Chamber Connections BLOG
Chamber Connections BLOG
Last Week At the State House
Revenue Estimating Conference – The Numbers Are In The conferees completed their estimates during a seven-hour meeting Friday. The bottom line – in FY2024, total taxes are up $26.8 million with general revenues up $47.7 million. For FY2025, taxes are estimated to be $10.2 million more than originally thought, with general revenues up only $9.7 million more than anticipated. The debate over FY2024 personal income taxes was the longest debate as the tax filing deadline was extended to July 15th this year. By declaring a state of disaster during the flooding of many Rhode Island cities and towns, the State was required under federal law to extend the tax filing date. This extension left the conferees asking themselves if final tax collections will track similarly to 2023 because taxpayers have not filed yet, taking advantage of the delayed deadline, or have taxpayers filed as usual and tax payments are lower than anticipated. In the end, the FY2024 personal income tax collection was set at $1,785,200,000 (down $68.7 million). The FY2025 estimate is $1,856,600,000 (down $53.6 million from November’s estimate). Business Corporate taxes are $67.6 million higher than anticipated in FY2024 ($372.5 million), and $30.7 million higher in FY2025 ($345 million). Sales and use tax collections are also up. FY2024 collections are estimated at $1.64 billion, an increase of $11.4 million; FY2025 collections are estimated at $1.7 billion, an increase of $19.5 million. Lottery revenues are estimated to be lower. The category “lottery” includes revenue from the casinos, lottery games and igaming. FY2024 saw a slight decrease of $8 million ($428.8 million). The FY2025 estimate is $449.4 million which is $9.4 million less than anticipated during the November, 2023 estimating conference. With caseload estimates also down slightly, the General Assembly will have small amounts of money to work with as they craft the final budget over the following four to six weeks. The Washington bridge remains in the forefront of all discussions related to spending. This Week At the State House Tuesday, May 14th The House Finance Committee is meeting Tuesday at the Rise (approximately 4:45) in Room 35. H.7486, An Act Relating to Taxation – Personal Income Tax – Capital Gains, changes the holding period requirement from five years to one year and lowers the tax rate - unless the asset is a “non-owner occupied asset.” Non-owner occupied assets valued at $1 million or more would be subject to a capital gains tax rate of $5.00 for each one thousand dollars ($1,000) or fractional part of the assessed value on properties worth at least one million dollars $ 2,000,000; and at the rate of $6.00 for each $1,000 or fractional part of the assessed value on properties worth at least $2,000,000. Businesses involved in investment management services would be subject to a 19% “carried interest fairness fee” if Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey pass the same fee. Wednesday, May 15th The Senate Labor Committee is scheduled to take testimony on S.2470, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Minimum Wages. The meeting will be held at 4:30 pm in room 313. This bill would dramatically change the operations of many companies and many sole proprietors in the state. S.2470 changes the definition of “employee” for the purposes of workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and TDI qualification. It proposes to adopt what is sometimes referred to as the “ABC” test. A person would be deemed an “employee” unless the person can meet all three tests: (1) the person is free from control and direction of the hiring entity (2) the person performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business; AND (3) the person is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation or business of the same nature as that involved in the work performed. Use of the ABC test would make it very difficult for some professions to work as an independent contractor. For example, an independent computer technology person could not work as an independent contractor for any business that has an IT person already on staff (even if that person is out on family leave), since it would not qualify as outside the usual course of business. Any business with a government affairs staff person, would likely not be able to hire an independent lobbyist. It is difficult to imagine all of the possible contractors that may get swept up and reclassified as an employee of multiple businesses, meaning multiple businesses would pay workers compensation, unemployment compensation and TDI for the same person. The third prong of the test allows independent contractors to be hired if that trade is an established trade or occupation customarily known for having independent contractors. The third part of the test gives no assistance to emerging technology and innovation. S.2237 is also scheduled for hearing in the Senate Labor Committee. The bill proposes to increase the tipped wage (also referred to as cash wage) from the current $3.89 per hour to $6.75 per hour January 1, 2025. It is important to understand that “tipped wage” does not equate to the hourly wage paid to the employee. Both federal and state law require an employee to be paid minimum wage. If the employee does not make minimum wage when the tipped wage and customer tips are added together, the employer must make up the difference. If they fail to do so, the employee can file a complaint with the Department of Labor and back wages will be paid and the employer will be penalized. Another consequence of raising the minimum wage and the tipped wage is an increase in premium pay. Rhode Island remains the only state in the country that requires employers to pay premium pay to employees who work Sunday and holidays as part of their normal forty (40) hour work week. Testimony on both bills may be emailed to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov The following new bill was filed last week: House Bill No. 8262 Corvese, Azzinaro, Cardillo, McNamara, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION -- BENEFITS (Amends 4 sections relating to the workers' compensation benefits dealing with increasing the amount of dependent benefits payable to a totally disabled employee comprising this year's annual omnibus bill.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8262.pdf Senate Bill No. 3068 Ciccone, F. Lombardi, Bissaillon, Britto, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKERS' COMPENSATION -- BENEFITS (Amends 4 sections relating to the workers' compensation benefits dealing with increasing the amount of dependent benefits payable to a totally disabled employee comprising this year's annual omnibus bill.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S3068.pdf
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Last Week At the State House
Revenue Estimating Conference – Economic Forecast Last week S&P Global Market Intelligence (the State’s Economic Consulting Firm) provided their fiscal predictions for the upcoming years. From a United States perspective, the consultants expect growth to slow in 2024, GDP to slow to 1.8% per quarter and the unemployment rate to gradually increase over the next couple years. They expect real corporate borrowing costs to remain up and mortgage rates to decline slowly. Following the US overview, the consultants then take a closer look at Rhode Island. The State’s employment market has remained strong, with growth in the first quarter of 1.9 % compared to the US average of 1.4%. Maine and New Hampshire are starting to experience an employment slow down and Rhode Island is expected to see the same. Our growth came from administrative support services, health services and “professional, scientific and technical” services. Rhode Island has regained all jobs lost during the pandemic, earlier than expected. In the housing market, it came as no surprise that the state has experienced incredible price increases in housing. Rhode Island home prices increased 61% from 2019-2023, 11th in the country. While other states saw increases, the consultant stated those states experienced the change in prices due to domestic migration, but Rhode Island did not see that significant increase in migration. Our price increase likely comes from housing inventory issues. So what are the predictions? Employment growth will decelerate, but remain positive through FY2025 then slip into a modest contraction in retail, profession, scientific and technical, and construction employment. The unemployment rate will increase from 3.6% this fiscal year (FY2024) to 4.1%, then 4.3% and to 4.5% by FY2027. The increase in unemployment will change the current increasing annual wage percentage growth from 7.2% in FY2024 to 3.7% in FY2025, 3.6% in FY2026 and 3.6% in FY2027; which will also cause consumer spending to flatten out. The economists also expect the median cost of existing single-family homes to decrease in 2025, 2026 and 2027, then go back up slightly in 2028 and 2029. This Week At the State House Tuesday, May 7th The Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled to vote on S.2273, An Act Relating to Commercial Law – Unfair Sales Practices. The bill requires businesses that offer automatic subscription renewals or continuous offers to provide notice to the consumer prior to the automatic renewal of such subscription, provide clear and conspicuous cancellation information with such notice, and provide notice in the manner in which the consumer entered into the contract for automatic subscription renewal in the first instance. Businesses that offer automatic subscription renewals or continuous service offers must provide contract terms to the consumer in a clear and conspicuous manner, prior to the consumer’s engagement in the contract for automatic subscription renewals. If passed, the law would take effect on January 1, 2025. Senate Judiciary has a vote scheduled for S.3041, An Act Relating to Courts and Civil Procedure – Decisions, Special Findings and Assessment of Damages. S.3041 declares that an individual’s “assumption of the risk” when entering a location is not a bar to recovery for injuries or damages to property. As an example, if a person goes to a baseball game and gets injured by a ball that was hit by a batter, the person is considered to assumed the risk of this type of injury when entering the ballfield. If a golfer is standing on the green and gets hit by a stray golf ball, the person is usually considered to assume the risk by stepping on to the golf course. S.3041 changes the legal landscape. Wednesday, May 8th The Governor has asked the House and Senate to consider an amendment to his proposed budget. Amendments are forwarded to the Finance Committees each year as revenues and expenditures change over the months following the submission of the Governor’s Budget. On Wednesday, the House Finance Committee will take testimony on Governor’s Amendment #12. This amendment includes $24.0 million in State Fiscal Recovery Funds allocated to the Unemployment Trust Fund administered by the Department of Labor and Training. The goal is to restore the Unemployment Trust Fund to the pre-pandemic levels, leaving the business community held harmless for the depletion of the fund as a result of the closure of businesses and the fraudulent claims submitted during the pandemic. Thursday, May 9th You may have seen advertisements in the paper or heard commercials on the radio concerning an effort to pass legislation affecting the salaries of health care providers in Rhode Island. South County Hospital has launched a campaign to pass H.8072, An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – The Rhode Island Health Care Reform Act 2004 – Health Insurance Oversight. The bill changes the 2004 Act by requiring health insurance contracts with hospitals and physicians (beginning in 2028) to pay at rates not less than the regional average rate for services which would include Connecticut and Massachusetts. The rate would be recalculated every two years. Prior to 2028, the bill requires the rates to be set at a rate at least 33.3% of the Rhode Island payment shortfall plus the rate of healthcare inflation They believe this legislation is necessary to ensure adequate access for all Rhode Islanders to primary care and specialty doctors, and advanced practice providers; and to improve the sustainability and quality of Rhode Island’s hospitals. The proponents acknowledge this bill will result in increased costs and premiums; but they also believe that without these adjustments, Rhode Island health care insurance will be insurance that cannot be used, because there will not be enough providers to handle patients. Providers get paid more in Rhode Island’s neighboring states, so it is harder to hire employees. They predict the additional cost to insurance premiums will be $25 per month per employee. The Rhode Island Office of Management and Budget completed a fiscal note on H.8072 and its companion senate bill S.2722. The Office of Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) estimates it will need $750,000 to conduct the data study required under the bill. That study must be completed every two years, so this expense must be budgeted in the appropriate years going forward. OHIC also needs one FTE at an estimated total annual cost of $160,964. The fiscal note focuses on state employees as attempting to determine state-wide impact is outside the scope. The following information is taken verbatim from the RIOMB fiscal note: “OHIC notes that the provider categories impacted by the bill are hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, and professional physician. The estimated costs of these claims in 2024 are $36.7 million for hospital inpatient, $49.5 million for hospital outpatient and $37.3 million professional physicians. Currently, rate increases are adjusted by inflation which is assumed at 4 percent year over year. The bill requires rates to be adjusted by 33.33 percent of the Rhode Island payment shortfall plus the rate of healthcare inflation. Therefore, OHIC estimates the bill to increase hospital inpatient and professional physician claims by 11.6 percent and hospital outpatient by 12.9 percent year over year.” FY2025: Current law (baseline increase of 4%): Hospital Inpatient $38.2 million Hospital Outpatient: $51.5 million Professional Physician $38.8 million H.8072/S.2722 Costs: Hospital Inpatient $41.0 million Hospital Outpatient: $55.9 million Professional Physician $40.4 million Assuming 30,000 members on state insurance, incremental impact to the state’s plan equates to approximately $27.92 per month per employee or $335.07 per year. FY2026: Current law (baseline increase of 4%): Hospital Inpatient $39.7 million Hospital Outpatient: $53.6 million Professional Physician $46.5 million H.8072/S.2722 Costs: Hospital Inpatient $45.8 million Hospital Outpatient: $63.2 million Professional Physician $46.5 million In FY2026, the bill results in total increase of $21.7 million compared to current law. Assuming 30,000 members on state insurance, incremental impact to the state’s plan equates to approximately $60.36 per month per employee or $7244.36 per year In FY2027, the bill results in a total increase of $35.3 million compared to current law. Assuming 30,000 members on state insurance, incremental impact to the state’s plan equates to approximately $97.92 per month per employee or $1,175.04 per year. Though an analysis of these expenditure and corresponding impact on market wide insurance premiums is beyond the scope of this fiscal note, the Budget Office consulted with OHIC to gather additional information and context. OHIC’s analysis finds that the annual cost to a family of four is project to be $3,768 to $4,057. Over three years, a family of four is estimated to contribute $7,165 to $7,598 of future compensation toward achieving regional rate parity by 2028. This does not include other factors, such as prescription drug trend, that will increase Rhode Islanders’ premiums and out of pocket health care costs in the future. The following new bill was filed last week: Senate Bill No. 3027 Ruggerio, McKenney, Felag, Sosnowski, LaMountain, Lawson, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION (Reduces the sales tax from seven percent (7%) to six and one-half percent (6 ½%).) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S3027.pdf Senate Bill No. 3032 Picard, Pearson, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Authorizes a retroactive tax credit for tax yr 2022/thereafter/allowing investment tax credits to be passed through to the personal income tax returns of eligible Sub-S corporation shareholders/limited liability company members who meet certain conditions) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S3032.pdf Senate Bill No. 3041 F. Lombardi, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DECISIONS, SPECIAL FINDINGS AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES (Adds the doctrine of assumption of risk to the current comparative negligence statute.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S3041.pdf Last Week At the State House
The Senate Labor Committee passed two bills of particular note, sending them to the Senate floor for a vote Tuesday, April 30th. S.2123 SubA, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Payment of Wages, was amended by the committee. Today employers must include with wage payments, an account of the hours worked, deductions from gross earnings and an explanation of those deductions. This legislation adds: the number of piece-rate units earned and any applicable piece rate if the employee is paid on a piece-rate basis; the amount and purpose of each itemized deduction in understandable language; net wages earned; the inclusive dates of the period for which the employee is paid; the name of the employee and the last four digits of the employee's social security number or an employee identification number, other than a social security number; the name and address of the legal entity that is the employer; and all applicable hourly rates in effect during the pay period and the corresponding number of hours worked, at each hourly rate by the employee. The amended bill (S.2123 SubA) still includes the requirement to provide employees a type of “mini employee handbook” in English. The reference to the employee’s primary language was removed by the committee. The information includes items such as: wage information, benefits, holiday information, sick time, and travel and expense policies, hourly employee status or exempt status. The bill, as written, would become effective upon passage. S.2473 SubA, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Workplace Psychological Safety Act was also amended slightly. The bill begins by stating that employees have a right to a physically safe work environment and to a psychologically safe workplace. Employers have a “general duty” to provide a work environment free from all forms of psychological abuse and to ensure that all employees are treated respectfully and with dignity. “Psychological abuse” is defined as “mentally provocative harassment. Mistreatment that has the effect of hurting, weakening, confusing, or frightening a person mentally or emotionally.” The bill was amended by changing the definition of “Bullying” to include only employer-to employee” abuse. However, the SubA still includes language prohibiting employees to engage in psychological abuse with other employees, and then holding the employer liable for allowing psychological abuse to occur in the workplace. Within six months of enactment, the bill currently states all employers must adopt policy procedures to comply with the law and to train managers and supervisors to handle complaints. The SubA changes the complaint process for employees. Employees of public entities file with the Department of Labor and Training. Employees of private employers file in Superior Court. Penalties still include economic, compensatory and punitive damages. A person who experiences psychological abuse may present a case using direct and circumstantial evidence, and if successful may request public notification of the case outcome without disclosing the plaintiff’s name. The SubA can be viewed at: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText24/SenateText24/S2473A.pdf This Week At the State House Tuesday, April 30th Both the Senate Rules Committee and the House Committee on State Government & Elections are scheduled to vote on bills (S.2727 and H.7759) that require the department of transportation to prepare a monthly "Washington Bridge snapshot report." This report would contain information on the progress of repairs and other actions (including travel times) pertaining to the Washington Bridge. This information would be public via posting on the legislative website. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/Proposed24/S2727A.pdf https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/Proposed24/H7759A.pdf Wednesday, May 1st S.2535 is scheduled for a committee vote on Wednesday. The bill requires businesses located within an Environmental Justice Zone to complete a Cumulative Impact Analysis (CIA) and submit it with an application for a new permit or a permit renewal. The CIA requires the applicant to consider past, present and future impacts that derive directly from the applicant’s activities as well as the activities of those entities around them. It is meant to help the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) make emission decisions. It is a complex program and detail intense. However, because DEM is the only agency with all the information needed to complete the analysis (data related to other entities in the area), an applicant may be unable to meet the requirement and all permits, and permit renewals would presumably be rejected if the data cannot be obtained. There are businesses that operate in what may now be considered an Environmental Justice Zone that provide extremely important products and services to Rhode Islanders and to the economy. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2535.pdf Thursday, May 2nd Taxes are the topic of the day in the House Finance Committee on Thursday. This is a hearing with acceptance of public testimony. H.7338, An Act Relating to Taxation – Personal Income Tax, imposes a Rhode Island personal income surtax of three percent (3%) on taxable income over $1,000,000, with the existing three-bracket personal income tax structure remaining in place. This surtax would be imposed on taxable income after all modifications, standard deductions, and exemptions have been applied; and would apply to tax years ending December 31, 2025 and beyond. The additional revenue would be placed in a restricted receipt account to be used for child care, public education, roads and bridges and public transportation. The language in the bill calls this program a “Surtax on millionaires.” https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7338.pdf H.7489, An Act Relating to Taxation – Business Corporations Tax, reduces the corporate minimum tax from $400 to $350 starting in tax year 2025. This proposal is identical to the Governor’s proposal in his budget. According to the House Fiscal Staff, the proposed change is expected to impact nearly 77,000 entities. The FY 2025 recommendation lowers revenues by $2.3 million to account for a half year impact; annualized the loss would be $4.7 million. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7489.pdf H.7928, An Act Relating to Taxation - Business Corporations Tax, repeals the minimum corporate tax in its entirety immediately upon passage. Using the estimated tax impact of a $50 decrease in the Corporate Minimum Tax of $4.7 million, the impact of a repeal of the tax would be about $37.6 million annualized. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7928.pdf Federal Department of Labor Announces Change in the Overtime Rule (Below is the DOL’s press release announcing the change in rule) Rule ensures salaried workers making less than $58,656 receive fair pay for long hours WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris administration today announced a final rule that expands overtime protections for millions of the nation’s lower-paid salaried workers by increasing the salary thresholds required to exempt a salaried bona fide executive, administrative or professional employee from federal overtime pay requirements. Effective July 1, 2024, the salary threshold will increase to the equivalent of an annual salary of $43,888 and increase to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025. The July 1 increase updates the present annual salary threshold of $35,568 based on the methodology used by the prior administration in the 2019 overtime rule update. On Jan. 1, 2025, the rule’s new methodology takes effect, resulting in the additional increase. In addition, the rule will adjust the threshold for highly compensated employees. Starting July 1, 2027, salary thresholds will update every three years, by applying up-to-date wage data to determine new salary levels. “This rule will restore the promise to workers that if you work more than 40 hours in a week, you should be paid more for that time,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “Too often, lower-paid salaried workers are doing the same job as their hourly counterparts but are spending more time away from their families for no additional pay. That is unacceptable. The Biden-Harris administration is following through on our promise to raise the bar for workers who help lay the foundation for our economic prosperity.” The department conducted extensive engagement with employers, workers, unions and other stakeholders before issuing its proposed rule in September 2023, and considered more than 33,000 comments in developing its final rule. The updated rule defines and delimits who is a bona fide executive, administrative and professional employee exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime protections. “The Department of Labor is ensuring that lower-paid salaried workers receive their hard-earned pay or get much-deserved time back with their families,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman. “This rule establishes clear, predictable guidance for employers on how to pay employees for overtime hours and provides more economic security to the millions of people working long hours without overtime pay.” Key provisions of the final rule include the following: · Expanding overtime protections to lower-paid salaried workers. · Giving more workers pay or valuable time back with their family: By better identifying which employees are executive, administrative or professional employees who should be overtime exempt, the final rule ensures that those employees who are not exempt receive time-and-a-half pay when working more than 40 hours in a week or gain more time with their families. · Providing for regular updates to ensure predictability. The rule establishes regular updates to the salary thresholds every three years to reflect changes in earnings. This protects future erosion of overtime protections so that they do not become less effective over time. The rule’s effective date is July 1, 2024. Learn more about the department’s efforts to restore and extend overtime protections. Agency Wage and Hour Division Date April 23, 2024 Release Number 24-717-NAT The following new bill was filed last week: House Bill No. 8208 Slater, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ORDINANCES (Allows town and city councils to impose penalties for the violation of ordinances and regulations not exceeding the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000).) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8208.pdf The General Assembly begins the last phase of the legislative session this week. The Revenue Estimating Conference gets underway April 26th and finishes May 10th, preparing the way for the creation of the final FY2025 budget. Voting on bills intensifies. Both the House and Senate are working toward a goal of finishing the 2024 session in June. Following the summary of activities scheduled for this week is a brief update of the Public Utilities Commission’s Future of Natural Gas Activities.
This Week At the State House Wednesday, April 24th The Senate Labor Committee will be voting on six bills at 4:30 pm in Room 211. The Chamber expects amendments – known as SubAs – to be offered prior to passage; however, the Committee has not posted the changes yet. SubAs are usually posted up to 24 hours prior to the meeting. S.2122, An Act Relating to Corporations – Workers’ Cooperatives, provides exclusive benefits to cooperatives. Established in 2017, the General Assembly passed a law allowing the creation of an entity where individuals could complete a probationary period as a part-time or full-time employee and become a voting member of the company. The entity is taxed as a corporation. The law also states, “To the extent that a workers’ cooperative has shareholders (owners) who are employees (members), the workers’ cooperative shall be subject to the provisions of title 28 related to employees including, but not limited to: department of labor and training payroll taxes, temporary disability insurance, state unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.” S.2122 adds a new operational model for cooperatives. It allows co-ops to adopt, in its bylaws, the ability to furnish skilled labor from its members to other entities and to treat those members as independent contractors for that purpose – not as an employee of the co-op. This would allow a co-op to compete with similar businesses at a fiscal advantage. S.2123, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Payment of Wages, changes an employer’s responsibilities as it relates to providing employees with statements of earnings. Today employers must include the hours worked, deductions from gross earnings and an explanation of those deductions. The legislation adds items such as the last four digits of the social security number, deduction explanations, the employer’s address and name, and output information if pay is based on quantity. S.2123 requires employers to provide a type of “mini employee handbook” to employees in English or in each employee’s primary language. The information includes items such as: wage information, benefits, holiday information, sick time, and travel and expense policies. DataUSA reports that 22.4% of Rhode Island households report speaking a primary language other than English. While the most common non-English language spoken in Rhode Island is Spanish followed by Portuguese, there are reportedly forty-one languages spoken as a primary language in the State. Some families are fluent in both their primary language and English, others are not. S.2124, Senate Resolution Creating a Special Legislative Commission to Study and Review Rhode Island’s Minimum Wage – calls for an eleven-member commission to be appointed to conduct an in-depth study of the state’s minimum wage and to report its findings by May 24, 2025. S.2472, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Workers Compensation seems like a movie re-run in that it calls for independent contractors to file annually with the Department of Labor. A similar bill passed last year and became effective January 1, 2024. The court reviewed the statute and determined the language required further revision to clarify the intent of the Act. S.2472 specifies that independent contractors must file annually for each client to be legally considered an individual contractor. The process is simple. To file DWC-11-IC form online, go to: https://dlt.ri.gov/workers-compensation/independent-contractors If you are a company that hires independent contractors, the Chamber encourages you to verify the form has been filed. S.2473, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Workplace Psychological Safety Act. The bill begins by stating that employees have a right to a physically safe work environment and to a psychologically safe workplace. Employers have a “general duty” to provide a work environment free from all forms of psychological abuse and to ensure that all employees are treated respectfully and with dignity. “Psychological abuse” is defined as “mentally provocative harassment. Mistreatment that has the effect of hurting, weakening, confusing, or frightening a person mentally or emotionally.” Within six months of enactment, the bill currently states all employers must adopt policy procedures to comply with the law and train managers and supervisors to handle complaints. S.2473 includes an annual reporting process. Employers are liable for failing to take appropriate measures to provide employees with a psychologically safe work environment. Penalties include economic, compensatory and punitive damages. Any person who aids, abets, incites, or coerces another person in an action not permitted under the legislation is also guilty. A person who experiences psychological abuse may present a case using direct and circumstantial evidence, and if successful may request public notification of the case outcome without disclosing the plaintiff’s name. S.2785, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Labor Relations Act, proposes to protect the free speech rights of employees in the workplace, but it also limits the first amendment rights of employers. S.2785 would prohibit employers from requiring non-managerial employees to attend a meeting to learn about legislative proposals or regulatory matters as well as meetings to provide information concerning labor organization efforts. If enacted, this legislation would severely limit an employer’s ability to educate employees about legislation, including legislation that would materially impact the business’ operations or the employee’s day-to-day job responsibilities. Public Utilities Docket No. 22-01-NG – Investigation Into the Future of the Regulated Gas Distribution Business in Rhode Island in Light of the Act on Climate Since March, 2023, the PUC Stakeholder Committee has been gathering data on various users of natural gas, alternative options that might be available for use, and costs of decommissioning the current natural gas system. The Act on Climate, passed into law in 2021, requires Rhode Island to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions 45% below 1990 levels by 2030, 80% below 1990 levels by 2040 and Net-zero emissions by 2050. The PUC hired Energy and Environmental Economics (known as E3) an analytically driven consulting firm focused on the transition to clean energy resources to assist in the analysis. The Firm released is 122-page report this month. The Stakeholder group will take this report, along with additional information, and develop policy recommendations. They will look to create a list of near-term actionable items, recognizing areas of common agreement and diversion of opinions. The group will discuss concrete policies and determine which policies are within the jurisdiction of the PUC and which actions are non-jurisdictional. E3 designed six economy-wide decarbonization scenarios that each present distinct pathways to achieving the Act’s climate targets:
gas infrastructure;
alternative to gas investments;
and renewable fuels. A few key findings:
The full report will be available on the PUC website soon. The Stakeholder Committee meets again this week April 25th from 10am to 3pm at the PUC office in Warwick. The following new bills have been filed: Senate Bill No. 2988 F. Lombardi, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RHODE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND LAND USE ACT (Provides amendments relative to the compliance and implementation of the comprehensive planning and use act including the conditions upon which limitations may be placed on land use applications by municipalities.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2988.pdf Senate Bill No. 2992 Kallman, McKenney, Burke, AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ABANDONED PROPERTY (Requires towns and cities to publish a list of abandoned properties and makes various other amendments relative to the sale of abandoned property by a receiver.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2992.pdf Senate Bill No. 2994 McKenney, Burke, LaMountain, Kallman, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Amends provisions relative to the application of zoning ordinances pertaining to wetland buffers to projects for development, redevelopment, construction or rehabilitation.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2994.pdf Legislative Break April 15 – 20
The General Assembly is on vacation break this week. They will return April 23rd for the third phase of the session. This last phase is marked with the development and passage of the final budget which should take place in June. The House and Senate Finance Committees have almost completed hearings on the Governor’s proposed budget. They will now wait for the completion of the May Revenue Estimating Conference. The Governor’s Budget Staff meets with the House Fiscal Staff and the Senate Fiscal Staff to debate and adopt revenue and caseload estimates for the upcoming two fiscal years. These numbers will be used by the General Assembly as the guardrails for the budget. May Revenue Estimating Conference Agenda Friday April 26, 2024 – Caseload Testimony 9:00 A.M Cash Assistance Caseload Department of Human Services Private Community Developmental Disabilities Services Caseload Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals 1:00 P.M. Medical Caseload Executive Office of Health and Human Services Monday April 29, 2024 - Economic Overview and Testimony 9:00 A.M. US and RI Economic Forecasts – S&P Global Market Intelligence Michael Lynch and Juan Turcios, Economists RI Labor Market Conditions - Department of Labor and Training Donna Murray, Assistance Director, Labor Market Information Unit Consensus Economic Forecast 10:30 A.M. Lottery Receipts - Department of Revenue, Division of Lottery Mark Furcolo, Director, Division of Lottery Commerce Corporation Tax Credits - Commerce Corporation Jeff Miller, Executive Vice President of Investments, RI Commerce Corporation Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Caseload Follow up Testimony (if necessary)* 1:00 P.M. Cash Assistance Caseload Department of Human Services Private Community Developmental Disabilities Services Caseload Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals Medical Caseload Executive Office of Health and Human Services Monday, May 6, 2024 – Caseload Estimating Conference 9:30 A.M. Caseload Estimating Conference Monday, May 6, 2024 - Revenue Testimony 2:00 P.M. Tax Collections - Department of Revenue, Division of Taxation Neena Savage, State Tax Administrator Accruals - Department of Administration, Office of Accounts and Control Dorothy Pascale, State Controller Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – Follow up Testimony (if necessary)* 1:00 P.M. Tax Collections - Department of Revenue, Division of Taxation Neena Savage, State Tax Administrator Friday, May 10, 2024 - Revenue Estimating Conference 9:00 A.M. Revenue Estimating Conference *in the event that testimony is submitted in writing and no hearing is necessary, all documents will be posted online. Meeting materials will be made available on the General Assembly website at https://www.rilegislature.gov/Special/rcc/Pages/rcec.aspx or http://omb.ri.gov/REC . The following new bill was filed last week: House Bill No. 8170 Shallcross Smith, Craven, Ackerman, Kislak, Noret, DeSimone, Nardone, Fellela, Baginski, J. Lombardi, AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- CONTRACTORS' REGISTRATION AND LICENSING BOARD (Requires all applicants who seek to register as a contractor to produce a legible copy of a valid government issued identification.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8170.pdf Call to Action – Now is the Time! The Chamber Needs Your Help!
The Chamber is asking you to contact your State Representative and State Senator and let them know how H.7171 and S.2121 will affect your business. H.7171, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Temporary Disability Insurance, (S.2121 is the identical bill) increases the weekly dependance allowance provided under TDI/TCI from $10 to $20 or 7% of the benefit rate, whichever is greater. The bill also expands the TCI benefit to cover employees who wish to take time to care for a sibling (including half-siblings and foster siblings), a grandchild or a “care recipient.” A “care recipient” is defined as “a person for whom the employee is responsible for providing or arranging health or safety related care, including, but not limited to, helping the person obtain diagnostic, preventive, routine, or therapeutic health treatment.” Lastly, the TCI benefit increases to 12 weeks in a benefit year beginning January 1, 2025. This benefit was first extended to employees in 2014 at 4 weeks. It increased to 5 weeks in 2022 and to 6 weeks in 2023. The employer is required to hold the job for the employee that is on leave. It is imperative that you contact your legislators by phone, or email. Both bills are being pushed heavily by the advocates and are under consideration. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7171.pdf Legislative Break Week Begins April 15th The General Assembly will be on legislative break April 15th – April 19th and will return to hearing calendars and floor session April 23rd. This will begin the third phase of the legislative process as bills begin to pass at an accelerated rate. The May Revenue Estimating Conference starts April 26th and will wrap up May 10th, providing the data needed to begin the final negotiations for the FY2025 budget. This Week At the State House Wednesday, April 10th The House Labor Committee’s 4:00 meeting schedule includes H.7793, An Act Relating to Labor Relations – Rhode Island Parental and Family Medical Leave Act which increases the number of benefit weeks provided to employees from thirteen weeks every two years, to twenty-four weeks every two years (S.2467 is the Senate companion bill). While the Chamber understands that this is unpaid leave, the employer must still keep the employee’s job waiting for the person’s return. Employers are having an extremely difficult time attracting employees. Finding temporary workers can be even more challenging. Should H.7793 pass, employers will be looking for replacements for almost six months, at a time when they cannot find employees for a full year. This is a very high burden at a time when businesses are least able to adapt. Additionally, should the proponents of the expansion of the state’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program be successful, the expansion of Family Leave, together with the expansion of TCI would leave employers trying to find replacement employees for up to nine months. The Chamber strongly encourages you to contact your legislators about this proposal as well as the proposal to expand the TCI program (H.7171 and S.2121). The Senate has already passed both S.2467 and S.2121. Both Senate bills are in the House Labor Committee. H.7793 can be viewed at: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7793.pdf Testimony can be emailed to HouseLabor@rilegislature.gov by 1:00 Wednesday. At 4:30, the Senate Labor Committee will take testimony on S.2477, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Payment of Wages – Frequency of Payment. This bill requires all employers to pay employees on a weekly basis unless an employee’s wages are fixed at a biweekly, semi-monthly, monthly or annual rate. S.2477 provides an exemption for state and municipalities as well as any nonprofit organization with less than 25 employees. In 2013, the business community fought hard to pass biweekly pay for all employees. The compromise reached allowed the Department of Labor and Training to authorize biweekly pay for businesses with an average payroll equal to 200% of the state’s minimum wage, a surety bond equal to the highest two weeks payroll exposure, and no history of labor violations. S.2477 removes the 2013 compromise language. Today, Rhode Island has one of the strictest “frequency of payment” laws in the country. (CA requires weekly pay for agricultural workers; NY requires weekly pay for manual workers although large employers may apply for an exemption; VT requires weekly pay although permits biweekly pay if employers provide written notice of the policy change). If this is of interest to your business, testimony can be submitted to: SLegislation@rilegislature.gov To read the actual language of the bill go to: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2477.pdf The Washington Bridge continues to be a major focus at the State House. The Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight has scheduled S.2727, An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – Department of Transportation for hearing and a possible vote. S.2727 requires the Department of Transportation to submit a monthly progress report to the General Assembly. The report must include (1) An updated timeline regarding actions to be undertaken on the Washington Bridge, including, repairs, alterations, or replacement of all or a portion of the structures. (2) A list of consulting firms retained or utilized by the department. (3) Data on traffic patterns over the bridge for the time period covered by the report. (4) Data on traffic delays. (5) An overview of costs related to actions on the bridge, and (6) Any updates pertaining to pending investigations and audits related to the bridge. The hearing will be televised by Capitol Television on: Cox Communications, channels 15 and 61 for high definition; i3Broadband (Formerly Full Channel) on 15; and Verizon, on channel 34. Livestreaming is available at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv The following new bills have been filed: House Bill No. 8127 Alzate, Batista, Carson, Spears, Cotter, McGaw, Donovan, DeSimone, Speakman, Morales, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACT (Establishes requirements which would have to be met by an applicant prior to the issuing of permits for an activity that would have an environmental impact on or would increase the cumulative impacts on an environmental justice area.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8127.pdf House Bill No. 8143 Kislak, Cotter, Fogarty, Potter, Cruz, Boylan, McGaw, AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHARMACIES (Restricts audits of pharmacists conducted by insurers and their intermediaries, limiting audits to 1 per year unless fraud or misrepresentation is reasonably suspected. The Rhode Island attorney would have the authority to impose sanctions for violations.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8143.pdf House Bill No. 8148 (Attorney General) Cortvriend, Tanzi, Knight, Finkelman, Handy, Edwards, Fogarty, Azzinaro, McNamara, Speakman, AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (Replaces the coastal resources management council with a state department of coastal resources and transfers all of the powers and duties between the two (2) authorities.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8148.pdf Senate Bill No. 2946 Cano, Mack, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES (Mandates all insurance plans provide insurance coverage for diagnosing and treating infertility for women between the ages of 25 and 42 years including preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF).) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2946.pdf Last Week At the State House
S.2121, the Temporary Caregiver bill, passed the Senate Floor 31- 3. Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, Senator Anthony DeLuca and Senator Thomas Paolino voted against the bill. Absent from the vote were: Senator Elaine Morgan, Senator Louis Raptakis and Senator Gordon Roberts. The bill is now on its way to the House Labor Committee. While the bill passed the Senate, we ask you to continue to contact your Senator as bills will be negotiated over the upcoming months. S.2121 (and its companion bill H.7171) double the amount of time workers can use for Temporary Caregiver Insurance (from 6 weeks to 12 weeks) and expand the program to allow employees to take time to care for “a person for whom the employee is responsible for providing or arranging health or safety related care, including, but not limited to, helping the person obtain diagnostic, preventive, routine, or therapeutic health treatment.” This Week At the State House Tuesday, April 2nd H.7286, An Act Relating to Public Utilities and Carries, is the topic of discussion in the House Corporations Committee at the Rise (approximately 4:30pm) in the House Lounge. This bill creates a tiered rate system for electricity and natural gas customers whose household income level is below 150% of the federal poverty level and who are eligible for LIHEAP assistance or Medicaid. For these households, the plan envisions capping electric rates to ensure that they pay no more than 3% of their income on electricity or 6% of their income if the house utilizes electricity as a sole source of heat. The program will be funded by increased rates assessed on all other customers. The most current US Census estimates 10.8% of population in Rhode Island meets the definition of living in poverty. The census does not say how many are living at 150% of the federal poverty level. The Rhode Island total population at the time of the census was 1,095,962. Testimony may be submitted at HouseCorporations@rilegislature.gov Wednesday, April 3rd The House Committee on Small Business will be taking testimony from the public, but with a special request to hear from businesses affected by the Washington Bridge partial closure and replacement plan. The committee is gathering information to determine what assistance might be needed as the bridge is dismantled and rebuilt over the next year and a half. The meeting will be held in room 101 at 4:00pm sharp. If you wish to submit written testimony, email your letter to HouseSmallBusiness@rilegislature.gov The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to hear S.2282, An Act Relating to Education – Curriculum at 4:00 in room 313. This act would establish a "workplace readiness week". It would require all public high schools, including charter schools, to annually observe that week by providing information to students on their rights as workers, including: (1) Prohibitions against misclassification of employees as independent contractors; (2) Child labor; (3) Wage and hour protections; (4) Worker safety; (5) Workers’ compensation; (6) Unemployment insurance; (7) Paid sick leave, paid family leave, and state disability insurance; (8) The right to organize a union in the workplace; and (9) Prohibitions against retaliation by employers when workers exercise these or any other rights guaranteed by law. Testimony can be submitted to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov Senate Labor is scheduled to hear a couple bills of note at 4:00pm in room 212. S.2122, An Act Relating to Corporations – Workers’ Cooperatives, provides exclusive benefits to cooperatives. Established in 2017, the General Assembly passed a law allowing the creation of an entity where individuals could complete a probationary period as a part-time or full-time employee and become a voting member of the company. The entity is taxed as a corporation. The law also states, “To the extent that a workers’ cooperative has shareholders (owners) who are employees (members), the workers’ cooperative shall be subject to the provisions of title 28 related to employees including, but not limited to: department of labor and training payroll taxes, temporary disability insurance, state unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.” S.2122 adds a new operational model for cooperatives. It allows co-ops to adopt, in its bylaws, the ability to furnish skilled labor from its members to other entities and to treat those members as independent contractors for that purpose – not as an employee of the co-op. This would allow a co-op to compete with similar businesses at a fiscal advantage. S.2900, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Fair Employment Practices – Extreme Temperature Employee Protection, requires employers to take special precautions when employees are working in temperatures above 90 degrees or below 32 degrees, including employees that are required to stay in vehicles under these conditions. Employees would be entitled to paid rest breaks, adequate shade, warming or cooling stations, drinking water, protective equipment and clothing. An employer found in noncompliance would be subject to compensatory damages and in some cases punitive damages. Testimony on either of these bills can be emailed to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov The following new bills have been filed: House Bill No. 8109 Slater, DeSimone, Perez, Batista, Diaz, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- STATEWIDE TANGIBLE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION (Repeals the language that eff. 2025 fiscal year all cities/towns/fire districts would receive a reimbursement equal to the tangible property levy for the 12/31/22 assessment date less the tangible personal property levy for 12/31/25 assessment date.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8109.pdf Senate Bill No. 2929 (General Treasurer) Murray, Lawson, Acosta, Zurier, DiPalma, DiMario, Valverde, Cano, Lauria, Euer, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- RHODE ISLAND BABY BOND TRUST (Creates the Rhode Island baby bond trust to provide investment funds to children born to families with public health insurance or no insurance living in Rhode Island.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2929.pdf Senate Bill No. 2930 (General Treasurer) Zurier, Gu, DiPalma, Sosnowski, LaMountain, Lauria, DiMario, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Provides a tax credit to individual taxpayers who convert their gas-powered vehicle into a vehicle propelled by an alternative fuel source.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2930.pdf *** ACTION ALERT ***
In a recent conversation with Legislative Leaders about legislation that could harm the business community, they remarked that they don't hear enough from business owners like you at the State House. The Chamber realizes that it is difficult to come to the state house and sit through a hearing because you are busy facing the challenges of running a business. However, you do have a unique opportunity to come to the state house Tuesday 4:30-6:30 PM for a legislative reception where you can talk to legislators. If you are unable to attend the reception, we need legislative leaders to hear from you by communicating your concern via email, phone call or personal visit to your elected officials to show them you are aware of bills being considered for passage this session. In a state like Rhode Island, standing up for your business can seem like a daunting task. But that is exactly why we need voices like yours to tell lawmakers in Providence the real-world impact of certain policy choices. If they do not hear your story, they cannot be expected to understand the impacts legislation can have on your business. Below you will find a list of this session's policies that will impact your business, many of which are moving with strong support from lawmakers. We urge you to take five minutes to tell your elected officials, Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio that your business will be harmed if these bills pass into law. Time Off
Labor
Health Care
NOW IS YOUR TIME TO ASK LEGISLATORS TO HELP BUSINESSES THIS YEAR BY NOT PASSING LEGISLATION THAT WILL PLACE FURTHER BURDENS AND COSTS ON BUSINESS Senators - https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/default.aspx Representatives - https://www.rilegislature.gov/representatives/default.aspx The following new bills have been filed: Senate Bill No. 2813 (Dept. of Revenue) Britto, Tikoian, Lawson, DiPalma, LaMountain, Ciccone, Burke, AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT (Makes numerous technical amendments to the statutes on taxes and corporations, associations and partnerships.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2813.pdf Senate Bill No. 2840 McKenney, LaMountain, Burke, Raptakis, Euer, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- CONSUMER ENFORCEMENT OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE WARRANTIES (Requires manufacturers of assisting technology devices to make available to independent repair providers/the owner of the device, any documentation/parts, software/other items intended for use with the equipment/parts, including updates to software.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2840.pdf Senate Bill No. 2848 DiMario, Gu, Kallman, Valverde, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND CLEAN HEAT STANDARD ACT (Created the Rhode Island clean heat standards act to implement a system of tradeable clean heat credits earned from the delivery of clean heat measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2848.pdf Senate Bill No. 2850 Valverde, Murray, LaMountain, Kallman, Britto, Gu, DiMario, Miller, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- TOXIC PACKAGING REDUCTION ACT (Updates the existing Toxic Packaging Act by delaying the ban on PFAS in processing agents, until July 1, 2027, and also expands the law by banning PVC and polystyrene in packaging.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2850.pdf Senate Bill No. 2888 DiPalma, Gu, Picard, Gallo, Lawson, Bissaillon, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- AUTOMATED DECISION TOOLS (Requires companies that develop or deploy high-risk AI systems to conduct impact assessments and adopt risk management programs, would apply to both developers and deployers of AI systems with different obligations based on their role in AI ecosystem.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2888.pdf Senate Bill No. 2900 DiPalma, F. Lombardi, Miller, Ciccone, Sosnowski, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EXTREME TEMPERATURE WORKER PROTECTION ACT (Directs employers to take certain actions to protect their employees who are exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2900.pdf Senate Bill No. 2901 Ciccone, DiPalma, Raptakis, F. Lombardi, Burke, LaMountain, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- LABOR AND PAYMENT OF DEBTS BY CONTRACTORS (Prohibits contractors and subcontractors from paying employees the cash equivalent of any applicable healthcare benefit in lieu of actually purchasing the healthcare benefit. Violations would be subject to civil fines.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2901.pdf Senate Bill No. 2902 Cano, Mack, DiPalma, Pearson, DiMario, Zurier, McKenney, Lawson, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- CONTRACTORS BONDS (Provides that upon application, and good cause, the state may waive the bonding requirement for certified minority business enterprises or women owned businesses.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2902.pdf Senate Labor Committee Passes Family Leave Bill
On a 4-2 vote, the Senate Labor Committee recommended passage of S.2467, An Act Relating to Labor Relations – Rhode Island Parental and Family Medical Leave Act. The bill increases the number of benefit weeks provided to employees from thirteen weeks every two years, to twenty-four weeks every two years. While the Chamber understands that this is unpaid leave, the employer must still keep the employee’s job waiting for the person’s return. The Chamber wishes to thank Senator Roger Picard and Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz for voting against passage of the bill. Voting in favor was Chairman Frank Ciccone, Senator Frank Lombardi, Senator John Burke and Senator Melissa Murray. S.2467 is now headed to the Senate floor for a vote March 21st. This Week At the State House Tuesday March 12th Senate Commerce Committee Self-service check outs, data privacy and deceptive trade practices are all on the agenda for the Senate Commerce Committee hearing at the Rise in room 212. S.2268, An Act Relating to Commercial Law – Grocery Stores limits the number of customer self-checkout stations to six, requires grocery stores to maintain one manual check-out station for every self-checkout station in use, and gives the Attorney General’s office the authority to impose penalties for noncompliance. The self-service check-out limitation provision in S.2268 could bring under its umbrella grocery stores, pharmacies, and certain retail stores that offer a wide array of goods. Written testimony can be forwarded to slegislation@rilegislature.gov S.2500, An Act Relating to Commercial Law – Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act establishes rules for Rhode Island companies that sell or provide information to third parties for marketing purposes. S.2500 is a seventeen-page bill that is different than bills introduced in previous years. The employee responsible for collecting data for a company must provide certain information in a customer agreement or on a website. The information must include: categories of personal data collected, categories of third parties to whom the information is disclosed, explanation concerning how customers may exercise rights provided under the law, the purposes for collecting the personal data, categories of personal data shared with third parties, and an active email address or online avenue to contact the person in charge of data collection. Customers have a right to correct inaccuracies in the customer’s personal data and to delete data. They have the right to obtain a copy of the data processed and to opt out of data collected for targeted advertising purposes. If your business sells or provides information to third parties, we encourage you to carefully read the bill and submit comments. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2500.pdf S.2503, An Act Relating to Commercial Law – General Regulatory Provisions – Deceptive Trade Practices attempts to address what is often referred to as “junk fees.” The legislation creates a new section to the unfair deceptive practices act, stating it is an unfair practice to offer goods or services to the public and to fail to include a notification disclosing any mandatory fees including the “nature and purpose” of those fees. S.2503 creates significant ambiguity by using language that does not distinguish between fees that are fixed and determinable upfront versus fees that vary based on consumer choices during the ordering process. For example, some web-based companies will charge fees based on the amount of items purchased, or a percentage of the cost of an item or service. These fees are eventually disclosed to the consumer, but cannot be calculated until the order is about to be completed. The language in the legislation would cause this practice to be declared illegal. Additionally, there is no language in the bill to clarify a length of time between the displaying of a price and the customer’s purchase triggering an unfair practice violation. It is possible for a business to advertise a price for an item, and then the corresponding fees change prior to the customer ultimately making a purchase. Lastly, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is working on this very issue now. The Chamber believes it is prudent to allow that process to move forward before the State promulgates proposed regulations covering the same subject matter. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2503.pdf S.2505, An Act Relating to Commercial Law – Deceptive Trade Practices, is another difficult bill to dissect for meaning. This one-sentence bill states, “Any term or condition in any agreement which unnecessarily burdens a person's effective vindication of rights under this chapter [the Deceptive Trade Practices Law] shall be null and void.” If passed, the bill will provide business to attorneys, as the courts attempt to determine what activities are covered under the new provision. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2505.pdf Senate Judiciary Committee The Senate Judiciary Committee is also meeting at the Rise on Tuesday to hear testimony on S.2672, An Act Relating to Criminal Procedure – Identification and Apprehension of Criminals. The bill prohibits the state or any agency, from denying any person employment based on a prior criminal conviction and prohibits the state from disqualifying any person from engaging in any occupation for which a license, permit or certificate of registration is required based on a prior conviction. Unless a particular state law or federal law requires an employer to ask about prior convictions, any state or private employer may not ask about criminal history “until such prospective employee has been deemed otherwise qualified for the position.” At that point, a state entity or agency can deny employment or licensure, registration or permit if the crime is related to the occupation and after taking into consideration the degree of rehabilitation and the time that has elapsed since the conviction. The bill does not specifically state that a private employer cannot deny employment; but it does say “If a conviction of a crime is used as a basis for rejection of an applicant, such rejection shall be in writing and specifically state the grounds presented and reasons for rejection. A copy of such rejection shall be sent by registered mail to the applicant.” One last provision of the bill states that once an individual completes a suspended sentence, a probationary sentence or deferred or suspended sentence, and that person is not subject to sexual offender registration, then the Department of Probation and Parole must issue to the person a certificate of rehabilitation which can be used when applying for employment. S.2203, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations - Fair Employment Practices Act creates individual liability for any person, employer, or employees who directly or indirectly commit any act declared to be an unlawful employment practice. This bill seems to be aimed at overturning a 2017 Rhode Island Supreme Court decision - Mancini vs City of Providence. The case involved a Providence Police Sergeant who alleged he was illegally denied a promotion based on discriminatory factors; and he attempted to sue then Chief of Police, Hugh Clements, Jr. personally. The Rhode Island Supreme Court stated, “allowing for the possibility of individual liability would have a predictably chilling effect on the discretionary management decisions of supervisory employees.” The Chamber encourages members of human resource staffs to submit testimony for the Tuesday hearing at SLegislation@rilegislature.gov Wednesday, March 13th The Senate Labor Committee H.2121, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Temporary Disability Insurance, increases the weekly dependance allowance provided under TDI/TCI to increase from $10 to $20 or 7% of the benefit rate, whichever is greater. The bill also expands the TCI benefit to cover employees who wish to take time to care for a sibling (including half-siblings and foster siblings), a grandchild or a “care recipient.” A “care recipient” is defined as “a person for whom the employee is responsible for providing or arranging health or safety related care, including, but not limited to, helping the person obtain diagnostic, preventive, routine, or therapeutic health treatment.” Lastly, the TCI benefit increases to 12 weeks in a benefit year beginning January 1, 2025. This benefit was first extended to employees in 2014 at 4 weeks. It increased to 5 weeks in 2022 and to 6 weeks in 2023. The employer is required to hold the job for the employee that is on leave. The Chamber strongly encourages you to contact your legislators on this bill, as well as the House version – H.7171. Both bills are being pushed heavily by the advocates and are under consideration. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2121.pdf S.2783, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Employment Security – Benefits proposes to change who is entitled to unemployment benefits during a labor strike. Under current law, an employee is not entitled to unemployment benefits during a strike unless the individual is not a member of the striking union. If an employer locks out striking employees, those employees are entitled to benefits unless the employer is a member of a multi-employer collective bargaining group and the lockout is in response to a strike at another member’s location. S.2783 allows all striking workers to collect unemployment benefits during a strike, meaning an employer is ultimately paying its employees to refuse to work during contract negotiations. S.2783 upsets the delicate balance of power during negotiations which is designed to encourage both sides to work toward compromise. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2783.pdf S.2785, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Labor Relations Act, proposes to protect the free speech rights of employees in the workplace, but it also limits the first amendment rights of employers. S.2785 would prohibit employers from requiring non-managerial employees to attend a meeting to learn about legislative proposals or regulatory matters as well as meetings to provide information concerning labor organization efforts. If enacted, this legislation would severely limit an employer’s ability to educate employees about legislation, including legislation that would materially impact the business’ operations or the employee’s day-to-day job responsibilities. The bill can be viewed at: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2785.pdf S.2473, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Workplace Psychological Safety Act will be heard once again. The bill begins by stating that employees have a right to a physically safe work environment and to a psychologically safe workplace. Employers have a “general duty” to provide a work environment free from all forms of psychological abuse and to ensure that all employees are treated respectfully and with dignity. “Psychological abuse” is defined as “mentally provocative harassment. Mistreatment that has the effect of hurting, weakening, confusing, or frightening a person mentally or emotionally.” Within six months of enactment, all employers must adopt policy procedures to comply with the law and train managers and supervisors to handle complaints. S.2473 includes an annual reporting process. Employers are liable for failing to take appropriate measures to provide employees with a psychologically safe work environment. Penalties include economic, compensatory and punitive damages. Any person who aids, abets, incites, or coerces another person in an action not permitted under the legislation is also guilty. A person who experiences psychological abuse may present a case using direct and circumstantial evidence, and if successful may request public notification of the case outcome without disclosing the plaintiff’s name. The bill can be read in its entirety at: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2473.pdf Testimony concerning bills on the Senate Labor agenda can be emailed to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov Thursday, March 14th House Environment & Natural Resources H.7617, An Act Relating to Health and Safety – Building Decarbonization Act of 2024, is an 18- page bill that addresses new residential and commercial buildings, renovations to certain properties and the collection of energy and water use data from commercial entities including housing properties. Beginning March 31, 2026, a single building with more than 25,000 sq. ft., condominium properties with more than 25,000 sq. ft., or two buildings served by the same electric or gas meter that together have more than 25,000 sq. ft. will be required to submit energy information to the Office of Energy Resources (OER) on an annual basis. The information will be used by OER to create benchmarks for meeting the Act on Climate requirements. As benchmarks are adopted, buildings will have to be renovated to meet the benchmarks. H.7617 bans municipalities from issuing permits for the new construction or the alteration of residential, commercial, or mixed-use buildings that are not “electric-ready” if the application or the permit was submitted after December 31, 2024. An exemption can be issued by the municipality if it is determined that the requirement is physically or technically infeasible. Financial considerations are not sufficient to allow for an exemption. No permits for new commercial, residential or mixed-use buildings would be issued after December 31, 2026, unless the building is all-electric. The bill can be viewed at https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7617.pdf Testimony should be submitted to HouseEnvironmentandNaturalResources@rilegislature.gov The following new bills have been filed: House Bill No. 8055 (Secretary of State) Voas, Giraldo, Stewart, Solomon, Casimiro, Kazarian, AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS -- RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT (Allows the sharing of certain information between the division of taxation and the secretary of state's office regarding an entity's tax status as compliant or non-compliant.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8055.pdf House Bill No. 8059 Baginski, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- RHODE ISLAND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT ACT (Prohibits noncompete agreements except for noncompete agreements between a seller and buyer of a business; creates civil action for an employer for the violation of an agreement by employee regarding disclosure or wrongful utilization of trade secrets.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8059.pdf This Week At the State House
Tuesday March 12th House Committee on Health & Human Services H.7694, An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – RI Individual Market Affordability Act of 2024 will be heard in room 135 at the Rise (approximately 4:30pm). H.7694 establishes a new program entitled “The Rhode Island Individual Market Affordability Program” and funds it through a 2% assessment on private insurance premiums starting in 2025. The funds can be used to reduce cost sharing for individuals (eligible for subsidies) enrolled in health insurance coverage through the RI Health Exchange; provide payments to carriers to increase affordability of insurance on the individual market for lower household income families; and pay for administrative costs related to the new program. A 2022 study by KFF revealed our state has the 6th highest average employer-paid health insurance premium costs in the United States. New York is highest in cost, followed by Washington DC, Alaska, Vermont, Connecticut and then Rhode Island. Massachusetts ranked 11th. https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/single-coverage/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Total%20Annual%20Premium%22,%22sort%22:%22desc%22%7D As premiums increase, it becomes more difficult for businesses to provide health insurance benefits to employees; it makes our state less competitive in attracting economic development to the state and pushes current employees into the individual marketplace. The Chamber, together with other business organizations, have been advocating for the creation of a health care mandated benefits review committee. The committee would be charged with evaluating, on a use and cost basis, all proposed new health care mandates and programs, and then providing that information to the General Assembly before the legislature votes to change the system. Other states have independent bodies, agencies, or designated entities to perform such studies. Certain states require proponents to submit a complete study (contents of the study are stated in statute) with the request to introduce legislation. So far in 2024, sixty-two bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to add new benefits to the health care system. It is an increasing trend that is detrimental to the state’s economy. Wednesday, March 13th Senate Labor Committee Three bills of interest will be heard in the Senate Labor Committee at 4:00 in room 212. S.2467, An Act Relating to Labor Relations – Rhode Island Parental and Family Medical Leave Act increases the number of benefit weeks provided to employees from thirteen weeks every two years, to twenty-four weeks every two years. While the Chamber understands that this is unpaid leave, the employer must still keep the employee’s job waiting for the person’s return. Employers are having an extremely difficult time attracting employees. Finding temporary workers can be even more challenging. Should S.2467 pass, employers will be looking for replacements for almost six months, at a time when they cannot find employees for a full year. This is a very high burden at a time when businesses are least able to adapt. Additionally, should the proponents of the expansion of the state’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program be successful, the expansion of Family Leave, together with the expansion of TCI would leave employers trying to find replacement employees for up to nine months. The Chamber strongly encourages you to contact your legislators about this proposal as well as the proposal to expand the TCI program (S.2121 and H.7171). Testimony on S.2467 can be emailed to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov The bill can be reviewed in its entirety at https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2467.pdf S.2123, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Payment of Wages, changes an employer’s responsibilities as it relates to providing employees with statements of earnings. Today employers must include the hours worked, deductions from gross earnings and an explanation of those deductions. The legislation adds items such as the last four digits of the social security number, deduction explanations in the employee’s preferred language, the employer’s address and name, and output information if pay is based on quantity. It also requires employers to keep these records for an undisclosed period of time. Today, employers must keep records for three years. S.2123 eliminates that provision in its entirety, suggesting the employer must keep the records until it winds up its business activity. S.2123 also requires employers to provide a type of “mini employee handbook” to employees in each employee’s primary language. The information includes items such as: wage information, benefits, holiday information, sick time, and travel and expense policies. DataUSA reports that 22.4% of Rhode Island households report speaking a primary language other than English. While the most common non-English language spoken in Rhode Island is Spanish followed by Portuguese, there are reportedly forty-one languages spoken as a primary language in the State. Some families are fluent in both their primary language and English, others are not. This bill would require employers to be prepared to provide information in multiple languages, a very high burden for Rhode Island businesses. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2123.pdf Businesses in the warehouse industry are encouraged to submit testimony on S.2478, An Act Relating to Labor and Labor Relations – Warehouse Worker Protection Act. S.2478 requires employers in the warehousing industry to provide employees with a written description of quotas an employee is required to meet within a defined period and any penalties that could be levied as a result of failing to meet the quota. If the quota changes, employees must be notified within two business days of the change. Each time a penalty is levied, the employer must provide the employee with “an applicable quota.” It is unclear whether this last provision mentioned, refers to a written description of the failure to meet the quota established, or if an existing quota will have to be adjusted to meet the employee’s “under performance.” Section 28-60-4 of the bill states, “An employee shall not be required to meet a quota that prevents compliance with meal or rest periods or use of bathroom facilities, including reasonable travel time to and from bathroom facilities.” This language seems to imply that the employer must go to each station and attempt to determine how long a “reasonable person” would need to walk to the bathroom and back. As employees move around the warehouse, the employer would have to keep track of the constant location of the employee and re-calculate the time needed in order to avoid the penalties that are contained in S.2478 and to keep the necessary records outlined in S.2478. Under the bill, employers are required to keep records on the following items: (1) Each employee's own personal work speed data; (2) The aggregated work speed data for similar employees at the same establishment; and (3) The written descriptions of the quota such employee was provided. Lastly, S.2478 provides a private right of action by an employee for injunctive relief, costs and attorney’s fees. If the employer took any action that might be deemed to be retaliatory by the employee, the employer could be subject to penalties of $10,000 or three times the unpaid wages and benefits, whichever is greater. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2478.pdf Thursday, March 14th Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government Owners of certain multi-family residential properties should take note of S.2631, An Act Relating to property-Community Opportunity to Purchase Act. S.2631 will be heard in committee Thursday, at the Rise in room 212. This legislation creates a right of first offer for non-profit organizations wishing to purchase certain privately-owned real property with five or more residential rental units (whether or not the property also includes non-residential uses). Rhode Island Housing would be responsible for determining which nonprofit organizations qualify for this special treatment, and for posting a list of those entities on a website. Private owners of multi-family residential properties that were constructed twenty (20) years ago or more, would be required to notify eligible non-profits of the desire to sell the property prior to notifying the general public. The normal sales process could not begin until the initial notification is complete. Those non-profits are given at least sixty (60) days to submit offers to purchase. Every seller must submit a signed declaration of compliance with this proposed law within fifteen (15) days of the sale of the building. It is signed under penalty of perjury. Should the seller fail to file the declaration, the seller is subject to a fine of up to $5,000. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2631.pdf Testimony should be emailed to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov The following new bills have been filed: Senate Bill No. 2711 Bissaillon, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES (Prohibits credit reporting, executions, attachments against a principal residence for judgments based on medical debt. Defines medical debt as an amount for the receipt of health care services, products, or devices.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2711.pdf Senate Bill No. 2738 Kallman, Gu, DiMario, Miller, Valverde, LaMountain, Acosta, McKenney, Burke, AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TERMINATION OF SERVICE TO PERSONS WHO ARE DISABLED, SERIOUSLY ILL, OR IN ARREARS OF PAYMENT (Extends the forbearance of utility terminations for customers with serious illness certifications and would amend various provisions related to the termination of utility services for persons who are disabled, seriously ill, or in arrears.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2738.pdf Senate Bill No. 2772 (Secretary of State) Quezada, Mack, Zurier, Lauria, Tikoian, Ujifusa, AN ACT RELATING TO CORPORATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS -- UNIFORM PARTNERSHIP ACT (Requires certain limited liability partnership providing professional services to carry liability insurance.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2772.pdf Senate Bill No. 2783 Bissaillon, Burke, Mack, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY -- BENEFITS (Allows unemployment benefits for workers who are on strike or are locked out of their workplaces by their employer due to a labor dispute.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2783.pdf Senate Bill No. 2785 LaMountain, Bissaillon, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- LABOR RELATIONS ACT -- EMPLOYEE FREE SPEECH RIGHTS (Protects employees free speech regarding political or religious matters.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2785.pdf House Bill No. 7927 Solomon, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- TAXATION OF BANKS (Provides banks with an election to use the allocation and apportionment method of income for purposes of taxation.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7927.pdf House Bill No. 7928 Casey, Finkelman, Solomon, Phillips, Fenton-Fung, J. Brien, Chippendale, Dawson, Costantino, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- BUSINESS CORPORATION TAX (Repeals the corporation minimum tax.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7928.pdf House Bill No. 7929 Casey, Finkelman, Solomon, Phillips, J. Brien, Chippendale, Dawson, AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PERSONAL INCOME TAX (Authorizes a retroactive tax credit for tax yr 2022/thereafter/allowing investment tax credits to be passed through to the personal income tax returns of eligible Sub-S corporation shareholders/limited liability company members who meet certain conditions) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7929.pdf House Bill No. 7940 Voas, Alzate, Potter, Kazarian, Hull, Marszalkowski, DeSimone, Finkelman, Caldwell, Slater, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- SENIOR SAVINGS PROTECTION ACT (Prohibits the charging of any fees to a senior citizen who is 65 years of age or older for a hard-copy paper bill, invoice or statement. The violation of this provision would be a deceptive trade practice subject to a ($500) fine.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7940.pdf House Bill No. 7942 Craven, AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES (Makes any term or condition in any agreement that unnecessarily burdens a person's vindication of rights under this section null and void.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7942.pdf House Bill No. 7981 Giraldo, Speakman, Biah, Henries, Voas, Kislak, Batista, Diaz, Alzate, Kazarian, AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Amends the provisions relative to permitted uses within residential, industrial and commercial zoning use districts.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7981.pdf House Bill No. 8044 Hull, J. Lombardi, Fogarty, Handy, Shallcross Smith, Ajello, Ackerman, Slater, Azzinaro, Bennett, AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- WORKPLACE PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY ACT (Protects bullying/psychological abuse in workplace inflicted upon employees by employers/co-employees/provides civil remedies to affected employees/fines against employers/imprisonment/fines against co-employees.) http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H8044.pdf |
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