2015 -- H 6096

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LC002443

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON

SMALL BUSINESS

     Introduced By: Representative Patricia A. Serpa

     Date Introduced: April 16, 2015

     Referred To: House Small Business

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 22-7.6-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 22-7.6 entitled "Permanent

Joint Committee on Small Business" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     22-7.6-4. Duties. – (a) It shall be the duty of the joint committee to promote the

development of legislation affecting small business regulatory matters including, but not limited

to, taxation, licensing, loan programs, simplification of government rules and regulations,

technical assistance, and assistance in industrial development for both incorporated and

unincorporated small businesses.

     (b) Commencing January 1, 2016, the joint committee shall assume the additional duty of

determining that as to the composition of all advisory boards, advisory commissions and advisory

committees established by the general assembly dealing with matters of economic development

and/or job creation, twenty percent (20%) of the membership of said boards, commissions and

committees shall consist of members of the small business community as defined in § 22-7.6-

1(15), or from larger businesses.

     SECTION 2. Section 7-6-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 7-6 entitled "Rhode Island

Nonprofit Corporation Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     7-6-15. Members. – (a) A corporation may have one or more classes of members or may

have no members. If the corporation has one or more classes of members, the designation of the

class or classes, the manner of election or appointment, and the qualifications and rights of the

members of each class shall be stated in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. If the

corporation has no members, that fact shall be stated in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws.

A corporation may issue certificates evidencing membership. The directors, officers, employees,

and members of the corporation are not liable on its obligations.

     (b) Commencing January 1, 2016, all corporations having one or more classes of

members shall be required to appoint twenty percent (20%) of the members of each class from the

members of the small business community as defined in § 22-7.6-1(15) or from larger businesses.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON

SMALL BUSINESS

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     This act would require that all advisory committees, commissions and boards dealing

with matters of economic development and/or job creation created by the general assembly on or

after January 1, 2016 would consist of members selected from the small business community or

from larger businesses, equaling twenty percent (20%) of said committees, commissions or

boards as well as all classes of members of nonprofit corporations formed on or after January 1,

2016.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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