STATE HOUSE – The R.I. General Assembly convened yesterday morning for brief sessions in which the House and Senate considered a total of 10 measures, not counting a resolution of adjournment.
Introduced in both chambers were:
• Resolutions extending the legislature’s condolences on the death from cancer of Sally Jane Rainville. The Senate version (S-2000) was recommended for immediate consideration, while the House version (H-7005) was read and passed.
Rainville, a business teacher at West Warwick High School since 1989, was a daughter of former state Rep. William L. “Bud” Alves and Ann M. Alves of West Warwick, and a sister of state Sen. Stephen D. Alves.
• “An act to vacate the forfeiture or revocation of the charter of Heritage Remodeling Ltd.,” should the company file all required state tax returns and reports, and pay all state taxes and fees. The twin measures were sponsored by Rep. Jan Malik and Rep. Douglas W. Gablinski (H-7001) and Sen. Walter S. Felag (S-2001); the House version was placed on the calendar for consideration today.
Also introduced yesterday were:
• A resolution proclaiming the second Tuesday in January, in perpetuity, to be “Professional Pet-Assisted Therapy Awareness Day” in the State of Rhode Island (H-7008), which was read and passed.
• A joint resolution honoring longtime state employee Marion DePalma – most recently, chief of staff to the Senate majority leader – on the occasion of her retirement. The measure (H-7010) was read and passed.
• A House resolution honoring Anissa Poland – proprietor for more than four decades of Anissa’s Children’s Shop in Warren – on the occasion of her retirement (H-7004), which was read and passed.
• A resolution extending until July 1 the expiration date of the special House commission established last May to study potential administrative and functional improvements at the Rhode Island Veterans’ Home in Bristol (H-7003), which was read and passed.
• A resolution creating a special House study commission to develop a master plan for the Rhode Island Veterans’ Home (H-7002), which was read and passed.
• “An act approving project status for Shipwreck Falls Resort/Rhode Island L.P.,” a hotel and indoor water park in West Warwick (H-7007), which was referred to the House Finance Committee.
• “An act relating to education,” renaming the R.I. Student Investment Initiative in honor of state Rep. Paul W. Crowley (H-7009), which was read and passed.
• “An act relating to courts and civil procedure,” which would allow persons serving in R.I. Superior Court or Family Court as chief judge, presiding justice or magistrate to be appointed for 10-year terms. The measure (H-7006) was referred to the House Finance Committee.
Additional information on the R.I. General Assembly, including the House and Senate daily calendars and listings of measures introduced each day, is available at rilin.state.ri.us.
