2025 -- H 5010

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LC000505

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS

2023 AND 2024

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Stewart, Alzate, Batista, Potter, Giraldo,
Cotter, Speakman, and Sanchez

     Date Introduced: January 10, 2025

     Referred To: House Rules

     RESOLVED, that the rules of the House of Representatives adopted by the House of

Representatives at its January session, A.D. 2023, entitled “House Resolution Adopting Rules of

the House of Representatives for the years 2023 and 2024”, be and the same is hereby amended

by adding the following new rule thereto:

     Equity impact statements.

     (49)(a) Equity impact statements are documents intended to help legislators evaluate

whether a public bill is likely to increase equity, decrease equity, or have no impact on equity,

with equity considered in terms of one or more of the following categories: race, color, ethnicity,

religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, and/or country of

ancestral origin. Where possible, equity impact statements must include data as to historical

and/or existing disparities and as to likely demographic impacts of proposed legislation; such data

could include, for example, differential healthcare outcomes, graduation rates, incarceration rates,

or siting of pollution-producing businesses. Where possible, equity impact statements must

include data as to historical and/or existing economic disparities and as to likely fiscal and/or

economic impacts of proposed legislation; such data could include, for example, differential

support for minority-owned businesses or for businesses owned by individuals with disabilities.

     (b) Each year, the Speaker may request the production of equity impact statements on up

to five (5) proposed public bills. The request for an equity impact statement must identify which

one or more of the following categories should be considered: race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex,

sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, and/or country of ancestral

origin. Equity impact statements must address the protected category or categories identified in

the request for a statement, but are not limited to, addressing those identified in the request.

     (c) Each year, the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian American and Pacific

Islander (RIBLIA) Caucus may request equity impact statements on up to five (5) proposed

public bills. The request for an equity impact statement must identify which one or more of the

following categories should be considered: race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation,

gender identity or expression, disability, age, and/or country of ancestral origin. Equity impact

statements must address the protected category or categories identified in the request for a

statement, but are not limited to, addressing those identified in the request.

     (d) Legislative Council, in coordination with the Rhode Island Commission on Prejudice

& Bias, institutions of higher education, and relevant state agencies, shall prepare the requested

equity impact statements.

     (e) Legislative Council shall attach completed equity impact statements to public bills.

     (f) Equity impact statements shall be deemed public records under the provisions of

chapter 2 of title 38 ("access to public records").

     (g) Equity impact statements may be made available at least one week prior to any

hearing on the public bill. Equity impact statements shall be made available to the public at least

one week prior to any committee vote on the public bill under consideration.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

AMENDING THE RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE YEARS

2023 AND 2024

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     This resolution would authorize the Speaker and the Rhode Island Black, Latino,

Indigenous, Asian American and Pacific Islander (RIBLIA) Caucus to request equity impact

statements on up to five (5) proposed bills.

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