2023 -- H 6294

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LC002782

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MERIT SYSTEM

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, and Felix

     Date Introduced: April 19, 2023

     Referred To: House Finance

     (Governor)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 36-4-16.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-4 entitled "Merit

System" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     36-4-16.4. Salaries of directors.

     (a) In the month of March of each year, the department of administration shall conduct a

public hearing to determine salaries to be paid to directors of all state executive departments for the

following year, at which hearing all persons shall have the opportunity to provide testimony, orally

and in writing. In determining these salaries, the department of administration will take into

consideration the duties and responsibilities of the aforenamed officers, as well as such related

factors as salaries paid executive positions in other states and levels of government, and in

comparable positions anywhere that require similar skills, experience, or training. Consideration

shall also be given to the amounts of salary adjustments made for other state employees during the

period that pay for directors was set last.

     (b) Each salary determined by the department of administration will be in a flat amount,

exclusive of such other monetary provisions as longevity, educational incentive awards, or other

fringe additives accorded other state employees under provisions of law, and for which directors

are eligible and entitled.

     (c) In no event will the department of administration lower the salaries of existing directors

during their term of office.

     (d) Upon determination by the department of administration, the proposed salaries of

directors will be referred to the general assembly by the last day in April of that year to go into

effect thirty (30) days hence, unless rejected by formal action of the house and the senate acting

concurrently within that time.

     (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for 2022 only, the time period for the

department of administration to conduct the public hearing shall be extended to September and the

proposed salaries shall be referred to the general assembly by October 30. The salaries may take

effect before next year, but all other provisions of this section shall apply.

     (f) [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 231, art. 3, § 12.]

     (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any law to the contrary, for 2022 2023

only, the salary of the director of the department of children, youth and families shall be determined

by the governor.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002782

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MERIT SYSTEM

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     This act would enable the governor to determine the salary of the director of the department

of children, youth and families for the year 2023.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002782

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