Senators say lead-paint bill has a chance to become law
The newly revised reform legislation, which is unlike earlier versions that have died in the House, was unanimously passed by the Senate Health, Education and Welfare Committee yesterday.
BY PETER B. LORD
Journal Environment Writer
PROVIDENCE -- Sen. Thomas J. Izzo's newly revised lead-paint reform legislation unanimously passed the Senate's Health, Education and Welfare Committee last night and will no doubt be rushed to a vote in the Senate. But it still faces consideration by the state House of Representatives, where three previous Izzo lead bills have died.
This year's bill, however, is not like the earlier versions, and some senators said last night that this may be the one that finally becomes law.
For one thing, Izzo and Senate policy aide Kenneth Payne continued negotiating changes with lead advocacy leaders and others as late as Friday.
And while the new bill has yet to attract universal support -- the trial lawyers, the Realtors and Childhood Lead Action Project haven't signed on -- it hasn't attracted the concerted opposition of last year's bill.
This bill is much tougher on landlords whose buildings poison children. It forces insurance companies doing business in Rhode Island to stop excluding coverage of damages caused by lead paint. And it ends the policy of protecting many landlords from lawsuits should their properties poison children.
Izzo brought revised copies of the legislation to the committee last night, and a vote was taken without hearing any new testimony or reviewing changes that were made since a hearing last week.
Izzo said there wasn't time for further hearings, and any additional changes could be made on the floor of the Senate.
That lack of additional review, however, left some uncertain whether they would fully support the bill.
Elizabeth Colon of CLAP said yesterday that her group met with Payne for 21/2 hours Friday and they were encouraged, but they don't know how much of their recommendations made it into the bill.
"We'd like to work out a compromise, but we don't know what's in the bill," Colon said yesterday. "It's very much up in the air."
Izzo said last night he listened to CLAP's suggestions and tightened some enforcement issues. He also praised the CLAP leaders, saying their willingness to keep bargaining this year played a key role in creating better legislation that will help get old housing cleaned up and reduce the poisoning of children.
"I believe it safe to say we addressed all the issues presented to us," Izzo said.
Izzo's fellow senators praised him for his four years of work to bring a bill to passage.
"I just want to say what an extraordinary legislative achievement this is and compliment Senator Izzo on the passion he's brought to the issue," said Sen. John Roney, D-Providence. "I'm honored to support his efforts."
"This was a team effort, but commendations must go to Senator Izzo on this," said Sen. James C. Sheehan, D-North Kingstown. "He held true; he held the line. He is very genuine and sincere."
Different lead bills have been proposed in the House. But a hearing scheduled for one on Tuesday was postponed, apparently because of all the attention focused on Izzo's bill.
