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.
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.
