Carcieri Offers Tax Credit To Create 5,000 New Jobs

Pledging to create 5,000 new jobs and help business owners pinched by the recession, Governor Carcieri introduced a targeted small-business tax credit as part of his budget proposal Tuesday.

 

The deal would give employers a $2,000 tax credit for each new full-time worker hired between July 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2011. The tax credit would apply for the year the hiring takes place. Read Full Article»

 

 

Airline Passengers' Rights Legislation

H7028 - RESOLUTION - Urging the United States Congress to Authorize Airline Passengers' Rights Legislation

 

 

H7234 - This act would require the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to appropriate five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the city of Warwick annually with a three percent (3%) increase annually. 

 

 

H7009 - This act would allow the holder of a Class C wholesalers liquor license to sell alcoholic beverages directly to bakeries to be used for cooking or baking purposes only if those bakeries use a minimum of one thousand (1,000) gallons of alcohol each year.

 

H7049 - This act would authorize the city of Providence to create a class TO liquor license to a take out restaurant, located in Plat Book 68, Lot 732, within two hundred feet (200') of a place of public worship.

 

H7132 - This act would allow the promotion of incentive programs or discounts for alcoholic beverages for any person sixty-five (65) years of age or older, active duty members of the armed forces of the United States, and members of the National Guard or Reserves.

 

H7197 - This act would establish the wine direct shipper license, a new license to be issued by the department of business regulation. This license would also authorize certain persons to ship cases of wine directly to a person for personal use and not for resale. The holder of the wine direct shipper license would further be subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the division of taxation.

 

H7204 - This act would allow the Town of Johnston to retain all fines collected as a result of violation of its alcoholic beverages ordinances to be dedicated to the Johnston Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.

 

H7215 - This act would authorize the town of Barrington to issue Class A alcoholic beverage licenses if approved by the electors.

 

H7329 - This act would allow for the sale and shipment of intoxicating beverages to a Rhode Island resident who does not hold a valid wholesaler license provided that the recipient belongs to groups which are known as "Beer or Wine of the Month Clubs". 

 

H7350 - This act would establish the motor vehicle offenses of furnishing or procuring alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances to underage persons resulting in death or serious bodily injury.

 

H7352 - This act would require that employees required to complete the Alcohol Server training regulations testing procedures must do so prior to employment in the city of Pawtucket.

 

H7384 - This act would eliminate the procedures used by liquor license holders to record the purchase of alcoholic beverages by persons suspected of being underage.

 

H7423 - This act would make it illegal or unlawful for any person to purchase alcohol or sell alcohol to minors with certain exceptions.

 

H7404 - This act would eliminate under-age nights at nightclubs where alcoholic beverages are served.

 

S2029 - This act would permit the direct shipping of wine to consumers under the direction of the department of business regulations.

 

S2099 - This act would allow the Town of Johnston to retain all fines collected as a result of violation of its alcoholic beverages ordinances to be dedicated to the Johnston Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.

 

 

H7134 - This act would set the alternative minimum tax rate at 7 percent.

 

H7137 - This act would eliminate the flat tax.

 

 

H7203 - This act would reduce the corporate minimum tax from five hundred dollars ($500) to two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

 

 

H7084 - This act would repeal the Rhode Island Gaming Control and Revenue Act. Therefore, it would include "casino gambling in the provision of the general laws regulating gambling.

 

H7338 - RESOLUTION - To approve and publish and submit to the electors a proposition of amenments to the Constitution of the state (casino gambling at Newport Grand and Twin River)

 

 

 

 

S2211 - This act would prohibit an employer from refusing to hire a person based solely on the existence of a criminal record, with some exceptions, or for a governmental agency from denying an individual a license to work in a particular trade or business based solely on that individual having a criminal record, with certain exceptions.

 

Disability Insurance

 

H7023 - This act would prevent injured in the line of duty personnel who receive full pay and benefits for their work related disability from simultaneously receiving temporary disability insurance benefits. However, if they are also unable to perform the duties of their second job, they would still be eligible to receive temporary disability insurance benefits if they are available through that job.

 

 

H7272 - This act would establish within the economic development corporation an expanded program to assist Rhode Island companies to secure new business with federal, state and local governments.

 

H7430 - This act would create a small business revolving loan and credit enhancement fund to be administered by the Rhode Island economic development corporation to help Rhode Island employers with one hundred (100) or fewer employees.

 

S2213 - This act would require all board members of the Rhode Island airport corporation to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. This act would take effect upon passage and all members of the board of directors of the Rhode Island airport corporation serving as of the effective date of this act would serve for the unexpired portion of their respective term of office and would be subject to the advice and consent of the senate only if nominated for a successive term.

 

 

H7208 - This act would remove the limit of twenty (20) charter schools and require at least one-half of the total number of charter public schools in the state to be reserved for charter school applications that are designed to increase the educational opportunities for at-risk pupils.

 

H7415 - This act would require mayoral academies to use a random selection process to select those students who would be invited to attend the mayoral academy.
 

 

S2115 - This act would increase the estate tax exemption to $1,000,000 effective on January 1, 2011 and to $2,000,000 effective January 1, 2012, with the exemption being permanently phased out beginning January 1, 2013.

Fire Safety

 

H7114 - This act would make it illegal to fail to evacuate a building when an alarm is activated, or to tamper with, or access an alarm by anyone other than a licensed individual. This act would assess fines for these violations.

 

H7198 - This act would reduce from ninety (90) days to fifteen (15) days the time within which building plans must be approved or disapproved by the appropriate authority.

 

Flat Tax 

 

H7032 - This act would repeal the alternative flat tax rate for personal income taxpayers.

 

H7077 - This act would set the alternative minimum tax rate at 7 percent.

 

H7308 - This act would repeal the alternative flat tax rate for state taxpayers.

 

 

S2108 - This act would provide that no service or maintenance fees may be charged on gift cards and certificates less that two (2) years old, and would eliminate certain exceptions in the existing statute.

 

 

S2101 - This act would change a number of provisions and definitions relative to dog racing effectively ending live dog racing but permitting existing facilities to offer simulcast races.

 

 

H7407 - This act would create the Green Economy Roundtable charged with identifying various opportunities associated with the green economy. 

 

S2128 - This act would require that in order for a minor to receive a tattoo or body piercing it is necessary to obtain the written consent of both parents. Furthermore, in the case of divorced parents or unmarried parents, the custodial parent would be required to give written consent to the tattooing and/or body piercing.

 

 

S2110 - This act would increase from twenty-five percent (25%) to thirty-two percent (32%) the share of hotel tax given to a city or town where the hotel is located and would eliminate the seven percent (7%) distribution to the Greater Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitors' Bureau.

 

 

S2151 - This act would prohibit a landlord from asking the immigration status of a prospective tenant.

 

 

S2234 - This act would expand the types of buildings which would be exempt from the state mandated requirements of boiler and pressure system inspections, based on the size of the water heater.

 

 

H7076 - This act would direct the state lottery division to conduct an instant game known as the "Scratch-A-Tick Game" during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. The lesser amount of either the net revenue from the first three (3) months of the running of said game or two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) shall be deposited in a restricted revenue account to be used by the University of Rhode Island for Vector-Borne Disease and Tick Encounter Resource Center to help support statewide tick-bite protection and Lyme disease prevention research and outreach.

 

 

S2038 - This act would adjust the minimum wage annually using the consumer price index and require the department of labor and training to notify all Rhode Island employers of any minimum wage increase by certified mail at least forty-five (45) days before its effective date.

 

 

H7031 - This act would make unlawful the use of a non-hands-free mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle except for public safety personnel.

 

 

H7107 - This act would increase the deduction from the state income tax for contributions to the tuition savings program from $500 to $1,000 for an individual and from $1,000 to $2,000 for a joint return.

 

H7138 - This act would limit election of the alternative flat tax rate to taxpayers who are residents of the State of Rhode Island.

 

H7173 - This act would require employers to provide employees with bi-lingual notices regarding the existence of the federal earned income tax credit and volunteer income tax assistance providers.

 

S2191 -  This act would eliminate the personal income tax alternative tax rate after tax year 2009.

 

 

H7110 - This act would amend the process by which fire departments implement the requirements of NFPA 1500. The act would also amend the composition of the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 1500 Implementation Plan Review Committee.

 

 

H7160 - This act would transfer the costs associated with fire hydrants from property taxpayers to ratepayers by allowing municipalities that pass an appropriate ordinance to avoid payment of hydrant rental fees.

 

 

H7066 - This act would require the Rhode Island economic development corporation to establish economic development offices in various world capitals.

 

 

H7108 - This act would require that effective July 1, 2010, the general assembly would annually appropriate a sum for the financial support of RIPTA from the general fund.

 

 

H7081 - This act would prohibit the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority from charging tolls on the Mount Hope Bridge.

 

 

H7170 - This act would provide that distributors who make an express warranty pursuant to a consumer sale, and who designate a representative to provide sales and services under the express warranty, would be liable to the representative in an amount equal to that which is charged by the representative for service and repairs rendered to consumers who aren't entitled to warranty protection.

 

 

H7140 - This act would lower the sales tax rate to four percent (4%) and reduce the items exempt from the tax.

 

 

H7042 - This act would increase the jurisdiction of matters in small claims court from two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) to five thousand ($5,000) and would allow for future increases based upon the consumer price index (CPI) at that time.

 

 

S2204 - This act would provide that no smoking bar would be permitted in any building wherein people reside.

 

 

H7255 - This act would require that any business that sells for profit an item that benefits a charity to be classified as a commercial co-venturer which shall register with the department of business regulation, file financial documents outlining the program and post a $10,000 bond. The business must also report, among other things, how much gross revenue the program generated and the amounts paid to the charity.

 

 

S2224 - This act would create the Social Security Number Privacy Act, and would provide guidelines and penalties for violations thereof.

 

 

H7201 - This act would establish the Green Jobs-Green Rhode Island Program, the purpose of which would be to create and promote green jobs in Rhode Island and also to promote energy efficient construction and home modification. The program would be overseen by the office of energy resources.

 

 

H7335 - This act would eliminate the tax credit caps on residential renewable energy systems.

 

 

H7136 - This act would require business tax credit recipients to provide the state with financial business records to document any benefit to the state from the issuance of the tax credit.

 

 

H7431 - This act would provide a tax credit for small businesses that add new employees.

 

 

H7429 - This act would provide that real property held by small businesses (as defined by the United States Small Business Administration) for at least five (5) years prior to an exchange would be appraised at its use value rather than full and fair cash value, and that said properties must remain in the small business for five (5) more years or be assessed a tax at the full and fair cash value at the time of exchange.

 

Taxes - Lessed Motor Vehicles 

 

S2198 - This act would prohibit the lessor of a leased motor vehicle from charging a lessee any sales or use tax on that portion of lease payment that is comprised of taxes payable by the lessor on the leased motor vehicle.

 

 

H7368 - This act would impose a tax on the purchase of soft drinks.

 

H7092 - This act would comprehensively address the problem of employee misclassification. Specifically, it would clarify the definition of employee in the workers' compensation and unemployment benefits context. It would permit the sharing of information by and between state departments to encourage enforcement. In addition, it would expand the tools which detect and limit the misclassification of employees. Education of the labor and business communities on the problem and its ramifications is mandated. Finally, it would require registration with the department of labor and training of all independent contractors and the entities that hire them.

 

 

 

H7325 - This act would expand the definition of "eligible employer" in the job sharing contract for the purpose of unemployment security benefits by deleting the word "private", to make applicable to state and local governments.

 

 

H7290 - This act would prevent a petition being filed during the pendency of a non-prejudicial memorandum of agreement, or up until the notification that payments have been terminated.

 

H7291 - This act would provide that neither party filing a petition to show a recurrence or decrease of incapacity, be required to document a comparative change of condition.

 

H7292 - This act would provide that a reduction in a workers' weekly compensation shall not be delayed for more than ninety (90) days after maximum medical improvement has been found.

 

H7293 -This act would provide an employer or insurer with notice and opportunity to accept a workers' compensation claim.

 

H7294 - This act would expand the obligation of an employee receiving workers' compensation to report earnings of all types and to increase the penalty accordingly for failure to do so.

 

H7295 - This act would require workers who claim disfigurement as a result of a work related incident to wait one year from the disfiguring event before filing a petition for disfigurement benefits. 

 

H7296 - This act would establish the E-Verify compliance chapter. It would also require all non-governmental employers within the state with three (3) or more employees to apply to participate in the E-Verify program and to participate if accepted.

 

H7297 - This act would change the rates charged to employers for workers' compensation.

H7395 - This act would make changes in the medical review procedure for claimants receiving workers' compensation benefits.

 

S2162 - This act would provide an employer or insurer with notice and opportunity to accept a workers' compensation claim.

 

S2163 - This act would prevent a petition being filed during the pendency of a non-prejudicial memorandum of agreement, or up until the notification that payments have been terminated.

 

S2166 - This act would provide that neither party filing a petition to show a recurrence or decrease of incapacity, be required to document a comparative change of condition.

S2168 - This act would provide that any workers' compensation case resulting in partial incapacity shall not have any reduction in benefits delayed more than ninety (90) days after maximum medical improvement has been found.

 

S2169 -  This act would provide that no petition for workers compensation benefits for permanent disfigurement injuries be filed until one year has passed from the date of the disfiguring event.

 

S2232 - This act would expand the obligation of an employee receiving workers' compensation to report earnings of all types and to increase the penalty accordingly for failure to do so.

 

 

S2233 - This act would create the "Rhode Island Worker Protection and Job Loss Notification Act" which would require an employer to give certain notifications to employees in businesses with at least seventy-five (75) employees, operating for more than three (3) years, where at least one-third (1/3) of the workforce would be subject to a mass layoff or temporary suspension of work. This act would also create a response team within the department of labor and training to provide employment counseling to the employees, and work with the employer in an attempt to avoid the loss of jobs.