2015 -- H 5488 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC000561/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND MAKE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROVIDING INTERENT, CABLE TELEVISION, AND PHONE

SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN

NORTHWESTERN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Chippendale, Serpa, Amore, Handy, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2015

     Referred To: House Corporations

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

consisting of nine (9) members: four (4) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island House of

Representatives, not more than three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Rhode Island Public Utilities

Commission, or designee; one of whom shall be the Administrator of the Division of Public

Utilities and Carriers, or designee; two (2) of whom shall be telecommunication providers in the

state, to be appointed by the Speaker; and one of whom shall be the Superintendent of the Foster-

Glocester Regional School District.

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

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

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

of a legislator, provided that the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader of the political party

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

      The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and analysis of

the efficacy and fiscal impact of providing free internet, phone, and cable television services to

eligible residents in underserved communities in northwestern Rhode Island.  

     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 a chairperson. 

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

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

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

documentary and 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 directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than April 5, 2016, and said commission shall expire on June 5,

2016.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND MAKE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROVIDING INTERENT, CABLE TELEVISION, AND PHONE

SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN

NORTHWESTERN RHODE ISLAND

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     This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative study commission

whose purpose it would be to study and make recommendations on providing internet, cable

television, and phone services to eligible residents in underserved communities in northwestern

Rhode Island, and who would report back to the House no later than April 5, 2016, and whose life

would expire on June 5, 2016.

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