Coming up in Committee: Sixteen Sets of Bills Scheduled to be Heard by the RI General Assembly, March 13 - March 15, Part 2

6. H7519: Creates a fee-based restricted-receipt state-government account, with proceeds to be used for the creation of a "uniform, statewide electronic plan review, permit management and inspection system" (H Corporations; Tue, Mar 13). But is a technical fix what's needed to solve Rhode Island's problems with inefficient permitting, or is there a more systemic problem?

5. A series of special education bills; concerning treatment of dyslexic students (H7541, H7542), an exemption from staff certification requirements for non-public schools used by public school districts to provide the appropriate education to students with disabilities that districts cannot provide (H7655), a transferal of hearing jurisdiction for "resolving disputes relating to the identification, evaluation or educational placement of children with disabilities and providing a free and appropriate education" to the Department of Health (H7829), and administrative processes for altering a disabled student's education program (H7217, H7218) (H Health, Education and Welfare; Wed, Mar 14).

4. S2658: Establishes a fairly lengthy list of "defects or omissions" that a mortgage agreement may contain and still be considered valid (S Judiciary; Tue, Mar 13) and someone with industry knowledge should review this list, and tell us if the defects truly are minor enough to be considered inconsequential.

3. H7110: Requires a search warrant for the search of any "portable electronic device" in the possession of an individual who has been arrested (H Judiciary; Tue, Mar 13).

2. S2695/H7543: Process for authorizing a full casino at Newport Grand, including a statewide constitutional amendment ballot question, and a local referendum in Newport (S Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs; Wed, Mar 14).

1. H7413: Among other provisions, a prohibition of standardized tests from being used as a requirement for high-school graduation (H Health, Education and Welfare; Wed, Mar 14).