Commerce

RI - Senator Robert Britto (D)

Title:

Chair

RI - Senator Roger A. Picard (D)

Title:

Vice Chair

RI - Senator V. Susan Sosnowski (D)

Title:

Vice Chair

RI - Senator Samuel W. Bell (D)

Title:

Secretary

RI - Senator Hanna M. Gallo (D)

Title:

Member

RI - Senator Meghan E. Kallman (D)

Title:

Member

RI - Senator Anthony P. DeLuca II (R)

Title:

Member

RI - Senator Tiara T. Mack (D)

Title:

Member

RI - Senator Victoria Gu (D)

Title:

Member

RI - Senator Elaine J. Morgan (R)

Title:

Member

RI - Senator Ryan W. Pearson (D)

Title:

Member

RI - Senator David P. Tikoian (D)

Title:

Member

RI - SB2035 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET-METERING (Allows a property owner with eligible net-metering systems with a master meter to allocate excess net metering credits to any meter on the property.)

RI - SB2036 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (Directs PUC to extend utility termination moratorium for gas/electricity from April 15 to May 1, of each year with discretion to respond to emergency/ economic conditions/customers needs.)

RI - SB2037 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT (State websites to comply with WCAG 2.2 standards by July 1, 2026.)

RI - SB2090 AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- REAL ESTATE SALES DISCLOSURES (Requires radon testing within one year of any residential real estate transaction and the installation of a radon mitigation system if unsafe radon levels are present, at the seller's expense.)

RI - SB2140 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- CONSUMER CREDIT HISTORY EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION ACT -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES (Prohibits employers from seeking/using credit reports in making hiring decisions concerning prospective employees, asking questions about the applicant's financial past during interviews or including credit history questions in their job applications.)

RI - SB2141 AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- LICENSED ACTIVITIES -- LENDERS AND LOAN BROKERS -- CHECK CASHING (Repeals the provisions of the general laws allowing deferred deposit providers, also known as "payday lenders.")

RI - SB2184 AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT (Adopts model legislation facilitating the interstate practice of regulated social workers.)

RI - SB2264 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- TAXICABS AND LIMITED PUBLIC MOTOR VEHICLES (Amends requirements regarding how taxicabs can be placed in service.)

RI - SB2265 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES (Provide that advertising goods that don't include a price referencing all mandatory fees and charges shall be a deceptive trade practice.)

RI - SB2266 AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- SOLAR PANELS (Requires that all sales representatives selling or leasing solar panels are licensed by the department of business regulation and that a statement be provided to homeowners setting forth pertinent information pertaining to the solar panels.)

RI - SB2267 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- COVID-19 PANDEMIC INSURANCE RECOVERY ACT (Allows businesses that had an insurance policy in place for business interruption as of March 9, 2020 to recover from their insurance companies for a COVID-19 business impact.)

RI - SB2268 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- GROCERY STORES (Requires grocery stores to specifically limit the number of self-service checkout units to six (6) units per location. The consumer protection unit of the department of attorney general would have authority to enforce these restrictions.)

RI - SB2269 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- CASUALTY INSURANCE RATING (Prevents insurance companies from treating widowed persons differently than married persons when establishing or maintaining an insured's rate or classification respecting the operation of a personal motor vehicle. Effective 1/1/25.)

RI - SB2270 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INSURERS' REHABILITATION AND LIQUIDATION ACT (Provides that no person, for over ten days, shall be restricted from enforcing a right under any pledge, security, credit, guarantee agreement, arrangement or other agreement credit enhancement to which a federal home loan bank is a party.)

RI - SB2271 AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HOTELS (Extends the current provisions relative to certain rights of innkeepers and eliminates the sunsetting of such sections thereby preserving the law as it currently exists.)

RI - SB2272 AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- CITY OF NEWPORT -- ELECTRIC BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS (Enables the Newport city council to enact ordinances related to the operation of e-bikes and e-scooters.)

RI - SB2273 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES (Requires businesses that offer automatic subscription renewals/continuous service offers to provide consumers with notice to the consumer prior to their engagement in the contract along with notice of renewal of subscription/cancellation info. eff. 1/1/25)

RI - SB2274 AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VITAL RECORDS (Requires the division of vital records to ensure that the records are accessible to the local registrars and grant local registrars the authority to issue certified copies of certificates and records.)

RI - SB2275 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTEREST AND USURY (Allows Rhode Island to opt out of provisions of Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 which allow financial institutions chartered in states other than Rhode Island to be exempt from interest rate limits set by RI.)

RI - SB2276 AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- VEHICLE BARRIERS-THE CHARLOTTE A. VACCA ACT (Requires commercial property owners to install vehicle barriers at their retail establishment locations when construction/renovations are being done and permits insurers to consider the installation to provide a discount on the owner's insurance policy.)

RI - SB2277 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2025 BATTERY-POWERED LEAF BLOWER PILOT REBATE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM (Establishes a new chapter for the 2024 Battery Powered Leaf Blower Pilot Rebate and Education Program.)

RI - SB2278 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.)

RI - SB2279 AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- CONSUMER CHECKING ACCOUNTS (Establishes Rhode Island consumer checking accounts to insure the availability of low-cost, low-volume basic checking services for citizens of the state.)

RI - SB2489 AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- LENDERS AND LOAN BROKERS (Removes the licensing exemption for a lender that originates six (6) loans or less in twelve (12) consecutive months.)

RI - HB7612 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (Requires school districts to provide the parent/guardian of a student with an individualized education program (IEP) with information concerning the achieving a better life experience (ABLE) account program benefits and the program application process.)

RI - SB2499 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS ACT (Creates the financial frame work for incentivizing energy storage systems.)

RI - SB2500 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- RHODE ISLAND DATA TRANSPARENCY AND PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT (Creates the Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protect Act for data privacy protections for the personal data of the citizens of Rhode Island.)

RI - SB2501 AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- LAND SURVEYORS (Grants a right of entry for professional land surveyors to enter upon or cross any lands, air space or water resources necessary to perform surveying services except public utility and/or wastewater treatment facilities upon prior notice.)

RI - SR2502 JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCY

RI - SB2503 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES (Prohibits misrepresentation of the total costs of goods and services by omission of notification to consumers of any mandatory fees from advertised prices and failure to disclose the nature and purpose of any fees.)

RI - SB2504 AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- CURRENCY TRANSMISSIONS -- VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSKS (Establishes guidelines for the operation of virtual currency (crypto) kiosks.)

RI - SB2505 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.)

RI - SB2506 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (Requires the public utilities commission (PUC) to produce a report by January 1, 2025 and each January 1 thereafter, on the ability for the current electric grid to handle the electrification load need to power cars, buildings, and heating of homes.)

RI - SB2507 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY FAIRNESS IN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES (Expands the duties of the small business ombudsman, by also having the ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island commerce corporation's small business advocate.)

RI - SB2508 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND COMMERCE CORPORATION -- RHODE ISLAND -- IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION (Establishes trade commission to advance economic interests of Rhode Island and Ireland.)

RI - SB2509 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD (Requires the PUC to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information.)

RI - SR2510 SENATE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING RHODE ISLAND ENERGY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR NEW, MULTI-YEAR ELECTRIC VEHICLE PROGRAMMING

RI - SB2511 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES (Provides that gift certificates issued by state-chartered institutions of higher education would be exempt from the provisions of the gift certificate statute relating to expiration, escheatment, reissuance and refund.)

RI - SB2702 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DIGITAL ASSET KEYS--PROHIBITION OF PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE KEYS (Prohibits the compelled production of a private key as it relates to a digital asset, digital identity or other interest or right.)

RI - HB7906 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS (Extends teacher certifications without fee or penalty for three (3) or five (5) years for teachers who hold certifications as of July 1, 2024.)

RI - SB2709 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- MEDICAL DEBT REPORTING (Prohibits hospitals and other medical providers from reporting medical debt to consumer reporting agencies. A violation of this chapter may be pursued on behalf of the consumer by the attorney general.)

RI - SB2710 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- INTEREST AND USURY (Provides an interest rate cap on medical debt.)

RI - SB2711 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.)

RI - SB2736 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- OPERATION OF RAILROADS GENERALLY (Provides that no train or light engine would be used in connection with the movement of freight could be operated unless it had a crew consisting of at least 2 persons, would also include the imposition of fines upon a company for violation of the act.)

RI - SB2737 AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- THE RHODE ISLAND SPECIAL DEPOSITS ACT (Establishes the Rhode Island Special Deposits Act to be governed by an account agreement between the bank and the depositor or its beneficiary.)

RI - SB2738 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.)

RI - SB2739 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- FILING OF ASSUMED NAME (Changes the term "assumed name" to "trade name" and centralizes the filing, administration and regulation process of trade names to the secretary of state and also requires an annual renewal of the trade name.)

RI - SB2740 AN ACT RELATING TO AERONAUTICS -- AIRPORTS AND LANDING FIELDS (Designates the appropriate authority on air space issues as the president and CEO of the Rhode Island airport corporation and aligns certain job titles with their proper responsibilities relative to aeronautics.)

RI - SB2798 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PRODUCER LICENSING ACT (Amends provisions re insurance producer appointments and clarifies language re insurance claims adjusters. Amends the RI life & health guarantee assoc act. Adds insurance data security and pet insurance acts and unfair discrimination prohibitions.)

RI - SB2799 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- DENTAL INSURANCE LOSS RATIO REPORTING AND STUDY ACT (Requires dental health insurance carriers to file an actuarial memorandum disclosing its incurred claims/earned premiums, to assist the health insurance commissioner with respect to a study report/recommendations regarding a dental insurance loss ratio.)

RI - SB2800 AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- INTERSTATE COMPACT ON INDUSTRIALIZED/MODULAR BUILDINGS (Repeals the Interstate Compact on Industrialized/Modular Buildings in its entirety.)

RI - SB2801 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY DISCLOSURE AND HOMEOWNERS BILL OF RIGHTS ACT (Repeals the "Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowners Bill of Rights Act." Amends title 5 "Businesses and Professions" to include a new chapter 93, an amended "Residential Solar Energy Disclosure and Homeowners Bill of Rights Act.")

RI - SB2802 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- EXAMINATIONS (Amends the statutory provisions regarding domestic and foreign insurers and insurer examinations to provide provisions with regard to cybersecurity events involving Rhode Island consumers.)

RI - SB2803 AN ACT RELATING TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS -- POWERS AND OPERATIONS (Amends outdated provisions of the banking statutes and the home loan protection act, adds consumer protections, including minimum capital requirements and limits on investments, for currency transmitters, including crypto currency.)

RI - SB2804 AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINALS -- CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS -- PRISONER MADE GOODS (Allows correctional industries to conduct business for goods or services with any 501(c)(3) and would require customers of correctional industries to pay fifty present (50%) of an order upon the placement of the order.)

RI - SB2807 AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SHEILA C. "SKIP" NOWELL ACADEMY (Provides for changes to the operating structure of the Nowell Academy establishing a cooperative agreement among school districts.)

RI - SB2812 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PET INSURANCE ACT (Enacts a chapter to regulate pet insurance.)

RI - SB2840 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.)

RI - SB2841 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY (Amends the composition of the small business advisory council.)

RI - SB2944 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS (Increases the penalties for public utilities for violations of the general law governing the duties of utilities and carriers.)

RI - SB2972 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES (Establishes general caseload limits for DCYF workers similar to those contained in the Council on Accreditation standards.)

RI - SB2982 AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES AND RESERVES (Replaces the term "the drug naloxone" with the term "opioid antagonist" in chapters regulating life insurance policies and group life insurance policies.)

RI - SB2985 AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- COUNCIL ON THE ARTS (Establishes a Rhode Island creative futures fund in the amount of eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000).)

RI - SR3026 JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,000,000 TO THE ELISHA PROJECT (This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $2,000,000 to the Elisha Project.)

RI - SB3066 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (Changes utility company billing practices so that when a gas electric utility changes their customer billing, they would be required to file a copy of the new bill with the PUC for approval, with a complete explanation of the changes.)