Hardship Licenses & Unlimited Wine Sampling: This Week at The State House
GoLocalProv Political Team
Hardship Licenses & Unlimited Wine Sampling: This Week at The State House
Senate OKs Archambault bill for hardship licenses with ignition interlock
The Senate passed legislation introduced by Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston) that would require a judge or magistrate to immediately grant a hardship license upon a finding or admission of guilt to a first offense of driving under the influence or refusal to submit to a breathalyzer or other chemical test, subject to a finding of need.
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Senate approves Gallo bill allowing for annual unlimited wine sampling events
The Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) that would permit Class A liquor retail license holders to elect on one occasion annually, during the month of November only, to serve unlimited samples of wine products that are available for purchase from the licensee’s outlet. Similar legislation introduced by Rep. John M. Carnevale (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston) has been passed by the House of Representatives.
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Rep. Serpa bill would allow pharmacies to dispense biological products
Rep. Patricia Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) has introduced legislation that would allow pharmacies to dispense biological products, which are used to treat high-risk patients who don’t respond to traditional medication. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence).
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Rep. McLaughlin bill would make school bus transportation more cost-efficient
Rep. James N. McLaughlin (D-Dist. 57, Cumberland, Central Falls) has introduced legislation that would allow school districts to maintain an annual registry for students requiring bus transportation to school. The purpose of this registration would be to assist each district’s bus transportation plan to be more cost-efficient.
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Sen. Goldin, Rep. Slater legislation raises wages for nursing home workers
Sen. Gayle L. Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence) and Rep. Scott A. Slater (D-Dist.10, Providence) have introduced bills that would begin to address low pay in the nursing home industry by restoring the nursing home inflationary index and directly targeting those funds to increase wages for nursing home workers.
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Prescription coverage bill a personal battle for Sen. Walaska
Sen. William A. Walaska (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) is sponsoring legislation to provide Rhode Islanders expanded coverage for experimental uses of prescription drugs. The bill’s importance is one he knows all too well, since he is currently recuperating from a bout with leukemia thanks to an experimental new use of a drug. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick).
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Rep. Azzinaro bill prohibits caregivers from producing butane hash oil products
Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro’s (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) legislation that would outlaw medical marijuana patients and caregivers from producing butane hash oil products was heard in the House Committee on Judiciary. The legislation would allow the state’s compassion centers to produce the product if the compassion center manufactures it in accordance with the Department of Health’s rules and regulations.
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Rep. Filippi wants voters to decide if state officials should be elected by majority
Rep. Blake Filippi (I-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) has introduced a resolution to provide voters the opportunity in the next election to amend the state constitution to require candidates for statewide office and the General Assembly to be elected by a majority vote through instant runoff elections rather than though the current plurality vote.
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Rep. Malik introduces bill that sends more meal tax money to cities and towns
Rep. Jan P. Malik (D-Dist. 67, Warren, Barrington) has introduced legislation that would increase the amount of funds distributed to cities and towns that result from the meals and beverage tax. Currently, there is a 1 percent meals and beverage tax, on top of the 7 percent sales tax, that all eating and drinking establishments are required to collect. The Department of Taxation then keeps the 7 percent sales tax for the state and sends the 1 percent meals and beverage tax back to the originating city or town. Representative Malik’s bill would incrementally start to give back cities and towns a portion of the sales tax collected by the cities and towns.
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Majority Leader Ruggerio bill would pave way for Sunday simulcast betting
At the request of the employees at Twin River’s gaming facilities, Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) has submitted legislation that would effectively open the door for simulcast wagering on Sundays at Rhode Island’s licensed gaming facilities.
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