Representative Robert M. Phillips
D-51
Rhode Island House of Representatives: 2011-Present
Committees:
Environment and Natural Resources- First Vice Chair
Health, Education, and Welfare- Second Vice Chairman
Rules
Small Business
Robert D. Phillips (D) represents District 51 in Woonsocket and Cumberland. First elected in November 2010, Representative Phillips was named a Deputy Majority Leader in January 2019. He is the first vice chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee and is member of the House Corporations Committee, the House Education Committee, the House Rules Committee and the House Small Business Committee.
Representative Phillips sponsored successful legislation in 2018 that makes the Division of Motor Vehicles more efficient while also making life easier for commercial truck drivers. The first law permits the use of an electronic means of transmission of the medical certificate required for the issuance of a commercial driver’s license. The second law eliminates the requirement of examinations for a renewal applicant, whose commercial driver's license has expired for more than one year.
In 2017, he introduced an education reform law that establishes a process by which a virtual education plan may be established and used by school districts during inclement weather which would count as a school day.
In 2016, he co-sponsored legislation that makes critical updates to Rhode Island’s Administrative Procedures Act that will substantially improve Rhode Island’s regulatory climate and require all state agencies to electronically submit their annual reports.
In 2015, he co-sponsored legislation that increases the time convicted murderers must serve of their sentences before they are eligible for parole. He also co-sponsored a bill that encourages public secondary schools managed or controlled by the state to provide courses in musical performing arts as part of their curriculum.
Representative Phillips cosponsored laws making adjustments to the medical marijuana program to further ensure public safety, protecting employee wages, and supporting the arts in 2014. In 2012, he cosponsored a law prohibiting retailers of essential commodities from engaging in price gouging during a market emergency.
during a market emergency. Representative Phillips is the former chairman of the Autumnfest Steering Committee and the Milk Fund. He is member of the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital’s Woonsocket Committee, and is the past president of the Woonsocket Jaycees. He previously served on the Tax Assessors Board of Review.
An employee at a financial institution, Representative Phillips earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island in 2005.
He was born on May 29, 1956. He and his wife, Nancy, are the parents of twin sons Matthew and Timothy and have two grandchildren, Devin and Skylar.
CURRENT LEGISLATION
H5049- AN ACT RELATING TO VACATE THE FORFEITURE OR REVOCATION OF THE CHARTER OF LODIE BRIEN AGENCY, INC
H5203- This act would permit the division of motor vehicles to suspend the registration privileges of motor carriers upon receipt of notice from the department of labor and training that the motor carrier has not secured workers' compensation insurance as required by chapters 29 through 37 of 4 title 28.
H5213- This act would change the rate of interest for underpayments of tax to prime rate plus six percent (6%). It would also limit the assessment of interest to four (4) calendar years prior to the date on which notice of the delinquent payment is sent.
H5214- This act would eliminate the ten dollar ($10.00) fee requirement for the sales tax permit.
H5215- This act would increase the exemption for estate taxes to two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) effective January 1, 2023. There would be a further increased estate tax exemption to five million dollars ($5,000,000) effective January 1, 2025.
H5705- This act would adopt the Interstate Compact to Award Prizes for Curing Diseases. The act would also provide that upon enactment by six (6) states, a commission would be established that may award prizes for successful cures for diseases.
H5706- This act would provide that school forms pertaining to vaccination requirements include 2 information about religious and medical exemptions.
H5729- This joint resolution would propose a constitutional amendment authorizing four (4) year terms for members of the general assembly, elected members from even numbered districts would begin to be elected to four (4) year terms commencing in November, 2024, while members in odd numbered districts would begin to be elected to four (4) year terms commencing in November, 5 2026.
H5742- This joint resolution would provide for submission to voters for a constitutional amendment to require that the governor and lieutenant governor form a joint candidacy (a single ticket) for elections commencing in the year 2022.
H5783- This act would authorize a special license plate for MASONIC GRAND LODGE CHARITIES OF RHODE ISLAND, specify the minimum order, and govern the amount and distribution of the fee surcharge.
H6048- This act would vest the traffic tribunal with jurisdiction over the adjudication of alleged violations of the harassment of hunters, trappers and fishers law.