PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The state General Assembly, which is off this week for a spring recess, has transmitted 61 bills and other legislative matters to Governor Chafee so far this year.

Twelve of those bills have been signed by the governor, and 36 have become law without Chafee's signature, according to the assembly's website.

Many of those bills are non-substantive bills, such as those recognizing individual marriages, as well as resolutions creating study commissions (creating a 27-member special legislative commission to be known as "The Rhode Island Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission") or special holidays (naming Opening Day of the Pawtucket Red Sox "Ben Mondor Day").

Among the significant pieces of legislation passed since the last legislative break (in late February) are a bill that allows the state to advance its extended unemployment benefits program through the end of the year, and another that authorizes Pawtucket to borrow up to $11.6 million to pay its bills for the remaining months this fiscal year.

By way of comparison, nearly 2,000 bills, resolutions and other legislative matters have been introduced into the assembly so far: 1,067 in the state House of Representatives and 899 in the state Senate.

Additionally, the total number of bills introduced is up substantially from the February break, when the state Senate had set a deadline for introducing new legislation. (The House deadline came the following week, Mar. 3).

A total of 743 bills, resolutions and other legislative matters had been introduced at that point: 461 in the House of Representatives and 282 in the Senate.

State lawmakers are set to return for regular sessions next Tuesday, and the focus will likely be holding hearings on as many bills as possible. (The House has a deadline of committee consideration of bills on Thursday, Apr. 26.)

House spokesman Larry Berman says Speaker Gordon D. Fox will also be meeting with House Finance Committee Chairman Helio Melo as well as Senate leaders as the assembly seeks to develop alternatives to Governor Chafee's budget and sales tax overhaul plan.

The part-time assembly must pass a state budget by the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.