The hearings on key pieces of legislation are really starting to heat up as the session is now in full swing. Fortunately for employers, all activity came to a screeching halt this week for school vacation week.

Last week NFIB submitted testimony on:

• A Clean Heat Standard Bill – oppose (Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee)
• Building Energy Reporting Requirements – oppose (Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee)
• Sunday/Holiday Pay Repeal – support (Senate Labor and Gaming Committee)
• Overtime Pay Thresholds – oppose (Senate Labor and Gaming Committee)
• Waiving Daily Permits for Oversize Marine Assets Transport – support (Senate Judiciary Committee)

NFIB State Director Christopher Carlozzi also testified before the House Committee on Labor opposing bills allowing striking workers to collect unemployment insurance benefits. He also testified against legislation raising the threshold for workers exempted from overtime pay. Currently Rhode Island adheres to the federal standard of $35,568. This legislation would mean salaried workers earning up to $78,000 would qualify for overtime pay.

Finally, the Senate Committee on Labor and Gaming favorably reported a Workplace Bullying Bill that would open employers to frivolous lawsuits. Last session it passed the Senate for a vote but never advanced in the House. NFIB will continue to fight this burdensome proposal.