The Biggest Bills That Passed and Failed in RI in 2022

Failed

Failed to Pass Abortion Rights - EACA

Legislative leaders refused to take action on a women's reproductive rights measure -- and the Womxn Project blasted Shekarchi and Ruggerio on the issue. 

“A majority of Rhode Islanders supported the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act and a majority of the 2022 General Assembly signed on, but Governor McKee, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio didn’t get the job done. The governor allowed a budget to pass that denied insurance benefits for abortion for state employees and people who use Medicaid and the leadership refused to allow the bill to get a vote on the floor. In spite of a constant public outcry, they did not do what was needed to make sure the right we worked so hard to protect would be made real for people facing financial barriers,” said the Project.

“Well trust that we will remember this in the coming elections. We will remember - and call out - every elected official who got in the way of doing more to ensure true access to abortion care,” it added.

Senate leadership issued a statement late on Friday telling EACA supporters that they will not consider the bill in 2022.

In a statement from Ruggerio and Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey, the leaders said, “In anticipation of a decision like the one the Supreme Court made today, the Senate acted in 2019 to codify Roe v. Wade into state law. As a result, no Rhode Islander is losing rights today. The EACA has financial implications and should be considered as part of the budget, but was not included in the proposal presented to the Legislature in January, or in the budget the House sent to the Senate last week. We plan to address this issue in the 2023 session.”

Just a week later McCaffrey announced he was not running for reelection.

Passed

Cannabis for All

Under the new law, possession and home-growing of cannabis is now legal for adults age 21 and older, and in-store sales may begin as soon as December 1. The law also establishes a framework for common-sense adult-use cannabis regulation with a strong emphasis on public health and public safety.

“This bill successfully incorporates our priorities of making sure cannabis legalization is equitable, controlled, and safe,” said Governor McKee. “In addition, it creates a process for the automatic expungement of past cannabis convictions. My Administration’s original legalization plan also included such a provision and I am thrilled that the Assembly recognized the importance of this particular issue. The end result is a win for our state both socially and economically.”

The legislation calls for a 20 percent tax rate, split up into the 7 percent sales tax, a new 10 percent cannabis tax, and a 3 percent tax by the municipality where the marijuana is sold. In addition, the legislation makes numerous investments in the creation of an equitable, accessible cannabis retail market through the set-aside of certain application fee revenues and the reservation of a portion of new licenses for social equity applicants and worker-owned cooperatives.

Passed

Housing Funding

Housing advocates led by groups like the United Way of Rhode Island called for $500 million in funding to go to provide relief to the RI Housing crisis.

They got about half.

Legislators allocated $250 million from the American Rescue Plan Act funds for affordable housing and addressing homelessness, including $30 million for down payment assistance for homebuyers and $10 million toward housing for the homeless.

The General Assembly improved the procedure for approval of the construction of low or moderate-income housing and updated the state’s Low and Moderate Income Housing Act.

Passed

The Guns Safety Bills That Passed

With a lot of fanfare, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed three gun safety bills into law on Tuesday but elusive again was the effort to ban assault rifles. The bill died a quiet death as a group of state senators pressed Senate President Dominick Ruggerio to kill the legislation.

McKee’s campaign was quick to praise the new legislation, but his State House office has refused to answer questions about the failure of the assault rifle bill.

Gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes, who also initially called for the passage of assault rifles also faded from the fight and refused to respond to questions.

“Governor McKee is proud to stand with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, and the many families across our country who have been affected by gun violence. The Governor’s stance on this issue is clear: Enough is enough,” said the McKee campaign.

The bills that Governor McKee signed into law were:

- Bans large-capacity gun magazines
- Raises the legal age to purchase firearms or ammunition in Rhode Island from 18 to 21, with exceptions for police, state marshals or correctional officers and active-duty military or National Guard members.
- Changes the definitions of “rifle” and “shotgun” consistent with federal law, and prohibits the open carry of any loaded rifle or shotgun in public.

Failed

The Gun Safety Legislation That Failed 

It was brewing to be a nightmare year for the gun lobby in Rhode Island at the State House.

In the first post-COVID session of the General Assembly, the gun lobby would be without its most powerful supporter -- former Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello. The “A” rated NRA powerbroker had protected gun rights for years.

But, in 2020, Mattiello was beaten badly in his reelection bid by Republican Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung.

2022 looked like it could be a disaster for gun rights supporters.

With it being an election year and a growing number of legislators facing credible progressive challengers in the Democratic primary just three months away, there was a real danger of a tsunami of gun safety bills passing in the Rhode Island General Assembly.

But instead, 2A gun advocates defeated the assault rifle ban.

READ MORE

Passed

Driving Privileges for Undocumented

When Gina Raimondo ran for governor in 2014 she promised to extend driver's licenses to undocumented residents. 

She signed a pledge.

It did not happen.

In 2022, the General Assembly approved a bill to grant driving privileges to undocumented residents

The new law signed by Governor Dan McKee allows the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue driving privileges to undocumented residents in the state.  Applicants must present proof of paying income taxes, two primary proof of identity documents and proof of insurance. Neither the permit nor card would be usable for federal or state identification or voting purposes. The legislation now heads to the governor’s office for consideration.

Failed

Rebate Checks to Taxpayers

Despite growing inflation and record surplus, the General Assembly refused to provide rebate checks to Rhode Island families. 

The state had a nearly $900 million surplus - a Rhode Island record.

The legislature instead decided to end the car tax one year early - a savings of less than $100 for most families.

Failed

Cut to Gas Tax

The Biden Administration is trying to cut the federal gas tax.

Connecticut cut its state's gas tax.

But the McKee administration and Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio refused to cut the Rhode Island gas tax -- one of the highest in the country.

Passed

Rhode Island Is First State to Commit to 100% Renewable Energy by 2033

Governor Dan McKee this week signed into law legislation to substantially increase renewable energy production and supply by requiring that 100 percent of Rhode Island’s electricity be offset by renewable production by 2033. Rhode Island is the first state in the country to commit to 100 percent renewable energy by 2033, the most aggressive renewable energy standard among any U.S. state.

“Rhode Islanders are already feeling the effects of climate change, and the risks facing our communities will grow increasingly dire in the years ahead. This legislation sets out a bold but achievable goal and builds on the historic progress we made in 2021 through the Act on Climate. It will keep Rhode Island, home to the nation’s first offshore wind farm, on the forefront of renewable energy innovation. And it will help us harness the power of clean energy as a driver of economic growth and opportunity,” said Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence).

Passed

Superman Incentive

The General Assembly passed legislation that allows the City of Providence the ability to give a significant additional tax break to developers of the Superman building.

The Assembly allows Providence to extend the city's tax break from 20 years to 30 years -- a windfall worth tens of millions for the developer.

With the extended tax stabilization -- the value of the total incentives to the developer is about $90 million in federal, state, and local incentives.