Saturday, June 8, 2013

Movement on environmental legislation

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI.org News staff

PROVIDENCE — Several bills related to the environment recently moved forward at the Statehouse. The most significant is bill H6063, which establishes the Executive Office of Commerce. The bill was criticized for shifting permitting and regulatory authority from environmental agencies to the new pro-business secretary of commerce. Wording was later revised to require the new executive post to “coordinate” with the Coastal Resources Management Council and the Department of Environmental Management.

The bill, however, authorizes the commerce secretary to oversee the Office of Energy Resources, the Renewable Energy Fund and the Office of Statewide Planning. Statewide Planning oversees many long-term objectives for the state, including climate change adaptation projects.

The bill passed the House, 69-5. Rep. Brian Newberry, R-North Smithfield, opposed the bill, saying, “You’re adding another layer of bureaucracy."

Gov. Lincoln Chafee agrees and has threatened to veto the bill. Hearings must first be held in the Senate before the legislation is voted on by the full Senate. The House currently has enough votes to override the governor's veto.

Other bills passed that passed June 4:

Petroleum inventory. The Senate passed S725, which allows the Office of Energy Resources to collect data on fossil-fuel products in the state in order to monitor supply needs, especially during severe weather events. The bill was referred to House Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources for a hearing. The bill must pass the House before it heads to Gov. Chafee.

Wildlife criminals. The Senate passed a bill (S814) allowing the state to recognize hunting violations from other states, such as a suspension of a hunting license. The bill moved on to the House Judiciary Committee for a scheduled hearing June 5. The House must also pass the bill before it moves to the governor’s desk.


Children’s jewelry. The Senate passed a bill (S497) requiring all children’s jewelry made or sold in Rhode island to comply with the standards set by the American Society for Testing and Standards. The bill moves to House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare. The full House must approve the bill before it heads to the governor’s desk.