Rhode Island General Assembly nears end of session

State House

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island legislature is nearing the end of its annual session as the state Senate prepares to pass next year’s $8.9 billion budget and both chambers are racing to pass dozens of bills.

The House of Representatives is aiming to adjourn its session as early as Friday after passing dozens of bills on Thursday night. The Senate could also finish soon.

Both chambers on Thursday passed legislation to put an ethics reform question on the November ballot. It will ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment giving the state Ethics Commission power to investigate lawmakers for potential conflicts of interest.

Among the issues still unresolved are dueling proposals to regulate ride-booking companies such as Uber, and legislation that would mandate 20 minutes of school recess each day.