2022 -- H 7729

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LC004752

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO BE KNOWN AS THE

"ELECTED AND APPOINTED MINORITY OFFICIALS COMMISSION"

     Introduced By: Representative Anastasia P. Williams

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2022

     Referred To: House Special Legislation

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission is hereby created consisting of

thirteen (13) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of Representatives, to

be appointed by the Speaker of the House; nine (9) of whom shall be distinguished members of

the minority community, three (3) of whom shall be selected by each of the appointed House

members; and one of whom shall be the Secretary of State, or designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to establish a permanent record of state and

municipal elected and appointed minority officials holding executive, legislative or judicial

office, from the founding of this state's original settlement by Roger Williams in 1636 to the

present. The records shall state the name, position and period of elected or appointed service of

each minority official.

     The list of minority officials shall include persons who are:

     (1) Black (a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa);

     (2) Hispanic (a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or

other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race);

     (3) Portuguese (a person of Portuguese, Brazilian, or other Portuguese culture or origin,

regardless of race);

     (4) Asian American (a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far

East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands);

     (5) American Indian and Alaskan Native (a person having origins in any of the original

peoples of North America; and

     (6) Members of other groups or individuals found to be economically and socially

disadvantaged.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson from among the

legislators.

     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, including access to the state archives, to said commission and its

agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this

resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission may accept and solicit funds, including any gifts,

donations, grants or bequests or any federal funds for any of the purposes of this commission; and

be it further

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

House of Representatives, the Secretary of State and the State Archivist no later than February 7,

2024, and said commission shall expire on May 7, 2024; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State is respectfully requested to publish on its

official website all information provided by the commission.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO BE KNOWN AS THE

"ELECTED AND APPOINTED MINORITY OFFICIALS COMMISSION"

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     This resolution would create a thirteen (13) member special legislative study commission

to be known as the "Elected And Appointed Minority Officials Commission" whose purpose it

would be to establish a permanent record of state and municipal elected and appointed minority

officials, and who would report back to the House of Representatives, the Secretary of State, and

the State Archivist no later than February 7, 2024, and would expire on May 7, 2024.

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LC004752

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