2018 -- H 7801

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LC004268

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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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 POSSIBILITY OF

TRANSITIONING THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A

BIENNIAL BUDGET

     Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Shekarchi, Ackerman, Marshall, and Mendonca

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2018

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, As of 2012, there were nineteen states with biennial budgets, including

some very populous states such as, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas, as well as smaller states,

including our neighbor, Connecticut; and

     WHEREAS, Over the years, several states have switched both to and from biennial

budgets for a variety of reasons; and

     WHEREAS, It is prudent at this time to evaluate the benefits of transitioning Rhode

Island to biennial budgeting; now, therefore be it

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

consisting of thirteen (13) members; four (4) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, one of whom shall be the Chair of the House Finance Committee, and two (2) of

whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and one of whom shall be appointed by the

House Minority Leader; four (4) of whom shall be members of the Senate, one of whom shall be

the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the

President of the Senate and one of whom shall be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; one

of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Office of Management and Budget, or

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

or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Budget Office, or designee; one of whom

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

Executive Director of Partnership for Rhode Island, 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 consent to the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study on the

possibility of transitioning the state to establishing a biennial budget.

     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. The Chair of the House

Finance Committee and the Chair of the Senate Finance Committee shall serve as co-

chairpersons.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filed 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 and the Office of the Governor no later than February 1, 2019, and said

commission shall expire on July 1, 2019.

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LC004268

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