Senate to Vote on ‘Red Tape’ Bills Thursday

Senate to Vote on ‘Red Tape’ Bills Thursday

A Rhode Island Senate committee is expected to vote Thursday on several bills intended on easing the regulatory burden on small businesses in Rhode Island.

The bills are part of a legislative package unveiled at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce business expo last week. The bills would do the following: 

● establish the Office of Regulatory Reform at the Economic Development Corporation, to spearhead regulatory reform efforts.

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● spend $250,000 to create a single electronic application process to meet various state agencies’ regulatory requirements.

● require that fire alarm, smoke detection, and carbon monoxide plans be approved or denied within 15 days, instead of 90.

● put one business representative to the state Apprenticeship Council and four on the 12-member board of directors for the state Economic Development Corporation.

The bills will come before the Senate Corporations Committee at approximately 4:45 p.m. Thursday in Room 212 at the State House. For more information, including copies of the bills, visit www.MakingBusinessEasyRI.com.