Legislation

Another constitutionally questionable bill that passed the House but died in the Senate would have created a special class of liquor license strictly for the sale of sacramental wine, and only “to any duly ordained priest, minister or rabbi or to any church or religious society.”

This bill would have prohibited cities and towns from “altering the name or concept of any religious or secular holiday or secular figure or symbol associated with any such holiday.”

In a disturbing development, the 2007 budget includes $1 million in tax breaks to businesses making donations to scholarship organizations that provide financial aid to students attending private and parochial schools.

After a vigorous and spirited debate, the House approved on a 36-25 vote a bill that would have restricted state and local police from collecting or maintaining information about the political associations or activities of individuals.

Prompted by an ACLU lawsuit, the General Assembly has completely revamped the state’s campaign finance law as it relates to ballot question advocacy.

Before enacting a bill providing tax credits for the production of movies and television shows in Rhode Island, the General Assembly took heed of ACLU censorship concerns.

A bill that would require any person who “lobbies” the executive branch to submit to various reporting and disclosure requirements was significantly amended to address ACLU concerns before being approved.

Three years ago, ignoring constitutional objections raised by the ACLU, the legislature expanded the state’s child pornography law to ban both the possession and distribution of images that merely “appear to be” of a minor engaged in sexual conduct.

The ACLU opposed two Senate bills changing the composition of the state’s criminal justice oversight committee to add a member of a faith-based organization.