2014 -- S 2119

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LC003360

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

PROVIDING FOR BI-PARTISAN PREPARATORY COMMISSION TO ASSEMBLE

INFORMATION ON CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS IN PREPARATION FOR A VOTE

BY THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS ON THE HOLDING OF A CONSTITUTIONAL

CONVENTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XIV SECTION 2 OF THE RHODE

ISLAND CONSTITUTION

     Introduced By: Senators P Fogarty, Gallo, Lynch, and Ottiano

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     WHEREAS, Under the terms of Section 2 of Article XIV of the Rhode Island

Constitution the question “Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the constitution?” may

appear on the ballot at the next general election; and

     WHEREAS, Section 2 of Article XIV further provides that “Prior to a vote by the

qualified electors on the holding of a convention, the general assembly…shall provide for a bi-

partisan preparatory commission to assemble information on constitutional questions for the

electors …” now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That upon enactment of a law providing for placing on the ballot at the

next general election the question “Shall there be a convention to amend or revise the

constitution?” a preparatory commission shall forthwith be created to assemble information on

constitutional questions for the electors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That such preparatory commission shall consist of fourteen (14) members,

appointed as herein provided, to serve until the submission of their final report; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint four (4)

members of the house of representatives, not more than three (3) of whom shall be from the same

political party; the president of the senate shall appoint four (4) senators, no more than three (3)

of whom shall be from the same political party; six (6) members of the public, none of whom

shall be a member of any political committee, nor holder of any public office, shall be appointed

as follows: two (2) by the speaker of the house of representatives; one by the house minority

leader; two (2) by the president of the senate; and one by the senate minority leader; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the preparatory commission shall report its findings to the governor,

the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the minority leaders of the

house and senate, and to the public, through the news media, no later than September 1, 2014.

     FORTHWITH, upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall

meet at the call of the speaker of the house and organize and shall select from among themselves

a chairperson. Vacancies on the commission shall be filled in like manner as the original

appointment.

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

shall be allowed their travel and necessary expenses. The commission may engage such clerical,

technical and other assistance as it may deem necessary to accomplish its purpose.

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

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

by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The speaker of the house is hereby authorized and requested to provide suitable quarters

for said commission.

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LC003360

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