brazilian leader. Will the clerk lock the leader. Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 votes in machine? There are 38 votes in the affirmative. Zero against the affirmative. Zero against the act passes. Item number 29. the act passes. Item number 29.

[57:53] S 3360 by chairman McKinney and S 3360 by chairman McKinney and authorizing the amendment of authorizing the amendment of the Warwick City Charter to the Warwick City Charter to allow for the enactment of allow for the enactment of ordinances that subject mayoral ordinances that subject mayoral appointments to certain appointments to certain codified city boards and

[58:05] codified city boards and commissions, to the advice and commissions, to the advice and consent of the city Council. consent of the city Council. Chairman McKinney. Chairman McKinney. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. This is a local bill. Orrick is This is a local bill.

[58:15] Orrick is looking to consider possible looking to consider possible charter amendments that would charter amendments that would go before the voters in go before the voters in November for enhanced advice November for enhanced advice and consent for various boards and consent for various boards and commissions. Move passage. and commissions. Move passage.

[58:25] Chairman McKinney moves passage Chairman McKinney moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Further discussion on button.

[58:37] Further discussion on the act before you seeing none, the act before you seeing none, will the clerk unlock the will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 lock the machine? There are 38 votes in the affirmative, zero votes in the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item against the act passes.

[58:52] Item number 30 S 3363 by chairman number 30 S 3363 by chairman DePalma. An act related to DePalma. An act related to taxation property subject to taxation property subject to taxation. Chairman DePalma. taxation. Chairman DePalma. Thank you, Madam President. The Thank you, Madam President.

[59:00] The bill you have before us is a bill you have before us is a local bill, appropriate local bill, appropriate resolution, and it allows the resolution, and it allows the town of Tiverton to provide town of Tiverton to provide some flexibility for a senior some flexibility for a senior discount. And with that, I move discount. And with that, I move passage. passage.

[59:09] Chairman DePalma moves passage Chairman DePalma moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button.

[59:24] Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you? Seeing none, will the you? Seeing none, will the clerk unlock the machine, clerk unlock the machine, please? All those who wish to please? All those who wish to vote in the affirmative, press vote in the affirmative, press the green button. All those the green button. All those opposed the red. Leader Dela opposed the red.

[59:36] Leader Dela Cruz, will the clerk lock the Cruz, will the clerk lock the machine, please? There are 38 machine, please? There are 38 votes in the affirmative. Zero votes in the affirmative. Zero against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number 31. S 3364. Sub A by number 31. S 3364.

[59:48] Sub A by Chairman Phelan and related to Chairman Phelan and related to taxation, property subject to taxation, property subject to taxation. Chairman Flagg. taxation. Chairman Flagg. Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. President.

[1:00:01] Local bill for the town of Local bill for the town of Tiverton that increases the tax Tiverton that increases the tax credit for disabled veterans credit for disabled veterans and unmarried widows. And with and unmarried widows. And with that I move passage. that I move passage. Chairman Phelan, passage of the Chairman Phelan, passage of the act all wanting to second act all wanting to second please push your green button. please push your green button.

[1:00:15] Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you? Seeing and the act before you? Seeing and hearing none. Will the clerk hearing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Senator Morgan. Will the clerk Senator Morgan.

[1:00:32] Will the clerk lock the machine, please? There lock the machine, please? There are 38 votes in the are 38 votes in the affirmative. There are against affirmative. There are against the act. Passes. Item number the act. Passes. Item number 32. S 2136. Sub A by chairman. 32. S 2136. Sub A by chairman. Brazilian act related to Brazilian act related to elections. Local canvassing elections. Local canvassing authorities. Chairman. authorities. Chairman. Brazilian.

[1:00:46] Brazilian. Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. This is a piece of President. This is a piece of legislation that deals with legislation that deals with vacancies after nomination vacancies after nomination period is closed. It's period is closed.

[1:00:54] It's supported by the local board of supported by the local board of canvassers. I move passage.. canvassers. I move passage.. Chairman Basilio moves passage Chairman Basilio moves passage of the act all wanting to. of the act all wanting to. Second, please press your green Second, please press your green button. Is there further button.

[1:01:07] Is there further discussion on the act before discussion on the act before you seeing none. Will the clerk you seeing none. Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? unlock the machine, please? Senator Morgan? Will the clerk Senator Morgan? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 38 lock the machine? There are 38 votes in the affirmative, zero

[1:01:25] votes in the affirmative, zero against the act passes. Item against the act passes. Item number 33. S 2480 by Senator number 33. S 2480 by Senator Coleman and related to public Coleman and related to public records. Access to public records. Access to public records. Senator Coleman. records. Senator Coleman. Thank you, Madam President.

[1:01:39] Thank you, Madam President. This bill would make crash data This bill would make crash data available, um, to to the public available, um, to to the public via an online portal. I want to via an online portal.

[1:01:47] I want to actually start by shouting out actually start by shouting out Senator Chairman DePalma, who Senator Chairman DePalma, who has been championing public has been championing public records reform in a much records reform in a much broader bill. This is a sort of broader bill.

[1:01:55] This is a sort of peel off bill that's been peel off bill that's been championed by the Providence championed by the Providence Streets Coalition and the save Streets Coalition and the save Ripta coalition. Um, and my Ripta coalition. Um, and my thanks again to the Judiciary thanks again to the Judiciary Committee for working with me Committee for working with me on it. And with that, I move on it. And with that, I move passage. passage.

[1:02:03] Senator Coleman, was passage of Senator Coleman, was passage of the act all wanting to second, the act all wanting to second, please press the green button. please press the green button. Is there further discussion on Is there further discussion on the act before you seeing none. the act before you seeing none.

[1:02:16] Will the clerk unlock the Will the clerk unlock the machine, please? Will the clerk machine, please? Will the clerk lock the machine? There are 33 lock the machine? There are 33 votes in the affirmative. Five votes in the affirmative. Five against the act passes. against the act passes. Chairwoman Murray. Chairwoman Murray. Thank you, Madam President.

[1:02:38] May Thank you, Madam President. May I be recorded in the I be recorded in the affirmative on items number 14 affirmative on items number 14 through 27? through 27? Chairwoman Murray, request to Chairwoman Murray, request to be mocked in the affirmative by be mocked in the affirmative by for items 14 through 27.

[1:02:51] It for items 14 through 27. It does not impact the outcome. So does not impact the outcome. So ordered. Senator GU. ordered. Senator GU. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. Same request for items 20 to Same request for items 20 to 23. In the affirmative. 23. In the affirmative. Chairwoman.

[1:03:03] Request to be Chairwoman. Request to be mocked in the affirmative for mocked in the affirmative for items 2323 does not impact the items 2323 does not impact the outcome. So ordered chairman outcome. So ordered chairman DePalma. DePalma. Madam president, time for an Madam president, time for an announcement. Or not yet? announcement. Or not yet? Sure.

[1:03:15] Sure. Go ahead. Thank you, Madam Go ahead. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, seeing as how we President. Uh, seeing as how we need to conclude, use a few need to conclude, use a few minutes more minutes before minutes more minutes before finance is going to meet. I finance is going to meet.

[1:03:23] I have an announcement to make, have an announcement to make, uh, that we should have made uh, that we should have made earlier. You'll hear me talk earlier. You'll hear me talk about facts, data and context. about facts, data and context.

[1:03:32] So we one of our facts are So we one of our facts are there are many films and movies there are many films and movies that have been filmed in the that have been filmed in the state House. We know about state House. We know about them, the Brotherhood. We know them, the Brotherhood. We know about al McKay, maybe others as about al McKay, maybe others as well.

[1:03:41] We don't know well. We don't know necessarily. I guess there's necessarily. I guess there's been some series that have been been some series that have been filmed at the state House, but filmed at the state House, but not necessarily a one of a, uh, not necessarily a one of a, uh, real life, uh, series filmed at

[1:03:53] real life, uh, series filmed at the state House. So in our the state House. So in our midst, we have someone who I midst, we have someone who I think is going to be getting think is going to be getting her Screen Actors Guild card. her Screen Actors Guild card.

[1:04:01] Uh, Senator Urso, uh, so fact Uh, Senator Urso, uh, so fact that that's the case. And when that that's the case. And when we talk about context, in case we talk about context, in case you were wondering about the you were wondering about the context, if you happen to see context, if you happen to see the show this weekend, The Real

[1:04:09] the show this weekend, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island. Housewives of Rhode Island. Yes, I do watch it with my Yes, I do watch it with my wife. I needed to watch it this wife. I needed to watch it this week. In fact, the setting and week.

[1:04:17] In fact, the setting and Senator Urso did a phenomenal Senator Urso did a phenomenal job. The setting for the film, job. The setting for the film, for the movie, for the show was for the movie, for the show was in fact room 210. So I gave it in fact room 210.

[1:04:27] So I gave it my office, Senator Urso said, my office, Senator Urso said, Senator, we can use the office Senator, we can use the office for staging. I said, Senator, for staging. I said, Senator, why don't you use the office why don't you use the office for the actual scene? Guess for the actual scene? Guess what? The scene is there.

[1:04:36] So as what? The scene is there. So as I'd like to say, Bravo, Senator. I'd like to say, Bravo, Senator. Senator Pearson. Madam President, may be Madam President, may be recorded in the affirmative. recorded in the affirmative. Items one through nine, please. Items one through nine, please.

[1:04:56] Senator Pearson, request to be Senator Pearson, request to be mocked in the affirmative on mocked in the affirmative on items one through nine does not items one through nine does not impact the outcome. So ordered impact the outcome. So ordered chairman flag. chairman flag. All I can say is facts and data.

[1:05:09] All I can say is facts and data. Who says that? I just got a Who says that? I just got a delay. Another minute or so and delay. Another minute or so and the finance committee will be the finance committee will be meeting at 745.

[1:05:20] So facts and meeting at 745. So facts and data prevailed here, where we data prevailed here, where we were able to have our finance were able to have our finance meeting at 745. Madam president meeting at 745. Madam president did well going through the did well going through the whole agenda.

[1:05:32] And with that, I whole agenda. And with that, I moved that the Finance moved that the Finance Committee will be meeting at Committee will be meeting at the rise in room 211. You know, the rise in room 211. You know, prompt attendance is greatly prompt attendance is greatly appreciated. Thank you. appreciated. Thank you.

[1:05:42] We have finished today's We have finished today's calendar. Are there any further calendar. Are there any further announcements? Chairman. announcements? Chairman. Brazilian. Brazilian. Thank you very much, Madam Thank you very much, Madam President. Seeing as we have President.

[1:05:57] Seeing as we have about 30s to go, I, I was about 30s to go, I, I was enjoying my colleague over here enjoying my colleague over here who was just acknowledged, uh, who was just acknowledged, uh, filling out the Providence filling out the Providence Journal, uh, crossword puzzle Journal, uh, crossword puzzle from Thursday, June 4th and one from Thursday, June 4th and one across. We are looking for a across.

[1:06:10] We are looking for a four letter word, facts and four letter word, facts and figures. Any guesses? Any figures. Any guesses? Any takers? Data? Yeah. Correct. takers? Data? Yeah. Correct. Yeah. There you go. There you Yeah. There you go. There you go. Lupe. go. Lupe.

[1:06:25] Any further announcements? Is Any further announcements? Is there any objection to there any objection to transmitting adopted transmitting adopted resolutions to the Honorable resolutions to the Honorable Secretary of State? All matters Secretary of State? All matters passed by the Senate to the passed by the Senate to the honorable House of honorable House of Representatives in all matters Representatives in all matters passed in concurrence to His passed in concurrence to His Excellency the Governor.

[1:06:35] Excellency the Governor. Hearing none so ordered. Hearing none so ordered. Whipped to coin the desk is now Whipped to coin the desk is now clear of business. I call on clear of business. I call on whip to coin for the purpose of whip to coin for the purpose of adjournment. adjournment. Thank you, Madam President.

[1:06:47] If Thank you, Madam President. If there's no further business there's no further business before the Senate today, I move before the Senate today, I move the Senate adjourn. the Senate adjourn. To coin moves that the Senate To coin moves that the Senate adjourn.

[1:06:54] It is seconded by Lita adjourn. It is seconded by Lita Cooney. All those in favor of Cooney. All those in favor of adjournment, please signify by adjournment, please signify by saying aye. All those opposed? saying aye. All those opposed? Nay. The Senate stands Nay. The Senate stands adjourned.

Rhode Island Senate: 6-10-2026

Transcript