No
Wine at Markets, No Sharps in Trash, No Big Pets
By
TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI.org
News staff
The
House and Senate also passed an override of a veto by Gov. Lincoln Chafee on a bill (pdf) exempting property owners in Warwick
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Here are the environmental bills that passed:
Paint. The
House and Senate approved legislation (pdf) for disposal of unused paint
products at paint stores. The program would be funded through a fee on the sale
of paint.
Children's jewelry, but not toys or clothes, would conform to national safety standards
in a bill (pdf)
passed by the House and Senate.
Paper and packaging. A nine-member commission has a year to study (pdf)
methods for cutting paper and packaging waste in order to extend the life of
the Central Landfill in Johnston
Climate change.
The House and Senate passed a bill (pdf)
that places an advisory council under the Coastal Resources Management Council
(CRMC) as part of the Climate Risk Reduction Act of 2010.
Medical sharps. Legislation (pdf) passed requiring hospitals and
pharmacies to provide disposal of medical sharps, such as syringes and epi-pens
and other sharp medical instruments.
Landfill. Three
bills passed in response to last year's odor crisis at the Central
Landfill. Paper, glass, wood, food waste, plaster, drywall and leaves are
banned from the daily cover of the landfill in a bill (pdf)
that aims to reduce items suspected of contributing to the problem.
Terms (pdf)
of an existing but inactive citizens advisory board at the Rhode Island
Resource Recovery Corporation were revised to address governance at the Central
Landfill. The thirdbill (pdf)
requires the installation of six air-monitoring stations that must be built
near the landfill to gauge odors.
Court action on land trust property. The Senate and the House both passed guidelines(pdf) defining which entities
can challenge conservation restrictions on land trust properties.
Pets. Those
weighing less than 35 pounds will be allowed (pdf)
at state campgrounds. Standards (pdf) for tethering dogs were also
passed by the Senate and House.
Artificial reef.
Old boats will be used for an artificial reef program (pdf)
in Block Island Sound.
Tanning beds.
Persons younger than 18 will need parental consent to use tanning salons.
Efficient power generation. Electric companies will be required to install combined
heat and power (CHP) or cogeneration systems to recapture lost energy in a bill (pdf)
that modifies existing efficiency standards.
Sewage and wetlands. Zoning rules relating to sewage systems and wetlands
must be approved by the DEM in a bill (pdf)
passed by the General Assembly.
Livestock standards. The Senate and the House passed a bill (pdf)
creating an advisory board for setting standards for the welfare of farm
animals. The committee would report to the DEM director. Docking or altering of
cows' tails would be prohibited in a bill (pdf)
passed by the House and Senate.
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These bills were left waiting at the altar:
Beer and wine at farmers markets. The House passed a bill (pdf)
allowing local vineyards to sell wine at farmers markets, but the Senate did
not reciprocate.
Drugs in the water. The Senate passed a bill (pdf)
creating a commission to study the health risks of pharmaceutical waste in the
water supply. The House, however, took no action.
Outdoor wood boilers. The House passed a bill (pdf)
regulating outdoor wood boilers, but the Senate didn't pass the legislation out
of committee.
Tree care and mulch. The House passed a bill (pdf)
adding tree care and mulch to the state definition of agricultural operations
in the state Right to Farm laws.
Dry Lands Act.
The annual effort (pdf)
by the construction industry to increase building near environmentally
sensitive areas such as wetlands wasn't voted out of committee.