Rhode Island General Assembly

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5299; text: CR S5273)

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5299; text: CR S5272-5273)

This bill extends two existing public health programs focused on tick-borne diseases through 2030. It updates the funding timeline for national vector-borne disease centers and health department support from 2021-2025 to 2026-2030. The bill does not change program content or eligibility but ensures continued funding for efforts addressing tick-related illnesses. It directly affects public health agencies administering these programs, not specific individuals.

This bill waives a 60-day notice requirement to allow for the posthumous promotion of Captain Cody Khork of the United States Army to the rank of major. The legislation directly affects the Army's personnel procedures by removing a standard administrative delay in this specific case. It does not change broader military promotion rules but creates an exception for Captain Khork's recognition. The bill is a procedural measure that facilitates an honorary rank adjustment without altering existing laws for other service members.

Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act This bill reauthorizes and modifies administration of Marine Debris Program (MDP) activities and the Marine Debris Foundation. (The program and the foundation support efforts to assess, prevent, and otherwise address marine debris and its adverse impacts on the U.S. economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety.) First, the bill reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Marine Debris Program through FY2029. The bill authorizes NOAA to provide contributions for MDP project costs on an in-kind basis in an amount that NOAA determines represents the value it derives from the project. The bill also authorizes NOAA to enter into agreements other than cooperative agreements, contracts, and grant agreements for projects. Next, the bill modifies requirements for the Marine Debris Foundation and reauthorizes it for FY2025. Among other changes, the bill designates the current Chief Operating Officer (i.e., the first officer or employee appointed by the board) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and specifies that the board has the authority to appoint, review the performance of, and remove the CEO. The bill authorizes the CEO to appoint, supervise, and remove foundation employees and officers. Further, the bill directs the foundation to develop and implement best practices for conducting outreach to Indian tribes and tribal governments. The foundation must locate its principal office in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community. Finally, the bill authorizes the foundation to match contributions from regional organizations, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and foreign governments.

Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act This act provides for the award of Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team in recognition of the team's achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.

This bill amends the federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association, updating its governance structure and operational rules. Key changes include redefining the board of directors as the governing body, shifting membership eligibility to be governed by bylaws, and adding strict restrictions: prohibiting political activities, stock issuance, dividends, and asset distributions to members during the charter's life. The bill also requires assets to be distributed per bylaws upon dissolution and eliminates the requirement for the foundation to maintain its principal office in Washington, D.C. As a procedural charter amendment, it directly affects the Foundation’s internal operations without creating new government programs or policies.