2017 -- S 0556

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LC001806

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO REVIEW AND MAKE

RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE UPDATING, STREAMLINING AND

ENSURING RELEVANCE OF RHODE ISLAND GENERAL LAWS TITLE 16

     Introduced By: Senators DiPalma, Gallo, Conley, Metts, and Seveney

     Date Introduced: March 15, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Education

     WHEREAS, Title 16 of the Rhode Island General Laws is the set of laws that govern

education in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Many laws exist that are no longer relevant to a twenty-first century

education; and

     WHEREAS; It is timely that these laws are reviewed to ensure that no statutory barrier

exists to provide our students with a world class education; now, therefore be it

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

consisting of fourteen (14) members: five (5) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more

than four (4) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or designee; one of

whom shall be the Commissioner of Postsecondary Education, or designee; one of whom shall be

the President of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, or designee; one of whom

shall be the President of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, or designee; one of

whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island School Superintendents’ Association, or

designee; one of whom shall be the President of the National Education Association of Rhode

Island; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health

Professionals; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island PTA, or designee; and one

of whom shall be the Executive Director of Young Voices, or designee.

     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 appointment of the member of the general public.

     The purpose of the said commission shall be to conduct a comprehensive review and

make recommendations to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the

Office of the Postsecondary Commission and any other state agency regarding the updating,

streamlining and ensuring relevance of the laws contained in Rhode Island General Laws Title

16.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Chair, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate. 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 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 Joint Committee on Legislative Services 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

President of the Senate on or before March 1, 2018, and said commission shall expire on July 1,

2018.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO REVIEW AND MAKE

RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE UPDATING, STREAMLINING AND

ENSURING RELEVANCE OF RHODE ISLAND GENERAL LAWS TITLE 16

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     This resolution would create a fourteen (14) member special legislative commission

whose purpose it would be to conduct a comprehensive review and make recommendations to the

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Office of the Postsecondary

Commission and any other state agency regarding the updating, streamlining and ensuring

relevance of the laws contained in Rhode Island General Laws Title 16, and who would report

back to the Senate no later than March 1, 2018, and whose life would expire on July 1, 2018.

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LC001806

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