2020 -- H 7705

========

LC004838

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

____________

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ENTIRE AREA

OF LAND USE, PRESERVATION, DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, O'Brien, Noret, McEntee, and Carson

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2020

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is the smallest state in terms of its geographical surface land

area, which makes this surface land area an important resource; and

     WHEREAS, It is important for Rhode Island to address issues of land use, preservation,

development, and regulation in a way that properly manages the use of this important resource to

insure and promote land use which allows for both growth and sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island, like most of the nation, is facing a shortage of affordable

housing; and land use regulations, particularly zoning ordinances, have a major impact on the

availability of affordable and decent housing; and

     WHEREAS, The implications of global warming and climate change on land use

planning are becoming more consequential to our state each year; and

     WHEREAS, At this time, it is appropriate for the General Assembly to undertake a broad

based review of comprehensive land use in this state; now, therefore, be it

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

consisting of twenty-three (23) members: one of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island

Housing Board of Commissioners, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom

shall be employed with the Division of Statewide Planning, to be appointed by the Speaker of the

House; one of whom shall be a representative of the real estate industry, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a representative of an environmental group, to be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a municipal planner, to be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be an attorney with land use expertise,

to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; six (6) of whom shall be members of the public,

who, whenever possible, shall be competent by training or experience in the fields of solar

energy, offshore wind power, civil engineering, land surveying, commerce, or who are

representatives from Save the Bay, the Department of Environmental Management, the Audubon

Society of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, or Grow

Smart Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a

municipal planner, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be an

attorney with land use expertise, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom

shall be a representative of the building trades industry, to be appointed by the President of the

Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of an environmental group, to be appointed by the

President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative from a city zoning board, to be

appointed by the President of the Senate; and six (6) of whom shall be members of the public,

who, whenever possible, shall be competent by training or experience in the fields of solar

energy, offshore wind power, civil engineering, land surveying, commerce, or who are

representatives from Save the Bay, the department of environmental management, the Audubon

Society of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, or Grow

Smart Rhode Island, to be appointed by the President of the Senate.

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

area of land use, preservation, development, and regulation, and to undertake a broad based

review of comprehensive land use in the state, and provide recommendations, based upon this

study and review, that will enable the state to ensure and promote land use which allows for both

growth and sustainability.

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

at the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate and organize and shall each

select a co-chairperson.

     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

LC004838 - Page 2 of 3

General Assembly on or before April 30, 2021, and said commission shall expire on June 30,

2021.

========

LC004838

========

LC004838 - Page 3 of 3