2012 -- S 2694 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC02076/SUB A

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY RHODE ISLAND'S

MINIMUM PRICING STATUTES

     Introduced By: Senator Juan M. Pichardo

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

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     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

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consisting of twelve (12) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more

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than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of

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the Senate; and three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of Representatives, not more

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than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the

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House; the Director of the Division of Taxation or his designee; a representative of the New

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England Convenience Stores Association; a representative who is a tobacco wholesaler

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distributer; a representative from the dairy industry; a member of the general public to be

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appointed by the Governor; and an individual with expertise in finance or consumer economics,

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to be appointed by the Governor. The commission shall adopt rules and establish procedures it

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considers necessary for the conduct of its business.

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     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

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commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly

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resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

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of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which

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is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

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     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study of all Rhode

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Island laws and regulations pertaining to minimum pricing and to make recommendations to: (1)

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Examine the minimum pricing laws in existence in Rhode Island and the purpose behind their

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initial creation; (2) Examine the minimum pricing laws of Rhode Island’s neighboring states; (3)

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Provide an analysis of the impact of the Rhode Island minimum pricing laws on the cost and price

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of products so regulated; (4) Provide an analysis of the impact of the neighboring states’

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minimum pricing laws on the cost and price of products so regulated; and (5) Develop

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recommendations as to whether Rhode Island’s minimum pricing laws continue to serve their

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original purpose.

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     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

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the call of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House and organize. The President

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of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall each select one member to serve as co-

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chairpersons of the commission.

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     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

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The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services. All

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departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and

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otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the

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commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

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     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

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suitable quarters in the State House for said commission; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and results to the general

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assembly on or before January 17, 2013, and said commission shall expire on February 14, 2013.

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LC02076/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY RHODE ISLAND'S

MINIMUM PRICING STATUTES

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     This resolution would create a special legislative commission whose purpose it would be

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to make a comprehensive study of Rhode Island’s minimum pricing statutes and whether Rhode

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Island’s minimum pricing laws continue to serve their original purpose, and whether such laws

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are putting Rhode Island and its businesses and residents at a competitive disadvantage compared

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to neighboring states, and who would report back to the general assembly no later than January

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17, 2013, and whose life would expire on February 14, 2013.

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LC02076/SUB A

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