These are bills that I submitted during 2004 which best exemplify the needs for legislation to improve Rhode Island education, to grow our economy, to conserve our environment, and to engage citizens in shaping our own future:
H 7131—RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS. This act would allow those with pharmaceutical health insurance benefits to choose their own pharmacy.
H 7140—RELATING TO EDUCATION - - UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND. This "Land Grant" bill would support URI environmental and agricultural research and extension education by authorizing additional state funds to match annual federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, providing a means to match state to federal funds at a rate required by the federal government, without having to take them from other areas of the University. Such line-item funding is the norm in most states.
H 7157—CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN. This commission is to promote and develop a comprehensive system of education for visually impaired children that includes early child screening, development, and K-12 instruction.
H 7246—RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND CARBON FUEL REDUCTION AND AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ACT. This act would create a new chapter in the general laws directing DEM to develop plans for fossil fuel and greenhouse gas reduction and would exempt from taxation certain alternative energy equipment.
H 8205—RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- FAMILY INDEPENDENCE ACT. This act would provide that fifty dollars ($50.00) of child support paid by a noncustodial be provided to the family of children receiving cash assistance from the family independence program.
H 8300—CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO PROMOTE, DEVELOP AND ARTICULATE A PUBLIC SCIENCE SCHOOL FOR GRADES 6-12 ALIGNED WITH HIGHER EDUCATION. This resolution would create a special legislative commission to promote, develop and articulate a public science school for grades 6-12 aligned with higher education.
H 8359—RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND BAYS AND WATERSHEDS COORDINATION TEAM. This act would establish the Rhode Island Bays and Watersheds Coordination Team to promote multi-state and multi-agency coordination in the management, restoration, protection and development of the state's bays and watersheds. The act would also provide for the establishment of several committees to assist the coordination team in the performance of its duties.
H 8692—CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE STATUS OF THE STATE'S POLICY FORMULATION FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES. This resolution would create a special House commission to study state policy for sustainable fisheries, focusing on the role of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council; to examine and evaluate the effectiveness of fishery management models used in other places; and to review recommendations on fisheries management from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy.
H 8703—CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE COMMISSION TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF AQUACULTURE AND SEAFOOD COMMERCE. This resolution would create a special House commission to develop, promote and stimulate a comprehensive system of aquaculture and seafood commerce.