Rhode Island Legislative Update March 2021 A “TRYING” LEGISLATIVE SESSION

There have been many executive, legislative, and procedural changes so far this year. The General Assembly took an unfortunate strong swing to the left politically as a result of the November 2020 elections. This is particularly true in the Senate and fortunately, to date, less so in the House, but the change in political and The following legislative policy is so apparent. report is from Former Lieutenant Governor Daniel J. McKee was sworn in on March 3, 2021 replacing former Governor RILBMDA Lobbyist, Gina Raimondo. Because of this change, there are numerous new Executive branch officials from Chief of Terry Martiesian Staff to Policy Director and so on. Most Department Directors under the Raimondo Administration remain, of Martiesian & at least for the present. Soon Rhode Island will have a new Lt. Governor Sabina Matos who was nominated Associates. by Governor McKee from an original list of more than 80 applicants.

Rhode Island has taken a giant step to the left with an increasingly Progressive Democratic Party and virtually no Republican Party. The General Assembly has made up for lost time holding session 5 days a week and not its usual 3 with some hearings going to midnight hour and beyond. The first round of Take hearings are near completion and most legislation has been introduced. It has been difficult from an Action! advocacy perspective because all hearings are virtual and lack the usual questions and answers on a Sign up to particular piece of legislation. Also, individual meetings are too held virtually. be an NRLA Advocate by The legalization of recreational marijuana will eventually be legal in our state but the Senate and Governor texting the have vastly different proposals. The Governor’s proposal is a Budget Article. Employers contend that, if word “NRLA” to enacted, it must have protections for several types of employment such as working in a lumberyard, 52886. including adopting a drug free employment policy, meaningful drug testing, workers’ compensation protection, and so on. It’s quick and easy, and will Dignity at work (S-196) proposes to provide workers with more protection from bulling and harassment in let you reach the workplace. This bill is well meaning but would place employers in an extremely difficult position with your legislators resulting lawsuits. It is vague in language and subject to different interpretations, i.e. interpersonal through email, interactions, management actions or “other types of objectionable behavior,” 'overbearing levels of phone, or social supervision," ignoring someone, gossiping, etc. Let’s be clear, we do not support bullying but there is no media with just protection here for the employer and it allows a private right of action. a few simple clicks. S-270 – Fair Employment Practices would require equal pay for comparable work, i.e. intended to address wage discrimination based on one’s sex. Your Association strongly supports equality in the workplace and efforts to eliminate wage disparities based on gender, race, and ethnicity. However, there is no clear Did You definition of “comparable.” Know? I want to remind all to be active when you receive notices for a call to action by your Association because of The lumber pending legislation. You must immediately follow up because the opposition will be responding to its calls and building to action. It is up to you!! Lastly, please don’t forget your Association’s Annual RILBMDA Virtual Lobby Day materials on May 19, 2021. industry has annual taxable wages of $147,908,151 in R.I.

Questions? Please contact Kirk Ives, Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, at 518-880-6376 or [email protected]. nrla.org

Please contact Kirk Ives, Director of Government Affairs at 518-880-6376 or [email protected].