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6/26/2024
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Successful session for Kennedy sees disaster preparedness, consumer protection, new technology bills become law
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STATE HOUSE — Speaker of the House Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) says he is gratified and appreciative that so many of his initiatives have become law during the most recent session of the General Assembly.
Nine of his bills that address disaster preparedness, updating banking and insurance statues to include new and emerging technologies, and protecting Rhode Island consumers have all been enacted.
“This has been a very productive session, with a lot of important legislation vetted and approved in an extremely efficient and transparent manner,” said Representative Kennedy, who is the senior ranking member of the House of Representatives, having been elected in 1988. “I would like to thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting so many of my bills that will improve the infrastructure of the state and the lives of Rhode Island families.”
A strong advocate for preparedness in the face of climate change and natural disasters, Kennedy sponsored the Facilitating Business Rapid Response to State Declared Disaster Act of 2024 (2024-H 7087Aaa), which exempts out-of-state businesses and their employees performing services during declared state or federal disasters or emergencies from state or local business requirements. “This law curbs requirements that impede the ability of businesses, such as the wireless industry, to rapidly respond to a declared disaster or emergency,” said Representative Kennedy. “At the same time, this could even apply to the distribution of our electrical system if, for instance, we had to bring in individuals from out of state to help rebuild the grid.”
Rep. Kennedy also introduced the Vegetation Management for Electric System Reliability Act (2024-H 7086Aaa) that requires an electric distribution company to develop a vegetation management plan approved by the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers to implement activities for vegetation clearing on and around utility infrastructure along public and private rights of way.
“With storms increasing both in frequency and intensity, trees and other vegetation are becoming more stressed, compounding the risk of tree-related damage that causes power outages that have affected many homeowners and businesses in my District as well as around Rhode Island,” said Representative Kennedy. “Statewide vegetation management standards can reduce the likelihood of outages, enhance public safety and help reduce ratepayer costs.”
Other bills introduced by Representative Kennedy that have become law include:
2024-H 7210A — This law amends the Uniform Commercial Code, which governs the governs sales and leases of goods and property, bringing it up to date with new technologies and bringing it in line with the laws that are being enacted in all other states.
2024-H 7281A — This law amends the statutory provisions to create an insurance data security model law to ensure universal consumer protection with regard to cybersecurity events involving Rhode Island consumers.
2024-H 7282 — This law amends outdated provisions of the banking statutes and the Home Loan Protection Act, adds consumer protections, including minimum capital requirements and limits on investments for currency transmitters including crypto currency, adds a consumer protection for student loan borrowers and removes the provision allowing deposit of securities in lieu of bond.
2024-H 7283A — This law amends the statutory provisions regarding insurance producer appointments to provide for an efficient electronic process used in most other states, clarifies language relating to insurance claims adjusters, clarifies audit requirements for third-party administrators and alters an assessment on insurance companies for training and technology.
2024-H 7712A — This law designates the appropriate authority on air space issues as the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation. RIAC is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the State’s airport system consisting of Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, North Central State Airport, Quonset State Airport, Westerly State Airport, Newport State Airport, and Block Island State Airport. Prior to the statutory creation of RIAC in 1992, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) was responsible for the operations and maintenance for the airport system. The new law aligns certain job titles at the State airports with their proper responsibilities relative to aeronautics.
2024-H 7777 — This law establishes a Rhode Island-Ireland Trade Commission to advance and promote mutual economic interests between Rhode Island and the Republic of Ireland. The commission will consist of seven members appointed by the governor and General Assembly, and will promote ongoing trade, peace, education, political and people-to-people links between Rhode Island and Ireland, which is the only native English-speaking country in the European Union and provides an attractive venue and gateway to the European marketplace for trade purposes.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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