Woonsocket Radio News Room

State House view from the southThis week at the

General Assembly

 

STATE HOUSE — Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly this week. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease

 

 

§  Senate adopts McKenney rule change to post committee testimony online
The Senate passed legislation introduced by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) adopting its rules for the 2025-26 session. The resolution (2025-S 0594) requires the online posting of written testimony received by Senate committees, similar to the process for the House of Representatives and joint legislative committees.
Click here to see news release.

 

§  House OKs bill to protect students’ privacy when using technology for school
The House approved legislation (2025-H 5176A) sponsored by Rep. June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol) to regulate when public schools, school districts or third parties such as software providers can activate or access audio, video or recordings on public school students’ institutional or personal electronic devices. The bill now heads to the Senate, where Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown) is sponsoring companion legislation (2025-S 0232). 
Click here to see news release.

§  Senate passes Rogers bill on municipal sidewalk maintenance

The Senate passed legislation (2025-S 0057) introduced by Senate Minority Whip Gordon E. Rogers (R-Dist. 21, Foster, Coventry, Scituate, West Greenwich) that would require that all maintenance of sidewalks along state highways, with the exception of snow and ice removal, be the responsibility of the state.  The legislation now heads to the House, where Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket) is sponsoring companion legislation (2025-H 5393).

Click here to see news release.

 

§  Senate OKs bill that would allow Warwick to create a school budget commission
The Senate passed legislation (2025-S 0242) introduced by Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick) that would allow the city of Warwick to create a five-member commission to oversee the operations of Warwick Public Schools and present a preliminary analysis of the school district’s financial situation. The measure now moves to the House, which passed identical legislation (2025-H 5252A) introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston).
Click here to see news release.

 

  • RIBLIA Caucus announces 2025 legislative priorities
    The Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian-American and Pacific Islander (RIBLIA) Caucus released its 2025 legislative policy agenda Tuesday at a press conference at the State House. The caucus is chaired by Sen. Tiara T. Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence) and Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence).

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Sen. Raptakis introduces ‘Cleaning Up RI’ legislative package

Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich) has reintroduced the “Cleaning Up RI” legislative package.  The first part of the package is legislation (2025-S 0139) that would stiffen the penalties for unsanctioned graffiti.  The second bill (2025-S 0130) would increase the fines and community service requirements for littering.  Rep. Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry) is expected to introduce both bills in the House.

Click here to see news release.

 

  • Ujifusa, Cortvriend sponsor resolution seeking reversal of executive orders
    Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) and Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown) have introduced resolutions in their respective chambers calling on Rhode Island’s federal delegation to demand immediate reversal of President Donald Trump’s actions harming critical health and safety programs in the United States and worldwide.
    Click here to see news release.

 

  • Legislative leaders talk economy with Chamber of Commerce

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), Senate Majority Leader Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence), House Majority Leader Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence), Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz (R-Dist. 23, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) joined the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce Wednesday at its annual legislative luncheon for a discussion on legislative matters, the state budget and the economy.

 

§  Fogarty hosts celebration at State House in honor of International Women’s Day
Putting a spotlight on the smart, driven women of Rhode Island, Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown) hosted a celebration of the United Nations-recognized International Women’s Day Tuesday Joining in the speaking program were Sen. Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) and Rep. Justine A. Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich).
Click here to see news release.

[[ watch for updates ]]        Lawyers for the Trump administration are going before an appeals court currently to argue in favor of Trump's efforts to deport Venezuelan nationals with the Alien Enemies Act. The DC Court of Appeals is listening to arguments from both sides as the Trump administration filed to reverse Judge James Boasberg's temporary restraining order that blocked the White House from deporting people under the hardly used wartime law. The judge ordered any flights in the air to be turned around but some still landed in El Salvador.        Crews in the Carolinas are fighting multiple wildfires that have burned hundreds of acres. The Table Rock fire in South Carolina started Friday and has burned 13-hundred acres with zero containment. In North Carolina, two wildfires are burning uncontained in the western part of the state.        The White House is claiming Mahmoud Khalil covered up his work for a United Nations agency in his application to become a permanent resident. Khalil is a legal immigrant and a former Columbia University student being targeted after participating in pro-Palestinian protests. The Trump administration is detaining him under a law that allows the Secretary of State to declare someone a risk to the nation's interests. DOJ lawyers accuse Khalil for working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the relief agency for Palestinian refugees.        U.S. and Russian diplomats are meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. is looking to negotiate a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea before moving on to a more comprehensive agreement. The meeting comes a day after U.S. officials met with their Ukrainian counterparts in efforts to eventually end the three-year-old war launched by Moscow.        President Trump is not pleased with his official portrait in the Colorado State Capitol building. On Sunday, Trump made a Truth Social post ripping the portrait, calling it "purposefully distorted," among other things. Trump is blaming the portrait on the state's Democratic Governor Jared Polis, calling on him to "take it down," and says the governor "should be ashamed of himself." But, it was actually Republicans who led efforts to get Trump's portrait hanging in the state capitol starting in 2018.        The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is down to the Sweet 16. All four one-seeds are still alive as Auburn, Duke, Florida and Houston have each cruised through the first two rounds. Six-seed BYU is making its first appearance in the regional semifinal round since 2011 while Michigan State is making its 16th trip to the Sweet 16 under head coach Tom Izzo.       

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