2014 -- H 7208

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LC003047

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

     Introduced By: Representatives Newberry, Giarrusso, Costa, Chippendale, and Trillo

     Date Introduced: January 29, 2014

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 22-12-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 22-12 entitled "Fiscal

Notes" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     22-12-1. When fiscal notes required. – (a) All bills and resolutions having an effect on

the revenues, expenditures, or fiscal liability of the state, which can be calculated with reasonable

accuracy, excepting appropriation measures carrying specific dollar amounts, shall be

accompanied by a brief explanatory statement or note which sets forth their estimated dollar

effect. The statements or notes shall be known as "fiscal notes," and they shall accompany each

such bill or resolution prior to consideration of the house in which the bill or resolution

originated. Fiscal notes shall also accompany each bill or resolution that affects any city or town

financially.

     (b) Before any legislative committee may consider a bill or resolution that requires a

fiscal note pursuant to this section, every member of that committee shall be provided with its

fiscal note at least three (3) days before the committee hears the bill or resolution.

     (c) The fiscal note requirement of this section may be waived by a unanimous vote of all

legislative committee members at the public hearing considering the bill or resolution that has

been properly posted for consideration.

     (d) The fiscal note requirement of this section cannot be abrogated by the adoption of any

rule by the Rhode Island house of representatives or senate.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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     This act would dispense with the requirement for a fiscal note for any bill or resolution

which a legislative committee is considering if its members unanimously vote to do so and the

bill or resolution is properly posted. It would prevent the general assembly from adopting any

rules that would abolish the need for a statutorily required fiscal note. Finally, it would mandate

that all state legislative committee members that are considering any bill or resolution that needs

a fiscal note, be provided with that fiscal note, at least three (3) days before the committee

hearing scheduled to consider it.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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