2012 -- H 7699

=======

LC01717

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - THE RHODE ISLAND PORT

MARKETING COLLABORATIVE OF 2012

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Gallison, Chippendale, Tanzi, and DaSilva

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2012

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

1-2

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

1-3

     CHAPTER 64.15

1-4

THE RHODE ISLAND PORT MARKETING COLLABORATIVE OF 2012

1-5

     42-64.15-1. Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode

1-6

Island Port Marketing Collaborative of 2012.”

1-7

     42-64.15-2. Legislative findings. – (a) It is found that our state has a long maritime

1-8

history which has benefited the public through improved employment opportunities, increased tax

1-9

revenues, improved logistics services and reduced transportation costs for consumers and

1-10

businesses.

1-11

     (b) It is further found that some of Rhode Island’s greatest resources exist in its

1-12

waterfronts and ports, allowing Rhode Island to be competitive on regional, national, and

1-13

international levels.

1-14

     (c) It is further found that the development and implementation of a statewide port

1-15

strategy is critical to economic development in the state of Rhode Island.

1-16

     (d) It is further found that a statewide port strategy will help alleviate the substantial and

1-17

persistent unemployment and underemployment which causes hardship to many of the state’s

1-18

individuals and families.

2-19

     (e) It is further found and declared that it is the public policy of the state to encourage the

2-20

expansion and development of the state’s harbors, ports and related infrastructure; to foster and

2-21

improve the handling of waterborne commerce from and to any port of this state and other states

2-22

and foreign countries; to seek to improve the competitive posture of ports of this state and other

2-23

states and foreign countries; to seek to improve the competitive posture of ports of this state and

2-24

to promote a spirit of cooperation among these ports in the interest of the state as a whole; to

2-25

initiate and further plan for the responsible development and marketing of the ports of this state

2-26

and to keep the government and citizens of Rhode Island informed as to their present and future

2-27

requirements.

2-28

     (f) It is further found and declared to be the policy of the state to promote a vigorous and

2-29

growing maritime economy, to prevent economic stagnation, and to encourage the creation of

2-30

new job opportunities in order to ameliorate the hazards of unemployment and underemployment,

2-31

reduce the level of public assistance, increase revenues to the state and its municipalities, and to

2-32

achieve a thriving and diversified economy.

2-33

     42-64.15-3. Definitions. – When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the

2-34

following meanings:

2-35

     (1) “Collaborative” means the Rhode Island port marketing collaborative established

2-36

pursuant to section 20-38-4;

2-37

     (2) “State agencies” means state entities responsible for the implementation of Rhode

2-38

Island’s seaport management and economic development, including, but not be limited to:

2-39

     (i) The department of environmental management;

2-40

     (ii) The economic development corporation;

2-41

     (iii) The coastal resources management council; and

2-42

     (v) The department of administration.

2-43

     42-64.15-4. Collaborative established. – (a) There is hereby created an interagency

2-44

collaborative known as “The Rhode Island Port Marketing Collaborative” consisting of sixteen

2-45

(16) members as follows:

2-46

     (1) One of whom shall be the governor’s port economic policy ombudsperson, who shall

2-47

be chairperson;

2-48

     (2) One of whom shall be the director of the RI bays, rivers, and watersheds coordination

2-49

team;

2-50

     (3) One of whom shall be the executive director of the economic development

2-51

corporation, or his or her designee;

2-52

     (4) One of whom shall be the executive director of the Quonset development corporation,

2-53

or his or her designee;

3-1

     (5) One of whom shall be a representative from other port-related businesses in the ports

3-2

of Quonset Point/Davisville appointed by the speaker of the house;

3-3

     (6) One of whom shall be a representative from other port-related businesses in the ports

3-4

of Quonset Point/Davisville appointed by the president of the senate;

3-5

     (7) One of whom shall be the director of the North Kingstown chamber of commerce or

3-6

his or her designee;

3-7

     (8) One of whom shall be a representative from Prov-Port;

3-8

     (9) One of whom shall be a representative from other port-related businesses in the port

3-9

of Providence appointed by the speaker of the house;

3-10

     (10) One of whom shall be a representative from other port-related businesses in the port

3-11

of Providence appointed by the president of the senate;

3-12

     (11) One of whom shall be the director of the Providence chamber of commerce, or his or

3-13

her designee;

3-14

     (12) One of whom shall be the director of DEM or his or her designee responsible for

3-15

state ports in Galilee and Newport;

3-16

     (13) One of whom shall be a representative from a port-related business in the port of

3-17

Newport appointed by the president of the senate;

3-18

     (14) One of whom shall be a representative from a port-related business in the port of

3-19

Galilee appointed by the speaker of the house;

3-20

     (15) One of whom shall be the director of the Newport chamber of commerce or

3-21

convention and visitors bureau, or his or her designee; and

3-22

     (16) One of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island marine trades association or

3-23

his or her designee.

3-24

     (b) Forthwith upon the passage of this chapter, the members of the collaborative shall

3-25

meet at the call of the chairperson and organize. Thereafter, the collaborative shall meet quarterly

3-26

and at the call of the chairperson or three (3) members of the collaborative.

3-27

     (c) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

3-28

documentation, and otherwise to the collaborative and its agents as is deemed necessary or

3-29

desirable by the collaborative to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.

3-30

     (d) The members of the collaborative shall receive no compensation for their services.

3-31

     (e) The economic development corporation shall provide a place for the collaborative to

3-32

conduct its meetings.

3-33

     42-64.15-5. Powers and duties. – The Rhode Island port marketing collaborative shall

3-34

support the Rhode Island maritime community and collectively promote the national and

4-1

international marketing of Rhode Island seaports, including, but not limited to:

4-2

     (1) Identify opportunities for Rhode Island’s seaports to be competitive on regional,

4-3

national, and international levels;

4-4

     (2) Identify and facilitate opportunities to increase exporting from seaports;

4-5

     (3) Identify and facilitate opportunities to establish agreements with local businesses for

4-6

potential economic expansion;

4-7

     (4) Review and identify existing studies, pilot programs and initiatives of this state and

4-8

other states regarding port marketing, infrastructure development, and business development

4-9

opportunities;

4-10

     (5) Develop and implement a statewide port strategy critical to economic development,

4-11

job creation and retention in the state of Rhode Island;

4-12

     (6) Identify funding sources available to Rhode Island seaports to support marketing;

4-13

     (7) Respond to requests for information from the legislature and comment on proposed

4-14

legislation; and

4-15

     (8) Issue recommendations necessary to achieve these goals.

4-16

     42-64.15-6. Meeting and reporting requirements. – (a) The collaborative shall provide

4-17

a report of its findings addressing the research, marketing, expansion and funding opportunities

4-18

for port facilities in Rhode Island. Said report shall be provided to the governor and general

4-19

assembly by April 30, 2013.

4-20

     (b) Thereafter, the collaborative shall report to the governor and the general assembly, no

4-21

later than April 30 of each year, on the progress made in achieving the goals and objectives set

4-22

forth in this chapter and any other pertinent information by April 30, 2013.

4-23

     (c) The collaborative shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 38-2, access to public

4-24

records act, and chapter 42-46, open meetings act.

4-25

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01717

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - THE RHODE ISLAND PORT

MARKETING COLLABORATIVE OF 2012

***

5-1

     This act would establish the Rhode Island Port Marketing Collaborative of 2012 to

5-2

encourage the expansion and development of the state’s harbors, ports, and related infrastructure.

5-3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01717

=======