2017 -- S 0961

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LC002896

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE EFFECTS OF

ENACTING A LINE ITEM VETO, POTENTIAL RHODE ISLAND CONSTITUTIONAL

AMENDMENTS FOR A GOVERNOR RUNOFF, AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

ELECTION OF THE GOVERNOR

     Introduced By: Senator Frank S. Lombardi

     Date Introduced: June 15, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight

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

consisting of twelve (12) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island

House of Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by

the Speaker of the House; three (3) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island Senate, not

more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

one of whom shall be an attorney with a background in Rhode Island Constitutional jurisprudence

and research, with a background in economics, finance and/or political science, to be appointed

by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a retired educator from a public institution of

higher education in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom

shall be the President of the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants, or designee;

one of whom shall be a retired judge of the Rhode Island Judiciary, to be appointed by the

President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a former general officer of the State of Rhode

Island, to be appointed jointly by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be a representative of a large Rhode Island public service employer that has

significant knowledge of the state budget process, to be appointed by the President of the Senate.

     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 the commission shall be to make a comprehensive study of the policy,

political, and fiscal considerations of a line item veto in Rhode Island, including but not limited to

an examination of the constitutional balance of power between the three branches of government

in Rhode Island post- separation of powers, the roles of the Rhode Island legislative and

executive branches of government in a modern society and economy, including the relative

relationship and responsiveness of each branch to the public pursuant to their constitutional

duties, obligations and responsibilities. The commission shall also examine the cost and benefits,

both political and fiscal, to a constitutional amendment that would require a run-off election for

Governor when one candidate does not receive a majority of the votes cast in a general election.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, to organize and select co-

chairpersons from among the legislators, one co-chairperson from each chamber of the

legislature.

     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 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

General Assembly no later than April 5, 2018, and said commission shall expire on May 7, 2018.

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LC002896

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