2023 -- H 6496

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LC003172

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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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 AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE REDUCED CATCH OF

QUAHOGS IN NARRAGANSETT BAY

     Introduced By: Representatives Solomon, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: June 07, 2023

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     WHEREAS, A quahog is a large, hard-shelled clam, whose shells were used for many

years by the Narragansett people for wampum; and

     WHEREAS, Native to the Atlantic coast, Quahogs feed on plankton, and plankton feeds

on nitrates, which water treatment plants can’t filter out, making quahogs a natural source for

filtering impurities out of the water, as well as being a much sought-after food; and

     WHEREAS, In 1987, the Rhode Island Legislature designated the quahog to be the

“Rhode Island State Shell’ and today, the quahog industry remains a vital part of Rhode Island’s

food industry, however, due to simply less clams, it has become a shrinking industry; now,

therefore be it

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

consisting of thirteen (13) members: two (2) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island

House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; two (2) of whom shall be

members of the Rhode Island Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be the Executive Director of Save the Bay, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Director of the Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one of whom shall be

the Executive Director of the Coastal Resources Management Council, or designee; one of whom

shall be a representative from the University of Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of

the House; one of whom shall be a representative from Roger Williams University, to be

appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the

Narragansett Bay Commission, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the RI Shell

Fisherman’s Association, or designee; one of whom shall be a RI Shell Fisherman, to be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one of whom shall be a member of the public, to be

appointed by the President of the Senate.

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

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 consents to the

member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide

recommendations on the issues relating to the reduced catch of quahogs in Narragansett Bay

including, but not limited to:

     • Nitrogen depletion;

     • Hypoxic conditions - oxygen deficiency;

     • Changing aquatic life; and

     • Climate change.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate and shall select co-Chairpersons

from among the legislative members.

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

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings to the General Assembly no

later than May 31, 2024, and said commission shall expire on June 30, 2024.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE REDUCED CATCH OF

QUAHOGS IN NARRAGANSETT BAY

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     This resolution would create a thirteen (13) member joint commission whose purpose is

to study and provide recommendations on the issues relating to the reduced catch of quahogs in

Narragansett Bay, and who would report back to the General Assembly by May 31, 2024, and

expire on June 30, 2024.

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LC003172

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