2020 -- H 8077

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LC005463

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH, AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE (CHANGE THE NAME OF THE

STATE)

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Almeida, Solomon, Alzate, and Hull

     Date Introduced: June 19, 2020

     Referred To: House Judiciary

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     RESOLVED, That a majority of all members elected to each house of the general

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assembly voting therefor, the following amendment to the Constitution of the state be proposed to

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the qualified electors of the state in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the

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constitution for their approval and that it take the place of the Title and the Preamble to the

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constitution and Article III, Section 3, and Article IX, Section 8, all of which are hereby amended

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to read as follows:

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CONSTITUTION

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OF THE

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

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PREAMBLE

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     We, the people of this State which state shall henceforth be known as the state of Rhode

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Island, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long

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permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and to

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transmit the same, unimpaired, to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this

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Constitution of government.

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ARTICLE III

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OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE

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     Section 3. Oath of general officers. - - All general officers shall take the following

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engagement before they act in their respective offices, to wit: You being by the free vote of the

 

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electors of this state of Rhode Island, elected unto the place of do solemnly swear (or, affirm) to

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be true and faithful unto this state, and to support the Constitution of this state and of the United

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States; that you will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties of your aforesaid office to

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the best of your abilities, according to law: So help you God. [Or: This affirmation you make and

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give upon the peril of the penalty of perjury.]

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ARTICLE IX

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OF THE EXECUTIVE POWER

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     Section 8. Commissions. -- All commissions shall be in the name and by authority of the

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State of Rhode Island; shall be sealed with the state seal, signed by the governor, and attested by

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the secretary.

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     RESOLVED, That this amendment shall take, in the Constitution of the State, the place

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of the Title and the Preamble to the constitution, and of Article III, Section 3, and Article IX,

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Section 8, of the constitution;

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     IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, That the said proposition of amendment contained in this

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resolution shall be submitted to the electors for their approval or rejection at the next statewide

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general election to be held in November, 2020. The voting places in the several cities and towns

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shall be kept open during the hours required by law for voting therein for the members of the

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general assembly and such other officials as may be up for election; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause the said proposition of amendment to

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be published as a part of this resolution in the newspapers of the state prior to the date of the said

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meetings of the electors; and the said proposition shall be inserted in the warrants or notices to be

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issued previous to said meetings of the electors for the purpose of warning the town, ward, or

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district meetings, and said proposition shall be read by the town, ward or district clerks to the

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electors in the town, ward or district meetings to be held as aforesaid; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the town, ward and district meetings to be held aforesaid shall be

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warned, and the list of voters shall be canvassed and made up, and the said town, ward and

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district meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as now provided by law for the town,

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ward and district meetings for the election of members of the general assembly and such other

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officials as may be up for election.

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LC005463

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