2013 -- H 6069

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LC02354

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING COUNCIL

     Introduced By: Representatives Mattiello, Keable, Tomasso, O'Brien, and Craven

     Date Introduced: May 01, 2013

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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     CHAPTER 64.16

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COUNCIL

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     42-64.16-1. Statewide economic planning council established. -- (a) During the first

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year of each new gubernatorial administration, the governor shall create and appoint an economic

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development planning council consisting of no fewer than fifteen (15) members as follows:

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     (1) One of whom shall be the secretary of commerce, who shall serve as chair;

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     (2) One of whom shall be the director of administration;

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     (3) One of whom shall be the director of revenue;

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     (4) One of whom shall be commissioner of elementary and secondary education;

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     (5) One of whom shall be commissioner of higher education;

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     (6) One of whom shall be the director of transportation;

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     (7) One of whom shall be from the governor’s policy office;

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     Eight (8) other members who shall be appointed by the governor, giving consideration to

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seeking members from the following disciplines and backgrounds:

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     (i) Private higher education;

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     (ii) Municipalities;

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     (iii) Development;

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     (iv) Venture capital;

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     (v) Labor; and

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     (vi) Such other disciplines and background that the governor deems appropriate.

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     (b) The governor may also appoint additional members of regional and local economic

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development groups and members of the business community to serve on the council. Members

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of the council shall serve for a term of one year or until an economic development policy has

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been approved by the governor under this section.

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     (c)The secretary of commerce, with the assistance of the economic development planning

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council appointed under this section, shall develop and implement a written comprehensive

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economic development policy for the state and a strategic plan for implementing the policy. The

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policy shall set long term goals and measurable benchmarks which are not limited to a particular

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gubernatorial administration and shall give consideration to any impacts the plan may have on

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businesses employing ten (10) or fewer people. The strategic plan shall include any major

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economic development initiatives and programs of the secretary of commerce and any agencies

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subject to this section.

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     (d) In developing the policy, the council shall review the published economic

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development policy and plan in effect at the commencement of the governor's term of office and

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may hold public hearings throughout the state.

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     (e) Once the policy and plan have been adopted by the secretary and the council, the

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council shall submit the policy and plan to the speaker of the house and president of the senate.

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The final approval of the policy and plan by the governor shall not be granted until the house and

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senate have conducted a public hearing on the policy and plan. The approved policy and plan

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shall be published in writing and on the official website of the state not later than December 31 of

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that year.

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     (f) Interim policy and plan. - No later than January 1, 2014, statewide planning shall

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develop an interim economic development policy and strategic plan that is substantially similar to

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the four (4) year policy and plan required by this section. The final approval of the interim policy

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and plan by the governor shall not be granted until the house and senate have conducted a public

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hearing on the interim policy and plan.

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     42-64.16-2. Cooperation required. -- The executive office of commerce shall be

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responsible for staffing the work of the economic development planning council, and the division

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of planning in the department of administration shall also provide staff support. All departments

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represented on the council shall cooperate with the executive office of commerce and the division

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of planning to facilitate the purposes of this chapter. All departments, offices, boards and

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agencies of the state shall cooperate with the council of economic advisors and furnish such

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administrative and staff support, advice, information, documents and otherwise, data and data

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analysis and other support as may be necessary or desirable.

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     42-64.16-3. Council subject to economic planning council open meetings and access

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to public records laws. -- In addition to any other applicable law, rules or regulations, the

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economic planning council shall be subject to the provisions of the open meetings act as set forth

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in title 42, chapter 46 of the Rhode Island general laws, and the access to public records act as set

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forth in title 38, chapter 2 of the Rhode Island general laws.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2014.

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LC02354

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING COUNCIL

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     This act would establish a new economic development planning council. This act would

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direct said council to develop a written comprehensive economic development policy for the state

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and a strategic plan for implementing such policy.

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     This act would take effect on January 1, 2014.

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LC02354

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