![[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] The RI State House. Senate committee testimony submitted in writing is now posted online.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RI-State-House-COVID-19-small-business-aid-336x252.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
STATE HOUSE — Senate committee testimony obtained in writing on proposed laws is now accessible on-line.
The testimony will be discovered beneath “Senate Committee Documents” on the house web page at rilegislature.gov. Oral testimony for all Senate committees will be nonetheless be watched on demand on the Capitol Television page on the Common Meeting web site.
The brand new webpage comes because of a guidelines change (2025-S 0594) handed by the Senate final week that requires the net posting of written testimony obtained by Senate committees, just like the method for the Home of Representatives and joint legislative committees.
Senate Committee testimony on-line a clear step
“As leaders, it’s important we make the legislative course of as open and clear as attainable. Rhode Islanders deserve easy accessibility to public data, together with written testimony on laws, and I’m grateful the Senate is poised to take this vital step ahead. It would profit the general public and our chamber as an establishment,” stated Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), who chairs the Senate Committee on Guidelines, Authorities Ethics and Oversight.
‘Rhode Islanders deserve easy accessibility to public data, together with written testimony on laws, and I’m grateful the Senate is poised to take this vital step ahead’ — Sen. McKenney
The part-time nature of the Senate committee clerks has prevented this follow in prior years. Nevertheless, President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Windfall, Windfall) notes that he believes the elevated transparency this alteration would offer for the general public warrants the funding it’ll require.
“Our Senate management workforce is proud to assist Chairman McKenney’s guidelines decision and the proposal to put up committee testimony on-line. Responsibly balancing our accessible sources with the various calls for on employees is all the time a problem, however it’s time to take this vital step ahead. Enhancing entry to public testimony will strengthen the committee course of, enhance public transparency, and foster belief in authorities, all of which is crucial to the work we do on the State Home,” stated President Ruggerio.
