With the session wrapped up, Bristol’s senators and representatives were asked to share some of their recent wins. This is what they had to say.

Senator Linda Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol)

Ujifusa saw the passage of her resolution requesting a workforce analysis — examining pay, recruitment, and retention barriers — to address the problem of why the Rhode Island Veterans Home's Foxtrot wing (32 beds) has sat empty for six years. 

Another bill requiring all state health insurers to cover RIDOH-recommended routine childhood and adult vaccines with no cost-sharing, was also passed. This law will protect Rhode Islanders from the risks of RFK Jr.'s dismantling of federal vaccine oversight, while shielding providers from out-of-state lawsuits.

Ujifusa also introduced a bill which would have directed the Auditor General to study what other states, like Connecticut, have saved by restructuring their Medicaid programs away from managed care. Connecticut eliminated its Medicaid MCOs (managed care organizations) in 2012, saved over $4 billion in thirteen years, and now spends 14% less per member than neighboring states that still rely on private middlemen “managers.” Unfortunately that bill failed to pass.

Noting that wins don’t only come from your own legislative proposals, Ujifusa was proud to support bills spearheaded by colleagues to fight the many harms imposed by arbitrary federal actions — including those that unfairly target immigrants, people of color, seniors, low-income and disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ people, and peaceful protesters. She also supported bills  that tried to counter federal tax cuts for billionaires and multinational corporations paid for by gutting vital safety net programs, scientific research, and public protections.

Representative June Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol)

Speakman sponsored, unsuccessfully, three significant pieces of housing legislation that passed the Senate, but not the House. One, a new financing model using AFL-CIO pension funds, a bill that would encourage faith-based institutions to turn excess property into housing, and some technical amendments to past legislation.  

She also sponsored the Portable Solar Act, otherwise known as the Balcony Solar bill, which would have made it easier for residents to use small solar arrays to bring down energy costs. “It passed the House by a vote of 70-0, but never made it out of committee in the Senate,” she said. “Here's hoping for next year.”

The Individual Marketplace Affordability Act, is a bill that she has worked on for three years. It requested funding to subsidize insurance premiums for Rhode Islanders who purchase their insurance from HealthsourceRI — primarily low-wage workers, part-time workers and small business owners. Their premiums have increased dramatically, and the adopted budget included $22 million of this request to help lower premium cost for these Rhode Islanders.

She also cosponsored a bill with Sen. Bridget Valverde which establishes a joint commission to study condominium affordability, and it was signed into law just last week. “I know that study commissions have a bad reputation, but this one really is necessary,” Speakman said. “I’ve received many calls from constituents with concerns about rising fees, rising insurance costs, maintenance issues, and governance problems. “Rhode Island laws governing condos have not been changed in many years, and need a good close look.” she said.

Representative Susan Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth)

As a primary sponsor, Donovan was happy to see passage of a bill which requires shooting ranges to post signs in any area where shooting occurs and to also enforce the standard safety practice already utilized by many facilities across the nation mandating that membership-based shooting ranges require non-members to be accompanied at all times by a member or a staff member while on the premises and engaging in shooting activity. “I am grateful to the 2nd amendment community for supporting this bill,” Donovan said. (See story, here.)

Another bill she sponsored mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended and deemed necessary by the RI Department of Health and organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, even if the CDC does not. It also mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations.

Another successful piece of legislation allows for a special RI license plate to raise awareness for colon cancer and would be designed by the partnership to reduce cancer in RI. This bill was the wish of Bristol couple Pam and Rusty Mirick who lost their daughter Meredith to colon cancer after being diagnosed at the age of 28.

Another bill prohibits participation in federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations unless both the general assembly and the governor approve such participation. According to the NEA, opting into the federal tax credit voucher program would divert scarce public funds to private schools with fewer standards and protections — a model historically used to evade desegregation and one that continues to undermine the inclusive mission of public education.

She successfully sponsored a House Resolution which authorizes the appropriation of $200,000 for incentives for the Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program.

Donovan also cosponsored The Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt Act, which directs middle and high schools which issue student identification cards to include on those cards on or before September 8, 2026, contact crisis telephone numbers for suicide prevention and substance use disorder prevention.

Senator Pamela Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence)

Lauria’s legislation to prevent the state from taking federal benefits meant for children in state care has been incorporated into the state budget bill. Currently, the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) takes federal benefits, like Social Security or veterans’ benefits, from children in state care to offset the cost of their care. Lauria’s legislation, which she identified as one of her top legislative priorities this year, requires DCYF to establish segregated savings accounts for foster children receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and veterans’ benefits. That bill’s provisions have also been added to the state budget bill, which passed the General Assembly.

“Taking benefits away from children, especially children who have likely already experienced trauma and suffering in their lives, is just not an acceptable practice for our state. In some cases, these federal benefits result from the death of their parent or another tragedy the child has experienced. The money is meant for them, and they should have it,” said Lauria. “They deserve these funds, and making sure they have them will give them a better shot at a successful start in life.”

The Senate also approved legislation sponsored by Lauria to establish a scholarship program for students who commit to working as a primary care provider in Rhode Island. The legislation is part of a broader effort to address Rhode Island’s shortage of primary care providers.

She was also pleased to co-chair a feasibility study to look into the possibility of establishing a medical school at the University of Rhode Island; they determined that it was feasible, and were able to secure $5 million to begin that process.

The General Assembly has also approved legislation cosponsored Lauria and Speakman to require bars to have lids available to protect patrons from having their drinks spiked. The law would require all establishments licensed to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption to make removable lids available upon request by any customer. The sponsors said they introduced the bill not because of any particular prevalence of or increase in drink-spiking in Rhode Island, but because of the devastating consequences that occur when it does happen.

Senator Walter Felag (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton)

The General Assembly approved Felag and Rep. Terri Cortvriend’s legislation that would amend the Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024. PFAS, or “forever chemicals” are substances that include any member of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. They have been found to be extremely damaging to health and the environment.

“This bill will help enforce the PFAS ban in Rhode Island, which in turn, will protect individuals and certain professions such as fire fighters from being harmed by PFAS exposure,” said Felag.

The legislation would clarify enforcement provisions and provide DEM with the authority to exempt a product or category of products from the prohibitions in the law.

Felag was also sponsor or cosponsor of several bills related to veterans’ rights, including one that will allow disabled veterans’ license plates to be transferred to spouses.

Three additional Felag bills that help, support and honor Rhode Island’s service members were passed this session, including one that would establish the Rhode Island Orange Heart Medal to formally recognize Rhode Island veterans whose service exposed them to toxic herbicides, burn pits or other hazardous agents.

Another would define “military-connected student” and permit military-connected students to enroll by remote registration upon presentation of military orders confirming that the parent or guardian shall be stationed in this state during the current or following school year.

The third bill would create three new state awards to recognize Rhode Island military and National Guard members: the Rhode Island Legion of Merit, awarded to service members who demonstrate outstanding service while in key leadership positions; the Rhode Island State Partnership Program Ribbon, awarded to service members who serve for at least five consecutive days in a RI National Guard state partnership program country; and the Rhode Island Funeral Honors Ribbon, awarded to service members for their dedicated service as a part of a military funeral honors team. In addition, the bill expands the eligibility for the Rhode Island Star to certain civilian government employees and military and civilian leaders of foreign governments for their outstanding service and contributions to Rhode Island.

Felag also sponsored legislation that would help disabled veterans when modifying their homes. “After serving and sacrificing for us all, our disabled veterans deserve to spend their days with dignity, safely in their own homes. This bill is another way to thank our disabled veterans for their service, while also treating them with respect and ensuring that they are properly cared for in their homes,” he said.

The bill states that any veteran with a disability rating from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs would not be charged any building fees, including permit fees, plan review or plan examination fees, inspection fees, or other fees required to make improvements to the residence of the veteran if the improvements are required to accommodate the disability of the veteran.