2017 -- S 0887

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LC002673

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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 STUDY THE RHODE ISLAND

WATER RESOURCES BOARD AND WATER SUPPLY

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Coyne, and Conley

     Date Introduced: May 11, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has been endowed with many and abundant

sources of water supplies located advantageously, for the most part, throughout the state. The

proper development, protection, conservation, and use of these water resources are essential to the

health, safety, and welfare of the general public, and to the continued growth and economic

development of the state; and

     WHEREAS, It is the duty of the water resources board to regulate the proper

development, protection, conservation and use of the water resources of the state; now, therefore

be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to be known as the "Commission to

Study the Rhode Island Water Resources Board" be and the same is hereby created consisting of

fifteen (15) members: one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Senate Environment and

Agriculture Committee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the commission; one of whom shall

be the Director of the Department of Administration, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one of

whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, or designee; one of whom

shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, or designee; one of

whom shall be a representative of an agricultural community, to be appointed by the President of

the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Water Works Association,

to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of the

Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be a representative of a conservation or similar environmental organization, to be

appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be an independent private well

owner, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of

the tourism industry, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a water

utility customer, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a

representative of a Rhode Island based manufacturer, to be appointed by the President of the

Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of a water based outdoor recreational group, to be

appointed by the President of the Senate; and one of whom shall be a Rhode Island attorney with

experience in land use, to be appointed by the President of the Senate.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to review all functions and operations of the

Water Resources Board and make recommendations to the Senate to strengthen the governance of

the state's water supply to ensure the proper development, protection, conservation and use of the

state’s water resources.

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

the call of the Chairperson of the commission.

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

     The commission shall assemble no less than four (4) times, or more often at the call of

the Chairperson, upon written notice of each meeting stating the place, day, and time of the

meeting along with the purpose and/or agenda of the meeting.

     A quorum of the Commission shall consist of a majority of its membership and the

membership 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; and be it further

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

President of the Senate no later than January 3, 2018, and said commission shall expire on March

3, 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 STUDY THE RHODE ISLAND

WATER RESOURCES BOARD AND WATER SUPPLY

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     This resolution would create a fifteen (15) member special legislative commission to be

known as the "Commission to Study the Rhode Island Water Resources Board" whose purpose it

would be to review all functions and operations of the Water Resources Board and make

recommendations, and who would report back to the Senate no later than January 3, 2018, and

whose life would expire on March 3, 2018.

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LC002673

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