Supplemental budget, limited other bills to be voted on
STATE HOUSE — The House and Senate are planning to hold session Wednesday and Thursday to consider a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year as well as a limited number of other bills.
The FY20 supplemental budget bill would address the approximately $235 million shortfall in the current-year budget that must be addressed before the end of the fiscal year June 30. The bill addresses only the budget shortfall, no new policy initiatives. The House and Senate Finance committees have held several hearings in recent weeks assessing the shortfall and potential solutions.
The House Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing Tuesday to consider amendments to the supplemental budget bill (2020-H 7170), which was introduced in January. The amendments, which will be posted on the General Assembly website by Monday at 3 p.m., are to address updated budget conditions.
The House will meet Wednesday to address a limited number of other bills, and again Thursday to consider the supplemental budget bill.
The Senate has scheduled session Wednesday for consideration of appointments as well as limited other bills, and Thursday for consideration of the amended supplemental budget bill, which is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday.
The General Assembly is expected to return to session at a later date to address the FY21 budget. Proceedings on that bill have been delayed to account for information on federal funding related to COVID-19, expected to be known in July.
The schedule this week will be:
MONDAY, JUNE 15:
The House Municipal Government Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in the House Lounge to consider bills. Testimony may be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The House Health, Education and Welfare Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in the House Lounge for a discussion about the COVID-19 public health crisis with Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will meet at 4 p.m. in the Senate Lounge. The agenda will include a resolution sponsored by Senator Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) to establish a Senate task force examining the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights. Additionally, the committee will hear a pair of bills submitted on behalf of Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office related to the Hospital Conversion Act and civil investigative demands in instances of violations of civil rights, as well as routine bills related to solemnization of marriage. Testimony may be submitted to at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
The House Finance Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 35 to consider the amended supplemental budget bill. Testimony may be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Senate Finance Committee will meet at 4 p.m.in the Senate Lounge to review revisions to the supplemental budget proposal. In addition, the Senate Finance Committee will hear and/or consider legislation requested by the League of Cities & Towns pertaining to local budget operations during a state of emergency, as well as local bills and a treasury appointment. Testimony may be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
The House will meet at 3 p.m. to consider bills that have been approved by the House Finance, Judiciary and Municipal Government committees. The floor calendar will be posted on Monday.
The Senate will meet at 4 p.m. to consider appointments and matters passed by the Senate committees over the past several weeks.
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
The House will meet at 3 p.m. to consider the supplemental budget, assuming approval by the Finance Committee on Tuesday. The House will stand ready to receive matters from the Senate.
The Senate will meet at 5 p.m. to consider the revised supplemental budget proposal and additional business from the House.
The sessions and hearing will be televised on Capitol Television, which can be seen on Cox on Channels 15 and 61, in high definition on Cox Channel 1061, on Full Channel on Channel 15 and on Channel 34 by Verizon subscribers. They are also live-streamed at www.rilegislature.gov/CapTV.
Due to COVID-19, the State House remains closed to the public, so only legislators, staff, members of the news media and visitors on official business are permitted into the building.
Plexiglass enclosures are being installed to shield the front and sides of each legislator’s desk. While members are not being required to wear masks while in their desk enclosures, they are being required to wear them elsewhere in the building and are being asked to practice safe social distancing. They are also being encouraged to watch the proceedings in offices throughout the building during longer debates and to return to the chamber to vote or speak. Enhanced sanitization of work areas is being performed.
