"Doesn't Rhode Island's electoral process deserve the same "integrity and reliability" as Indiana's?"

Yes but that's a giant step. We need to pass Illinois first.

Unless we make EVERYONE who wants to vote prove they are a US citizen as required by federal law,then it's all a waste of time.And this pile of turds in the GA will never have what it takes to put such a law through.

I don't get it, why did Brien and Palumbo vote to hold for further study? Both of these fine politicians have introduced bills to kill the 'illegal alien magnet' for Rhode Island? This would have helped a great deal so illegals don't vote for dingbats like Diarrheaz, Pisschardo, Segal and Slater?

Every bill heard before House Judiciary is "held for further study" as a matter of course at its first hearing. The vote is pro forma and taken at the beginning of each hearing. I personally think that it is kind of silly, but at the same time, there are times when holding a bill "for further study" is appropriate. Rep. Driver is probably right to object, also as a matter of course, to the blanket action taken by the Committee but some battles are worth fighting, some are not. That is why I and, I assume, other reps do not make it a point to object to the practice.

The bottom line is that if the Leadership wants to hold a vote on a bill they will. If they do not, they won't. This bill may well get passed. I suggest you petition the Speaker because I suspect there is support on the Committee and in the House as a whole for passing this bill but it needs to be green lighted first.

No, I agree the system does not make sense. But it is what it is.

Rep. Brian C. Newberry (R. North Smithfield / Burrillville)

Member House Committee on Judiciary

MONIQUE-COULTER
A right-wing nut, does NOT, have to show
an ID to buy a bazoka or a 50 cal.
that can take out a Bowing 747, or a Sherman tank,at a GUN SHOW !!!!!!

But you want my 91 year old mom,to show an ID to vote ?
--------------------------------------
Old Lady,you can buy a 50 cal. that can
kill 400 people, but you can not vote,
signed, Monique and Joe B.fron the
"WRIGHT WING"

Thanks for the information, Rep Newberry.

If every bill is "held for further study as a matter of course at its first hearing", does that mean there will be a second vote on this bill to get it out of committee? If so, is it known when that vote will take place?

"A right-wing nut, does NOT, have to show an ID to buy a bazoka or a 50 cal. that can take out a Bowing 747, or a Sherman tank,at a GUN SHOW !!!!!!"

But a left-wing nut *does* have to show an ID? Now that's not fair.

There are really only three options when a bill comes up for hearing - vote to send it to the floor for passage, vote to kill it, or "hold for further study."

I've seen a lot of bills come through there for hearings that were not necessarily bad ideas. Some were good ones that ought to pass. But many times the bill is flawed in some fashion - it could be drafted better or there is some aspect that was not considered. This, to me, is what "held for further study" should be used for - to allow people to amend bills and/or to come back later with answers to questions that arise during the hearing.

Of course the other reason you can hold something for further study is so that people get their ability to have their say, the press can cover the bill, etc. and then the bill can be quietly killed by never being allowed to see the light of day again - and no one need go on record in favor or opposed.

Thus far this session, every bill has been "held". However, several have indeed popped back up on the hearing calendar and been passed on a subsequent day and then sent to the floor where they have also been passed. Many more bills that are currently being held will probably also be passed in this fashion, likely after the April recess. At the moment, we are on schedule to finish hearings on all bills introduced prior to the normal February legislative deadline before the April recess, though there will be some late filed bills that will be heard later.

Why and when a bill gets put back on the committee calendar for a vote and who makes that decision among the leadership is a mystery to me.

"Why and when a bill gets put back on the committee calendar for a vote and who makes that decision among the leadership is a mystery to me."

What remains a mystery to me about the Assembly is why do they hold so much for the last week or the last day and then whine and kvetch all night about how hot it is, how long they've been there and how much they just want to get out. Why not start passing bills in January and vote on every bill on its own merit to the state? Why hold bills for later so that Rep X will get his passed only if he agrees to vote for Rep Y's bill. That's BS. And if you don't want to be there late one night working, then simply come back the next day and finish up. Why in the world does the Speaker set a date for the final session of the year and try to jam so much into it? WHy not just make "the last session" be whatever day that you get through all the bills? Why the crunch? I'll never get it.

If you've never watched the final night of Assembly session on Capitol TV, check it out sometime. It's maddening and will really sicken you to our state government.

someone keeps sending these baffoons back to the GA. As long as they keep getting elected, nothing changes.