04 –R 350

2004 -- S 3228

Enacted 06/24/04

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL SENATE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE CONSOLIDATION OF RHODE ISLAND'S 39 CITIES' AND TOWNS' MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL FINANCIAL DEPARTMENTS

Introduced By: Senators Connors, Paiva-Weed, and Goodwin

Date Introduced: June 24, 2004

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

consisting of nine (9) members: five (5) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more than

three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one (1) of

whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or

designee; one (1) of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Association of

School Superintendents, or designee; and one (1) of whom shall be a municipal town or city

financial manager, to be appointed by the Director of the Rhode Island City and Town Managers

Association; and one (1) of whom shall be a school financial manager, to be appointed by the

President of the Rhode Island Association of School Administrators.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any 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 consent to the member of the general public.

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

consolidate Rhode Island’s 39 cities’ and towns’ municipal and school financial departments into

the existing municipal financial departments in order to promote efficiency, improve fiscal

controls and centralize financial accountability within these departments.

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

the call of the President of the Senate and organize and shall select, from among the legislators, a

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

Senate no later than June 15, 2005 and said commission shall expire on August 15, 2005.

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LC03749

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