New bill introductions have slowed down significantly. We added just one new bill to the tracker this week, HB6357, which creates green justice zones to further environmental justice for traditionally underserved RI communities. That bill has been added to our Equity and Justice track.
There are eleven food system-related bills being reviewed by committees this week. Those of particular interest to RI Food Policy Council workgroups are in bold. Also, one food system-related bill is up for vote in the Senate this week, and this is listed last.
Tracked bills being reviewed in committee this week
- SB708: requires certain farm, forest or open space property that is developed for renewable energy production to be withdrawn from FFOS classification (Sen. Sosnowski), Senate Finance, Tues May 9, agenda here.
- SB862: exempts urban and small farmers (farms on 5 acres or less) from sales taxes, real, tangible and personal property taxes and income taxes (Sen. Mack), Senate Finance, Tuesday May 9.
- HB5397: exempts from the sales and use tax the sale of beer and malt beverages at retail (Rep. Baginski), House Finance, Tuesday May 9, agenda here.
- HB5476: exempts from the sales and use tax the sale of animal supplies, food and related products (Rep. O’Brien), House Finance, Tuesday May 9.
- SB68: requires free lunches to be provided for all elementary and secondary students attending public schools to the extent state and federal funds are available (Sen. Cano), Senate Education, Wednesday May 10, agenda here.
- SB71: requires free breakfast and lunches to be provided for all elementary and secondary students attending public schools (Sen. Acosta), Senate Education, Wednesday May 10.
- HB5471: bans state purchases of plastic bottles, bags and polystyrene and requires state purchase and/or leasing of alternative fueled vehicles and renewable energy efficient technologies on state property (Rep. Boylan), House Finance, Thursday May 11, agenda here.
- HB6105: appropriates $500,000 per fiscal year for climate change and ocean protection workforce development (Rep. Cortvriend), House Finance, Thursday May 11.
- HB6106: appropriates $500,000 per fiscal year for climate change and ocean protection education (Rep. Cortvriend), House Finance, Thursday May 11.
- HB6293: amends the utility base rate statute to include clean transportation, clean heating, and energy storage (Rep. Cortvriend), House Finance, Thursday May 11.
- HB5902: increases the criminal penalties for wage theft and employee misclassification (Rep. Craven), House Judiciary, Thursday May 11, agenda here.
Tracked bills up for vote this week
SB418: requires conservation restrictions to be liberally interpreted in favor of the grants awarded (Sen. DiPalma), Senate vote, Tuesday May 9.
The RIFPC Bill Tracker is a reference, covering all legislation affecting the Rhode Island food system and all topics of interest to Council Members. The Tracker is updated daily during the legislative session (January-June), and organized by major impact areas.