Senate president lays out 2024 priorities; multiple gubernatorial appointments and committee meetings announced

The presiding officer opened the Rhode Island Senate’s January session with a new-year address that outlined policy priorities and highlighted recent accomplishments. The president wished colleagues and Rhode Islanders a happy new year, congratulated new leadership and staff, and described the chamber’s focus for 2024 on health care, education and housing.

In the address the presiding officer said the Senate "established a new $50,000 tangible property tax exemption, eliminating a significant burden for 75% of the businesses in the state of Rhode Island." He also said the chamber had made progress on lead-safety efforts and was "on track to replace all lead water pipes within the next decade." The president listed priorities for 2024, including strengthening community hospitals, attracting and retaining primary care physicians, addressing Medicaid reimbursement rates and workforce development in health care and education. He said the chamber would pursue reforms to the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights and would work on Whip Lawson’s proposal "to expand the TCI insurance to 12 weeks," as stated in the address.

Clerks then read committee assignments, resignation letters, and gubernatorial appointment transmittals. Notable submissions included the governor’s nomination of Neil D. Steinberg as chair of the Life Sciences Hub of Rhode Island (term expiring 01/01/2028), Lauren A. Burgess (vice Scott A. Jones) to the Quonset Development Corporation (term expiring 01/01/2025), and Simon J. Wood to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (term expiring February 27, 2025). The clerk also listed several reappointments to the Agricultural Lands and Preservation Commission and other boards.

After announcements from committee chairs about upcoming meetings (the Permanent Joint Legislative Commission on Childcare meeting Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.; the Committee on Environment and Agriculture on January 9 at 5 p.m.; and the Finance Committee on Thursday at 5 p.m.), senators were invited to a group photo and reception. With no new business or regular calendar items, the Senate recessed for the planned photo and reception.