2013 -- S 0730 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC01984/SUB A

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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

     Introduced By: Senators Picard, Pearson, Bates, Paiva Weed, and Walaska

     Date Introduced: March 13, 2013

     Referred To: Senate 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 155

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OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DATA AND INFORMATION

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     42-155-1. Creation of the office of economic data and information. -- The office of

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management and budget shall create an office of economic data and information.

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     42-155-2. Economic data and information advisory council. -- (a) An economic data

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and information advisory council is hereby established and shall be comprised of seven (7)

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members as follows: the director of the office of management and budget; the director of the

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department of revenue, or designee; the director of the economic development corporation, or

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designee; the director of the department of administration, or designee, and three (3) public

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members, appointed by the governor, who shall be selected based upon specific experience in

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economics, research, data analysis, and related background and training. In making the

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appointments, the governor may seek recommendations from both public and private institutions

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of higher education and other organizations within the state.

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     (b) Purpose. - The purpose of the council shall be to serve as an advisory body to the

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director of the office of management and budget on all matters pertaining to the responsibilities

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and duties of the office of economic data and information.

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     (c) The council shall meet no less than annually with the economic development

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corporation board, or a subcommittee of that board.

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     (d) All public members shall serve for a term of three (3) years and/or until their

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successors are appointed and qualified. A member shall be eligible to succeed himself or herself.

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A vacancy other than by expiration shall be filled in the same manner as an original appointment

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but only for the unexpired portion of the term.

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     (e) The members of the council shall serve without compensation.

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     (f) In addition to any other applicable law, rules or regulations, the council shall be

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subject to the provisions of chapter 42-46 ("Open Meetings") and chapter 38-2 ("Access to Public

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Records").

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     (g) The council shall be co-chaired by the director of the economic development

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corporation and one other member.

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     42-155-3. Powers of the office of economic data and information. -- (a) The office of

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economic data and information shall have the following functions:

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     (1) Establish within the government of the state of Rhode Island a central repository of

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economic data and information, coordinated from various departments and agencies;

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     (2) Serve as collection point of data and information on the Rhode Island economy;

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     (3) Prepare economic policy analysis on specific issues such as tax credits, tax

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expenditures and other related matters;

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     (4) Publish reports and analysis as it sees fit to help inform the state of the effect of

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economic activity and policy;

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     (5) Prepare and annually update a state economic data book, which shall contain a

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statistical and economic profile of the state and its region;

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     (6) Prepare and update a business climate profile for the state which shall compare the

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statistical and economic profile of the state with its neighbors and all fifty (50) states;

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     (7) Provide data to inform the strategic economic development planning process for the

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state of Rhode Island established pursuant to title 42; and

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     (8) Utilize objective data to evaluate economic development policy goals, resource use

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and outcome evaluation and to perform short and long-term policy planning and development;

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

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LC01984/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT

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     This act would establish an office of economic data and information within the office of

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management and budget.

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     This act would take effect on January 1, 2014.

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LC01984/SUB A

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