2013 -- S 0730 SUBSTITUTE B

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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. Findings and purpose.

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     WHEREAS, There is a need for state governments to generate data and information to

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use in policy analysis; and

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     WHEREAS, The state of Rhode Island should collect, gather and share data and

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information about the state and the economy; and

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     WHEREAS, The state of Rhode Island does not have a central repository of data and

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information; and

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     WHEREAS, There is a need for sound economic policy analysis to better understand the

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economy within the state and how the state’s economy interacts with other areas and regions; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s current economic climate and budget challenges require the

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evaluation and better understanding of the economic conditions facing the state; and

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     RESOLVED, That the state should and by this legislation shall create the organization

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that will be responsible for the collection of economic data and preparation of economic analysis.

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     SECTION 2. 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 64.18

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COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS

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     42-64.18-1. Council of economic advisors established. -- (a) There is hereby

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established a council of economic advisors who shall consist of the following nine (9) members

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appointed by the governor:

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     (1) The following shall be ex-officio members:

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     (i)(A) The executive director of the economic development corporation until such time

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that the secretary of commerce is appointed;

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     (B) Upon his or her appointment, the secretary of commerce;

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     (ii) Director of the office of management and budget;

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     (iii) A representative from the office of revenue analysis;

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     (iv) Director of labor management information systems;

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     (2) In addition to the four ex-officio members, there shall be five (5) public members

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selected by the governor.

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     (3) The five (5) public members selected by the governor shall be selected based upon

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specific experience in economics, research and related training. The governor may seek

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recommendations from both public and private institutions of higher education and other

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organizations within the state.

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     42-64.18-2. Purpose and charge to the council. -- The council shall:

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     (1) Be a collection point of data and information on the economy of Rhode Island;

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     (2) Advise on economic policy for the governor, the executive office of commerce, and

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the state;

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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 analyses as it sees fit to inform the state of the effect of economic

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activity and policy;

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     (5) Establish a central repository of economic information in conjunction with the

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department of administration and the department of revenue and other state departments;

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     (6) Prepare an annual report on the economy of Rhode Island; and

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     (7) Review and advise on the strategic economic development plan for the state of Rhode

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Island.

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     42-64.18-3. Structure. -- (a) The members of the council shall be appointed by the

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governor for terms of no longer than three (3) years and may be reappointed. The executive

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director of the economic development corporation shall be the chairperson until such time that the

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secretary of commerce is appointed;

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     Upon his or her appointment, the secretary of commerce shall be the chairperson. The

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council shall also select a vice chair. The council shall be staffed through the economic

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development corporation and shall utilize the staffs and resources of the division of statewide

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planning.

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     (b) The council will be able to hire, subject to funding, consultants and related assistance

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to provide the type of analysis to inform its work.

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     42-64.18-4. State departments to cooperate with council. -- All departments, offices,

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

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

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data analysis and other support as may be necessary or desirable.

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     42-64.18-5. Powers of council. -- In carrying out the responsibility under this chapter,

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the council may:

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     (1) Accept grant funds and in-kind contributions from governmental and private entities;

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     (2) Conduct hearings;

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     (3) Invite academic experts and other witnesses to submit testimony; and

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     (4) Contract with experts and consultants as necessary to inform on deliberations and

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recommendations.

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     42-64.18-6. Council subject to open meetings and access to public records laws. -- In

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addition to any other applicable law, rules or regulations, the council of economic advisors shall

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be subject to the provisions of the open meetings act as set forth in title 42, chapter 46 of the

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Rhode Island general laws, and the access to public records act as set forth in title 38, chapter 2 of

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the Rhode Island general laws.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2014.

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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 a new council of economic advisors. This act would direct said

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council to gather economic data and information on the Rhode Island economy.

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     This act would take effect on January 1, 2014.

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