2017 -- H 5478

========

LC001368

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - RHODE ISLAND SAILING

EVENTS COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, McNamara, Diaz, Carson, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2017

     Referred To: House Small Business

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative Findings.

     (1) Rhode Island has had a long history of yacht racing, was home of the designers and

builders of the fastest and most elegant sailboats of the Gilded Age and was the site of the

America’s Cup defense from 1930 to 1983.

     (2) Rhode Island has a worldwide reputation as an excellent venue for sailing and boating

events, including the National One-Design Championship, the Newport to Bermuda Race and the

Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Ocean Race.

     (3) Rhode Island is home to highly developed marine facilities, such as the Newport

Shipyard, Melville Marina and numerous yacht clubs based in the seventeen (17) coastal

communities.

     (4) Major improvements to the facilities at Fort Adams State Park provide critical support

for championship sailing in Rhode Island while attracting and enhancing large-scale competitive

sailing events to the state.

     (5) These improvements and coordinated efforts of state and private organizations have

helped attract new international championship racing events, including the Volvo Around the

World Ocean Race in 2018.

     (6) The sport of sailing has changed dramatically since 1980 when the Rhode Island State

Yachting Committee was formed, with sailing events attracting larger audiences, generating

greater economic impact and needing increased support from state and host communities.

     SECTION 2. TITLE 42 of the General Laws entitled "State Affairs and Government" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 159

RHODE ISLAND SAILING EVENTS COMMISSION

     42-159-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Rhode Island Sailing Events

Commission."

     42-159-2. Creation of the commission.

      There is hereby created and established a permanent commission to be known as the

Rhode Island Sailing Events Commission hereinafter referred to as the "commission."

     42-159-3. Membership of the commission.

     (a) The commission shall consist of twenty-one (21) members as follows:

     (1) The director of the department of environmental management, or designee;

     (2) A representative of the Rhode Island marine trades industry;

     (3) A representative of a Rhode Island collegiate sailing program;

     (4) A representative of Sail Newport;

     (5) The president/chief executive officer of Discover Newport, or designee;

     (6) A representative of the city of Newport;

     (7) The president/chief operating officer of the Rhode Island commerce corporation, or

designee;

     (8) A representative of sailing for the disabled;

     (9) A representative who has been involved with the planning of America’s Cup events;

     (10) A representative of US Sailing;

     (11) A representative of the Narragansett Bay Yacht Association;

     (12) One representative from three (3) Rhode Island yacht clubs selected by the general

assembly in accordance with subsection (b); and

     (13) Seven (7) representatives from the general public.

     (b) The governor shall serve as honorary chairperson of the commission and shall appoint

its chairperson from among the members. In the event of the absence or disability of both the

chairperson and vice chairperson, the members of the commission shall elect a temporary

chairperson by a majority vote of those present and voting. The general assembly shall select the

three (3) Rhode Island yacht clubs and shall appoint the seven (7) representatives from the

general public.

LC001368 - Page 2 of 4

     (c) Should any member cease to be an officer or employee of the unit or agency they are

appointed to represent, their membership on the commission shall terminate immediately. Any

vacancy on the commission shall be filled by the appointing authority in the same manner as the

original appointment.

     (d) Twelve (12) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

     (e) The commission shall adopt policies concerning the responsibilities of its voting

members, including attendance at commission meetings.

     42-159-4. Terms of office.

     The members shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years except that of the twenty-one

(21) members originally appointed by each of the appointing authorities; seven (7) shall be

appointed for a term of one year, seven (7) shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years and

seven (7) for a term of three (3) years.

     42-159-5. Purpose.

     The commission is created and established to identify, evaluate, and support nationally

and internationally recognized sailing and marine events, both amateur and professional, and to

attract and encourage activity in Rhode Island. In addition, the commission shall advise state and

local leaders on the suitability and practicality of hosting qualified marine events in the state.

     42-159-6. Authority.

     (a) The commission is authorized to accept and expend funds from the state of Rhode

Island, in carrying out the commission's efforts to manage financial support for sailing events. In

coordination with the Rhode Island Sailing Foundation, the commission is authorized to solicit

grants and charitable funds or in-kind contributions from public and private individuals and

organizations to fund projects and programs.

     (b) The allocation of any funds received shall be decided by a majority vote of voting

members in attendance at a meeting duly convened for the conduct of business by the

commission.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC001368

========

LC001368 - Page 3 of 4

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - RHODE ISLAND SAILING

EVENTS COMMISSION

***

     This act would create the Rhode Island Sailing Events Commission in order to attract

amateur and professional marine events in Rhode Island. The commission would advise state and

local leaders on the suitability of hosting such activities.

      This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC001368

========

LC001368 - Page 4 of 4