Authorizes the town of Smithfield to provide a tax credit for any person with paraplegia and who by reason of the paraplegic disability requires specially adapted housing.
SB 266 temporarily removes the requirement for clinical social workers to pass a standardized exam to obtain a license, effective immediately until August 15, 2025. This directly affects new applicants seeking clinical social worker licensure in Rhode Island. The bill also directs the licensing board to develop language accommodations and alternative qualification pathways to improve access for diverse communities. After August 15, 2025, the previous exam requirement will resume unless further action is taken.
Authorizes the city of Woonsocket to levy a tax for its fiscal year at a rate of five and one-half percent (5.5%) in excess of the amount levied and certified by the city for the prior year.
Eliminates the "until June 30, 2025" sunset on the increase in the total amount of earnings a partial-unemployment insurance claimant can receive before being entirely disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits.
SB 721 repeals the law that established the Capital Center Commission, a special development district commission for downtown Providence, Rhode Island. This bill removes the legal framework that allowed the commission to manage development, levy special assessments on property owners, and oversee projects like parking, streetscapes, and public services in the downtown area. The repeal directly affects the commission itself, ending its authority to operate under the existing statute. The bill does not create new policy but formally dissolves the commission's governing structure.
Empowers the division of motor vehicles to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
SB 980 increases Block Island's landing fee from $0.50 to $1.00 per passenger over 12 arriving by boat. The funds collected (after collection expenses) must support health/safety services, tourism facilities, and managing tourism growth. The town can authorize boat carriers or marinas to collect the fee as part of passenger rates without needing utility commission approval.
HB 6230 authorizes the issuance of a Class BV liquor license for a specific property at 865 Westminster Street in Providence, exempting it from standard restrictions that typically prohibit liquor licenses within 200 feet of schools or places of worship. This targeted exception applies only to the business located at that address, allowing it to operate under a retail liquor license despite proximity to protected areas. The bill amends existing law to create this specific exemption for the property, without altering the general licensing rules for other locations. It is a procedural bill focused solely on this single location, not a broad policy change.
Empowers the division of motor vehicles to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
SB 756 grants a specific exemption for a Class B liquor license at 865 Westminster Street in Providence, allowing a business to operate there despite standard restrictions near schools or churches. This bill directly affects the owner of that property by overriding proximity rules that would normally block such a license. It does not change general licensing rules but creates a one-time exception for this single location. The exemption applies only to the specified property and does not impact other license applications or existing regulations.
HB 5306 repeals the law establishing the Capital Center Commission, a special development district commission for downtown Providence. This bill removes the legal framework that allowed the commission to manage development projects, collect special assessments from property owners, and oversee improvements like parking, landscaping, and public services within the downtown district. The repeal eliminates the commission's authority without creating new policies or affecting current development activities. As a procedural bill, it directly affects the governance structure for downtown Providence's development efforts.
HB 6246 increases the landing fee for passengers over 12 arriving by boat on Block Island (New Shoreham) from $0.50 to $1.00 per person. This fee applies to all public or private boat arrivals and can be collected by the town or through agreements with boat carriers and marinas. Funds collected, minus collection costs, must be used for tourism infrastructure, emergency services, and managing tourism growth impacts. The bill does not affect passengers receiving free transportation from public utilities.
