ARTICLE 21 SUBSTITUTE A

RELATING TO COMPENSATION OF BOARD MEMBERS

SECTION 1. Section 5-3.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-3.1 entitled "Public Accountancy" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-3.1-4. Board of accountancy. -- (a) There is created a board of accountancy in and for the state of Rhode Island, to be known as the Rhode Island board of accountancy. The board shall consist of five (5) members. All members shall be appointed by the governor. Membership of the board shall consist of three (3) members who hold certificates and valid permits to practice as certified public accountants in this state and who are in public practice as certified public accountants in this state, and one member who holds an authority and a valid permit to practice as a public accountant in this state. All four (4) of those members shall have at least ten (10) years' experience in a full-time practice of public accountancy. The fifth member shall be from the public sector and shall have professional or practical experience in the use of accounting services and financial statements as to be qualified to evaluate whether the qualifications, activities, and professional practice of those persons and firms regulated under this chapter conform with the standards established to protect the public interest. The board member from the public sector shall be designated as the public's member to the board for the term of service appointed. Except as provided, the term of the members of the board shall be five (5) years. No member of the board shall be associated in the practice of accountancy, either individually or as a member of a firm, with any other member of the board. The members of the Rhode Island board of accountancy appointed and serving under prior law on July 1, 1995, shall serve out the terms for which they were originally appointed as members of the board created by this section. Vacancies occurring during any term shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired term. Upon the expiration of his or her term of office, a member shall continue to serve until his or her successor has been appointed and has assumed office. The governor shall remove from the board any member whose certificate, authority or permit has been revoked, suspended, or not renewed. No person who has served two (2) consecutive complete terms is eligible for reappointment. Serving the remainder of an unexpired term upon appointment by the governor to fill a vacancy on the board shall not be considered as serving a complete term.

 (b) The board shall elect annually from among its members a chairperson and any other officers that it deems appropriate. The board shall meet at any times and places that are fixed by the board and in any event shall meet no less than four (4) times each year. Three (3) members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The board shall have a seal which shall be judicially noticed. The board shall retain or arrange for the retention of all applications and documents under oath that are filed with the board, and shall maintain a registry of the names and addresses of all licensees. The board shall keep records of its proceedings, and in any proceeding in court, civil or criminal, arising out of or founded upon any provision of this chapter, copies of the records certified as correct under the seal of the board are admissible in evidence.

 (c) Each member of the board shall receive compensation in the amount of thirty dollars ($30.00) for each day or portion of a day spent in the discharge of official duties as a member, to a maximum of seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750) per year, and shall  be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of those duties, but shall not receive compensation for their services on the board.

 (d) All fees and monies derived under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid to and received by the general treasurer of the state of Rhode Island, who shall keep the monies in a restricted receipt account. All monies in the restricted receipt account shall be used to reimburse the board for expenses incurred in the administration and enforcement of this chapter. The board treasurer is authorized and directed to draw orders upon the general treasurer for payment from the restricted receipt account upon receipt by the board treasurer of vouchers authenticated by the chairperson, vice chairperson, or secretary of the board.

 (e) The board shall file an annual report of its activities with the governor and the general assembly of this state. The report shall include, but not be limited to, a statement of all receipts and disbursements and a listing of all current licensees. The board shall mail a copy of that annual report, upon request, in writing, to any licensee and to any member of the public.

 (f) The board shall prescribe any rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter that it deems consistent with, or required by, the public welfare and policy established in section 5-3.1-2. Those rules and regulations may include:

 (1) Rules and regulations of procedure for governing the conduct of matters before the board;

 (2) Rules and regulations of professional conduct for establishing and maintaining high standards of competence and integrity in the profession of public accounting;

 (3) Rules and regulations governing educational and experience requirements for the issuance of certificates;

 (4) Rules and regulations establishing requirements for continuing education to promote the professional competence of holders of permits, which the board may require those holders to meet as a condition of their continuing in the practice of public accounting;

 (5) Rules and regulations governing practice units engaged in the practice of public accounting, including, but not limited to, rules and regulations concerning the style, name, title, and affiliation with any other organization, and establishing reasonable standards as to professional liability insurance;

 (6) Rules and regulations for reviewing and monitoring professional performance and conducting peer reviews;

 (7) Any other rules and regulations, which the board deems necessary or appropriate in exercising its functions under this chapter.

 (g) The promulgation of any rule, regulation, or amendment to it under subsection (f) of this section or under any other provision of this chapter shall be in accordance with section 42-35-3.

 (h) The board may employ any personnel and arrange for any assistance, legal or otherwise, that it requires for the performance of its duties. It may also establish one or more advisory committees as it deems necessary in the performance of its duties. The authority and term of that advisory committee may be permanent or temporary in nature as determined by the board.

 (i) In addition to its rulemaking authority, the board has the power to take all action that is necessary and proper to effectuate the purposes of this chapter, including the power to:

 (1) Sue and be sued in its official name as an agency of this state;

 (2) Investigate all complaints and charges of unprofessional conduct, including, but not limited to, conduct specified under section 5-3.1-12, against any licensee or any applicant for a certificate or permit, and to hold hearings, in accordance with the provisions of section 5-3.1-14, to determine whether those complaints and charges are substantiated;

 (3) Appoint one or more members of the board, legal counsel, and/or an independent investigator to act on behalf of the board in investigating the conduct of any licensee, or of any applicant for a certificate or permit, or in the alternative to appoint a probable cause committee to investigate that conduct on its behalf, the committee to be comprised of licensees in good standing, as the board determines; and

 (4) Issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and summon and examine witnesses in connection with any investigation conducted under authority of this chapter. If a subpoena is disobeyed, the board may invoke the aid of any court of competent jurisdiction in this state to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence.

 (j) The board and its members and agents are immune from personal liability for actions taken in good faith in the discharge of the board's responsibilities, and the state of Rhode Island shall indemnify the board and those members and agents for, and holds them harmless from, any and all costs, damages, and reasonable attorneys' fees arising from or related in any way to claims or actions against them as to matters to which the immunity applies.

 (k) The board shall adopt rules and regulations to implement substantial equivalency as set forth in section 5-3.1-7(g).

SECTION 2. Section 5-6-27 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-6 entitled "Electricians" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-6-27. Disposition of fees -- Annual report. -- The division shall report annually to the general assembly in the month of January a detailed statement of its receipts and disbursements during the year with a statement of its acts and proceedings and any recommendations that the division deems proper. All proceeds of any fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited as general revenues. Commissioners and board members shall not be compensated for attendance at board meetings, but reimbursement for costs and expenses of board members and commissioners shall continue.

SECTION 3. Section 5-8-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-8 entitled "Engineers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-8-5. Board -- Compensation and expenses of members. -- The chairperson and each other member of the board receives the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per meeting not to exceed one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200) annually when attending to the work of the board or any of its committees and for the time spent in necessary travel; and, in addition, is shall not be compensated for their service on the board but shall be reimbursed for all traveling, incidental, and clerical expenses necessarily incurred in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 4. Section 5-8.1-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-8.1 entitled "Land Surveyors" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-8.1-6. Board of registration for professional land surveyors -- Compensation and expenses. -- The chairperson and each other member of the board of land surveyors shall receive the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per meeting not to exceed six hundred dollars ($600) annually when attending to the work of the board or any of its committees and for the time spent in necessary travel, and not be compensated for their service on the board but shall be additionally reimbursed for all actual traveling, incidental, and clerical expenses necessarily incurred in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 5 Section 5-10-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-10 entitled "Barbers, Hairdressers, Cosmeticians, Manicurists and Estheticians" is hereby amended to read as follows: 

5-10-4. Board of barbering and hairdressing -- Compensation of members. -- Each No member of the board shall be compensated for his or her services at the rate of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per day up to a maximum of twelve hundred dollars ($1,200) per year for attendance at meetings of the board, attendance at examinations, and in addition but shall be reimbursed by the department of health for his or her traveling and other expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties provided in this chapter.

SECTION 6. Section 5-20.7-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-20.7 entitled "Real Estate Appraiser Certification Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-20.7-4. Creation of board -- Composition -- Appointment, terms and compensation of members. -- (a) (1) Within the department of business regulation, there is created the Rhode Island real estate appraisers board which shall consist of ten (10) members to be appointed by the governor. Six (6) of the board members shall be practicing appraisers and, for the initial board appointment, shall be members in good standing of one of the following professional associations or the successor associations: the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, the Society of Real estate Appraisers, the International Right of Way Association, the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers, or the International Association of Assessing Officers. Where possible, at least one but not more than two (2) appraiser appointments shall be from the membership of each of these professional organizations.

 (2) One board member shall be a member of the general public, and shall not be engaged in the practice of real estate appraisal. One board member shall hold a real estate license under chapter 20.5 of this title and shall not be a state certified real estate appraiser. One member shall be a representative of the Rhode Island banking industry. The director of the department of business regulation or his or her designee shall serve at all times as a member of the board ex officio without voting privileges.

 (3) The term of office of the initial members and the powers of the initial board expire on December 31, 1991.

 (b) Commencing January 1, 1992, and subsequently, the board shall consist of ten (10) members:

 (1) Six (6) members shall be state certified appraisers:

 (i) Two (2) appraiser members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years;

 (ii) Two (2) members for a term of two (2) years; and

 (iii) Two (2) members for a term of one year.

 (2) One board member shall be a member of the general public, appointed for a term of three (3) years, and shall not be engaged in the practice of real estate appraisal.

 (3) One board member shall hold a real estate license under chapter 20.5 of this title, appointed for a term of two (2) years and shall not be a state certified real estate appraiser.

 (4) One member shall be a representative of the Rhode Island banking industry and shall be appointed for a term of one year.

 (5) The director of the department of business regulation, or his or her designee, shall serve at all times as a member of the board ex officio without voting privileges.

 (c) (1) Successors of all members shall each be appointed for terms of three (3) years and until their successors are appointed and qualified by subscribing to the constitutional oath of office, which shall be filed with the secretary of state. Members to fill vacancies shall be appointed for the unexpired term. No member shall be appointed to succeed himself or herself for more than two (2) terms. Upon qualification of the appointed members, the board shall organize by selecting from its members a chairperson and vice-chairperson with a term of office of one year.

 (2) The board shall meet not less than once each month or as necessary in order to conduct its business, the dates and times of which shall be decided by a vote of the members.

 (3) Each real estate appraiser member of the board appointed as of January 1, 1992, must be a state certified real estate appraiser. At least one-half ( 1/2) of the appraiser members shall hold the general appraisal certificate and not less than two (2) shall hold the residential appraisal certificate.

 (4) Upon expiration of their terms, members of the board shall continue to hold office until the appointment and qualification of their successors. The appointing authority may remove a member for cause.

 (5) A quorum of the board is a majority of the voting members of the board members appointed and/or sitting, whichever is less, with at least three (3) of these members required to be appraiser members.

 (6) The department of business regulation with the assistance of the board, shall implement a program for recertification on or before July 1, 1992, and establish any reasonable rules and regulations that are appropriate to insure that the examination, education, and experience requirements of certificate and license holders meet the public interest and the minimum standards of the appraisal foundation.

 (d) The board shall adopt a seal of any design that it prescribes. Copies of all records and papers in the office of the board, duly certified and authenticated by its seal, shall be received in all courts with like effect as the original. All records of the board shall be open to public inspection under any reasonable rules and regulations that it prescribes.

 (e) Each initial and successor No member of the board shall receive as compensation for each day actually spent on his or her official duties on the board the sum of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) in but shall be reimbursed for his or her actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his or her official duties. The compensation is not to exceed fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) annually.

SECTION 7. Section 5-20.5-12 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-20.5 entitled "Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-20.5-12. Commission -- Creation -- Composition -- Appointment, terms, and compensation of members -- Officers -- Deputy directors -- Seal. -- (a) (1) Within the department of business regulation there is created the Rhode Island real estate commission, subsequently referred to as "commission", to consist of nine (9) persons at least one from each county to be appointed by the governor, each of whom has been a citizen of this state for at least ten (10) years prior to the date of appointment, three (3) of whom have been engaged as a licensed broker in this state for at least ten (10) years prior to the date of appointment, four (4) of whom are members of the general public, at least one of whom has substantial academic experience in real estate and at least one who has been active in citizen groups concerned with real estate practices and activities. Two (2) members appointed for one year; two (2) members shall be appointed for two (2) years; one member for three (3) years; one member for four (4) years; and one member for five (5) years; beginning on December 31, 1973. Successors of all members shall be appointed by the governor for terms of five (5) years each and until their successors are appointed and qualify by subscribing to the constitutional oath of office, which shall be filed with the secretary of state. Members to fill vacancies shall be appointed for the unexpired term. No member shall be appointed to succeed himself or herself for more than one full term. There are two (2) ex-officio members of the commission and they are the attorney general or his or her designee and the director of the department or his or her designee. All ex-officio members have full voting powers and serve without compensation. Upon qualification of the members appointed, the commission shall organize by selecting from its members a chairperson.

 (2) The commission shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations to carry out its purposes. The division of professional regulation with the assistance of the commission shall implement a recertification program on or before January 1, 1982, and establish any reasonable rules and regulations that are appropriate for that program to insure that education and practice requirements of license holders meet the public interest.

 (b) The director shall employ a deputy director and any other employees that he or she deems necessary and proper to discharge the duties imposed by this chapter, and shall determine and prescribe their duties and fix their compensation, subject to the general laws of the state.

 (c) Each No member of the commission shall receive as compensation for each day actually spent on his or her official duties the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and but shall be reimbursed for his or her actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his or her official duties. This compensation shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars ($1,200) annually.

 (d) The commission shall adopt a seal of any design that it prescribes. Copies of all records and papers in the office of the commission, duly certified and authenticated by its seal, shall be received in evidence in all courts with like effect as the original. All records of the commission are open to public inspection under any reasonable rules and regulations that it prescribes.

 (e) The commission shall have a policy-making role in the preparation and composition of the examinations to be administered by the division of professional regulation. Subsequent to the administration of the examination, the commission shall review the examinations to evaluate their effectiveness. The commission shall supervise the operations of the division in an advisory capacity in promulgating any policy that is necessary to improve the operations of the division in their areas of expertise. The promulgation of that policy is subject to the approval of the director of the department of business regulation.

SECTION 8. Section 5-26-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-26 entitled "Division of Professional Regulation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-26-5. Holding of examinations -- Compensation of examiners. -- The director of health shall cause examinations to be held as required by law for the various arts and practices enumerated in section 5-26-2, and the director is authorized and directed to pay those examiners for conducting examinations any fees that are by law required, but in cases where no definite sum is specified the director is authorized to pay those examiners any fees that in his or her judgment are suitable, not exceeding twenty dollars ($20.00) per day, excepting the examiners in embalming who shall be paid a fee not exceeding forty dollars ($40.00) per day.  Members of each board of examiners as enumerated in section 5-26-2 shall not be compensated for their service on the board of examiners.

SECTION 9. Section 5-30-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-30 entitled "Chiropractors" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-30-15. Disposition of fees -- Compensation of board members. -- The administrator of the division of professional regulation shall collect all fees for the division under the provisions of this chapter, and shall remit those fees to the general treasurer monthly. Under no circumstances shall any fee be returned. The director of health is authorized and directed to pay members Members of the board of chiropractic examiners ten dollars ($10.00) per day shall not be compensated for actual attendance at meetings of the board.

SECTION 10. Section 5-31.1-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-31.1 entitled "Dentists and Dental Hygienists" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-31.1-2. Board of examiners in dentistry -- Members -- Compensation -- Funds. -- (a) There is created within the department of health the Rhode Island board of examiners in dentistry, which is composed of the following members:

 (1) Six (6) licensed dentists;

 (2) Four (4) public members not associated with the dental field;

 (3) Two (2) licensed dental hygienists; and

 (4) The chief of the office of dental public health, who serves as a member of the board.

 (b) The governor shall appoint the members of the board, except that prior to appointing the six (6) dentist members the governor may submit a list of all candidates to the appropriate dental societies for comments as to their qualifications. No member shall be appointed for more than two (2) consecutive full terms. A member appointed for less than a full term (originally or to fill a vacancy) may serve two (2) full terms in addition to that part of a full term, and a former member is again eligible for appointment after a lapse of one or more years. All subsequent appointments to the board shall be for a term of three (3) years. Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance, or misfeasance in office after being given a written statement of the charges against him or her and sufficient opportunity to be heard on the charges. The board shall elect from its members a chairperson who shall be a dentist duly licensed under the laws of the state of Rhode Island, and a vice-chairperson who shall in the absence of the chairperson exercise all powers of the chairperson, and secretary, who serve for one year or until their successors are appointed and qualified. The board shall meet at least once a month or more often upon the call of the chairperson, director of health or dental administrator, at any times and places that the chairperson designates.

 (c) Members of the board shall not be paid one hundred dollars ($100) for each day or portion of a day spent in the discharge of official duties; provided, that the compensation in one year does not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per member.

 (d) The administration of the board shall be funded from annual fees. The director shall in consultation with the board determine the amount of the annual fee to be charged to each licensed dentist and dental hygienist, the payment of which is a condition to practicing dentistry or dental hygiene in the state. The director or the dental administrator has the authority to suspend or revoke the license of any dentist or dental hygienist who does not pay the annual fee. Monies shall be received by the department and deposited in the general fund as general revenues.

SECTION 11. Section 5-34-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-34 entitled "Nurses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-34-8. Board of nursing -- Compensation of members. -- Each No member of the board of nurse registration and nursing education shall be paid fifty dollars ($50.00) for each day or portion of a day spent in compensated for the discharge of official duties.

SECTION 12. Section 23-17-14.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17 entitled "Licensing of Health Care Facilities" is hereby amended to read as follows:

23-17-14.2. Compensation. -- The chairperson and vice chairperson of the health services council while serving on business of the council shall receive compensation at the rate of fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting not to exceed four thousand dollars ($4,000) annually, and each no other member of the council while serving on business of the council shall receive compensation at the rate of fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting not to exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000) annually for the discharge of their official duties.

SECTION 13. Section 5-35-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-35 entitled "Optometrists" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-35-3. Board of examiners -- Compensation of members. -- Each No member of the board of examiners for optometry shall receive in full compensation for his or her services the sum of thirty dollars ($30.00) for each day's attendance at meetings of the board; provided, that no member shall receive in excess of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) compensation for any fiscal year.

SECTION 14. Section 5-37-1.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-37 entitled "Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-37-1.1. Board of medical licensure and discipline -- Creation -- Composition -- Appointment, removal, and compensation of members -- Officers -- Meetings -- Funds. -- (a) (1) There is created within the department of health, the Rhode Island board of medical licensure and discipline which is composed of the following members:

 (i) Four (4) licensed physicians who possess the degree of doctor of allopathic medicine; one of whom shall be a full-time medical school faculty member;

 (ii) Two (2) licensed physicians who hold the degree of doctor of osteopathic medicine;

 (iii) Five (5) public members, one of whom is an attorney with experience as plaintiff's counsel in the presentation or prosecution of medical malpractice matters, and one of whom is a member of the general public, not associated with the medical field, who is at least sixty (60) years of age; and three (3) of whom are public members not associated with the medical field;

 (iv) One hospital administrator; and

 (v) The director of the department of health who shall serve as chairperson of the board.

 (2) The governor shall appoint the members of the board except that prior to appointing the six (6) physician members the governor may submit a list of all candidates to the appropriate medical or osteopathic societies for comments as to their qualifications. When the board is first selected, six (6) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years and two (2) members shall be appointed for a term of one year. No member shall be appointed for more than two (2) consecutive full terms. A member appointed for less than a full term (originally or to fill a vacancy) may serve two (2) full terms in addition to that part of a full term, and a former member is again eligible for appointment after a lapse of one or more years. All subsequent appointments to the board shall be for a term of three (3) years. Any member of the board may be removed by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance, and misfeasance in office after being given a written statement of the charges against him or her and sufficient opportunity to be heard. The board shall elect from its members a vice-chairperson who, in the absence of the chairperson, shall exercise all powers of the chairperson, and a secretary. These officers shall serve for one year or until their successors are appointed and qualified. The board shall meet at least once a month or more often upon the call of the chairperson, director of the department of health, or chief administrative officer, at the times and places that the chairperson designates.

 (b) Members of the board shall not be paid one hundred dollars ($100) for each day or portion of a day spent in the discharge of official duties; provided, that the compensation in one year shall not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per member.

 (c) The administration of the board shall be funded from annual fees. The director, as stated in section 5-37-10, in consultation with the board, shall determine the amount of the annual fee to be charged to each licensed physician and to hospitals, the payment of which is a condition to practicing medicine or rendering hospital services in the state. The director or chief administrative officer has the authority to suspend or revoke the license of any physician who does not pay the annual fee. Monies shall be received by the department and credited to a restricted receipt account. All monies in that fund shall be utilized only for the purposes of maintaining, managing, operating, and administering the board of medical licensure and discipline in carrying out its functions. The fees and date of collection of all funds to be collected for the initial registrations and licenses issued pursuant to this title shall be as the director by regulation shall establish..

SECTION 15. Section 5-49-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-49 entitled "Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-49-15. Board -- Creation -- Composition -- Appointment and terms. -- (a) There is established a board of hearing aid dealers and fitters which guides, advises, and makes recommendations to the department.

 (b) (1) Members of the board shall be residents of the state.

 (2) The board shall consist of three (3) hearing aid dealers and fitters; one otolaryngologist; one audiologist; and one lay member who shall be a user of hearing aids and not employed in the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids.

 (3) Each hearing aid dealer and fitter on the board shall have no less than five (5) years experience and hold a valid license as a hearing aid dealer and fitter, as provided under this chapter.

 (4) Excepted shall be the hearing aid dealers and fitters of the first board appointed, who have no less than five (5) years of experience and fulfill all qualifications under section 5-49-7 as provided under this chapter.

 (c) All members of the board shall be appointed by the governor.

 (d) The term of office of each member shall be three (3) years; except that of the members of the first board appointed under this chapter, two (2) shall be appointed for two (2) years, two (2) shall be appointed for three (3) years, and two (2) shall be appointed for four (4) years.

 (e) Before a member's term expires, the governor shall appoint a successor to assume his or her duties on the expiration of his or her predecessor's term.

 (f) A vacancy in the office of a member shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.

 (g) The members of the board shall annually designate one member to serve as chair and another to serve as secretary-treasurer.

 (h) No member of the board who has served two (2) or more full terms may be reappointed to the board until at least one year after the expiration of his or her most recent full term of office.

(i) Members of the board shall not be compensated for their services on the board.

SECTION 16. Section 5-51-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-51 entitled "Rhode Island State Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects" is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-51-2. Board -- Creation -- Composition -- Appointment, terms, and qualifications of members -- Duties -- Compensation. -- (a) (1) There is established a state board of landscape architects which consists of seven (7) members.

 (2) On May 19, 1975, the governor shall appoint one member to serve until the first day of February, 1976, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; one member to serve until the first day of February, 1977, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; one member to serve until the first day of February, 1978, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; one member to serve until the first day of February, 1979, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; and one member to serve until February, 1980, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

 (3) Upon completion of the original term the terms of members identified in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be for five (5) years.

 (4) One member of the board shall be from the general public; and one member shall be from the state department of environmental management. Those members shall serve for terms of five (5) years.

 (5) Three (3) members of the board shall be landscape architects whose residences and principal places of business shall be within this state, who have been actively engaged in the practice of landscape architecture within this state. The original appointees to the board do not need to be registered but engaged in the practice of landscape architecture for a minimum of four (4) years.

 (6) The governor may remove any member from office for misconduct, incapacity or neglect of duty.

 (b) During the month of July of each year, the board shall elect from its members a chairperson and a vice chairperson.

 (c) The secretary of the board shall keep a true and complete record of all proceedings of the board and shall aid in the enforcement of this chapter.

 (d) The board may make all necessary regulations and bylaws not inconsistent with this chapter.

 (e) In carrying into effect the provisions of this chapter, the board may subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance and may require the production of books, papers, and documents in any proceeding involving the revocation of registration, or practicing or offering to practice without registration.

 (1) Any member of the board may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the board.

 (2) If any person fails to appear in response to that process, or if, having appeared in obedience to the process, he or she refuses to answer any pertinent questions put to him or her by any member of the board or its counsel, he or she, upon presentation of those facts to the superior court, shall be subject to any fines and penalties that might be imposed by this court if that failure or refusal occurred in any civil action pending in that court.

 (f) The board may establish a procedure for complaints concerning any licensed or certified landscape architects.

 (g) The board shall establish procedures and programs in conjunction with the department of environmental management and may annually publish a report of its activities, operations, and recommendations.

 (h) The members Members of the board shall receive compensation of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) not be compensated for meetings attended; provided, that no member shall receive more than three hundred dollars ($300) annually.

SECTION 17. Section 16-59-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-59 entitled "Board of Governors for Higher Education" is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-59-1. Board of governors for higher education established. -- (a) There is created a board of governors for higher education, sometimes referred to as the "board" or the "board of governors", which shall be and is constituted a public corporation, empowered to sue and be sued in its own name, to have a corporate seal, and to exercise all the powers, in addition to those specifically enumerated in this chapter, usually appertaining to public corporations entrusted with control of postsecondary educational institutions and functions. The board shall be protected from sudden changes in membership and reversal of policy by having staggered terms for its public members. Upon its organization the board of governors shall be invested with the legal title (in trust for the state) to all property, real and personal, now owned by and/or under the control or in custody of the board of regents for education for the use of the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, Community College of Rhode Island and the system of community colleges of Rhode Island including all departments, divisions, and branches of these.

 (b) The board of governors is empowered to hold and operate the property in trust for the state; to acquire, hold, and dispose of the property and other like property as deemed necessary for the execution of its corporate purposes. The board of governors is made successor to all powers, rights, duties, and privileges formerly belonging to the board of regents for education pertaining to postsecondary education.

 (c) The board of governors shall consist of fifteen (15) members as follows: twelve (12) public members, appointed pursuant to the terms of section 16-59-2, one of whom shall be a full time student in good standing at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College or the Community College of Rhode Island, a member of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education designated by the chairperson of this board, the chairperson of the senate finance committee or his or her designee, and the chairperson of the house finance committee or his or her designee.

 (d) The public members of the board of governors shall receive compensation in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each day of actual not be compensated for their service in attending meetings or duly organized subcommittee meetings of the board at which business is transacted; provided, that the compensation in any one year shall not exceed the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per member.

 (e) The legislative members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed their travel and necessary expenses. The governor shall designate one of the public members as chairperson of the board of governors who shall receive seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each day of actual service in attending meetings of the board at which business is transacted; provided, he or she shall not receive more than four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500) in any one year.

SECTION 18. Section 16-60-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-60 entitled "Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education" is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-60-1. Board established. -- (a) There is created a board of regents for elementary and secondary education sometimes referred to as the "regents" or the "board of regents," which shall be and is constituted a public corporation, empowered to sue and be sued in its own name, to have a corporate seal, and to exercise all the powers, in addition to those specifically enumerated in this chapter, usually appertaining to public corporations entrusted with control of elementary and secondary education institutions and functions. The regents shall be protected from sudden changes in membership and reversal of policy by having staggered terms for its public members.

 (b) Upon its organization the board of regents shall be invested with the legal title (in trust for the state) to all property, real and personal, now owned by and/or under the control or in the custody of the board of regents for education for the use of the department of elementary and secondary education. The board of regents is made successor to all powers, rights, duties, and privileges pertaining to elementary and secondary education.

 (c) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall consist of eleven (11) members as follows: Eight (8) public members appointed pursuant to the terms of section 16-60-2, a member of the board of governors for higher education designated by the chairperson of this board, the chairperson of the senate finance committee or his or her designee and the chairperson of the house finance committee or his or her designee. The public members of the board of regents shall receive compensation in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) not be compensated for each day of actual service in attending meetings or duly organized subcommittee meetings of the board at which business is transacted; provided, that the compensation in any one year shall not exceed the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per member.

 (d) The legislative members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed their travel and necessary expenses. The governor shall designate one of the public members as chairperson of the board of regents who shall receive seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each day of actual service in attending meetings of the regents at which business is transacted; provided, the chairperson shall not receive more than four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500) in any one year.

SECTION 19. Section 16-61-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-61 entitled "Rhode Island Public Telecommunications Authority" is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-61-4. Appointment of public members -- Compensation. -- (a) The governor shall with the consent of the senate establish the authority by appointing five (5) members to serve staggered terms. The appointments shall be made for terms of three (3) years commencing on February lst in the year of appointment and ending on January 31st in the third (3rd) year after this. Any vacancy among the public members of the authority shall be filled by appointment of the governor for the remainder of the unexpired term. In the selection and appointment of members of the authority, the governor shall seek persons who best serve the entire needs of the state. Public members shall not be appointed for more than two (2) successive three (3) year terms each; provided, that this limitation shall not apply to that person designated as chairperson by the governor who may be a member so long as he or she shall serve as chairperson.

 (b) The public members of the authority shall receive compensation in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall not be compensated for each day of actual service in attending meetings or duly organized subcommittee meetings of the authority at which business is transacted; provided, that the compensation in any one year shall not exceed the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per member.

 (c) The senate and house finance chairpersons shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed their travel and necessary expenses. The chairperson of the authority shall receive seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each day of actual service in attending meetings of the board at which business is transacted; provided, that he or she shall not receive more than four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500) in any one year.

SECTION 20. Section 22-14-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 22-14 entitled "Legislative Oversight Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:

22-14-1. Establishment -- Purpose -- Membership -- Compensation. -- (a) There is established an oversight commission empowered to conduct evaluations and reviews of statutes, statutory entities, and associated rules and regulations. The review or evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, the following as its objectives:

 (1) The elimination of inactive entities or statutes;

 (2) The elimination of entities or statutes that duplicate other entities or statutes or other governmental programs and activities or determination of an appropriate consolidation for the duplicate entities, statutes, or governmental programs and activities;

 (3) The elimination or modification of inefficient, unnecessary, or ineffective entities or statutes; and

 (4) The determination of the impact of rules and regulations promulgated by any entity.

 (b) The commission shall consist of fourteen (14) members all of whom shall be citizens and residents of this state; four (4) of whom shall be members of the house of representatives, not more than three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed by the speaker; three (3) of whom shall be members of the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the president of the senate; one of whom shall be the director of administration; four (4) of whom shall be members of the general public to be appointed by the governor; one of whom shall be the fiscal assistant to the house finance committee; and one of whom shall be the auditor general.

 (c) The public members shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years except for the two (2) members originally appointed; one shall be appointed for a term of one year and one shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years.

 (d) The legislative members shall serve a term of two (2) years. The members shall annually elect one of them as chairperson of the commission.

 (e) Any vacancy on the commission, occurring for any reason prior to the expiration of the term, including, but not limited to, termination of active membership in the general assembly, shall be filled for the unexpired term by the appointing authority in the same manner as the original appointment.

 (f) Any member of the commission may, for cause, be summarily removed from office by the appointing authority, which removal shall be subject to judicial review by the superior court, and pending that review the member shall not carry out any duties as a commission member.

 (g) The director of administration, the fiscal assistant to the house finance committee, and the auditor general respectively may designate a person to represent them at all commission meetings.

 (h) The members of the commission, except those members from the general public, shall receive no salaries but shall be allowed reasonable expenses in the performance of their official duties.

 (i) The members from the general public shall receive the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting not to exceed the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) per year not be compensated for service on the board.

SECTION 21. Section 23-27.3-108.2.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3 entitled "State Building Code" is hereby amended to read as follows:

23-27.3-108.2.2. Compensation of committee members. -- The members of the committee shall not be compensated, as of July 1, 1978, at a rate of fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting not to exceed one thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($1,250) per annum; and the chairperson of the commission shall be compensated at the rate of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per meeting not to exceed one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars ($1,875) per annum. There is hereby appropriated the sum of twenty-three thousand one hundred twenty-five dollars ($23,125) from the general treasury to cover the compensation of the committee for their service on the board.

SECTION 22. Section 23-28.3-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-28.3 entitled "Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review" is hereby amended to read as follows:

23-28.3-4. Compensation of board members. -- (a) The members of the board shall not be compensated, as of July 1, 1978, at a rate of fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting, plus for their service on the board, but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses; and the chairperson of the board shall be compensated at the rate of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per meeting.

 (b) In no event shall the fire safety code board expend more than fifty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($57,500) for compensation and expenses of board members.

SECTION 23. Section 28-27-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-27 entitled "Mechanical Trades" is hereby amended to read as follows:

28-27-3. Disposition of fees -- Annual report. --  (a) Annually, after June 30th of each year, the division's state licensed chief administrator will compile a detailed statement of all income and expenses of the division. Any proceeds from the licensing fees and any other income guaranteed pursuant to this section shall be deposited as general revenues.

(b) Members of the board shall not be compensated for their service on the board.

SECTION 24. Section 28-45-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-45 entitled "Apprenticeship Programs in Trade and Industry" is hereby amended to read as follows:

28-45-2. Apprenticeship council. -- (a) The director of labor and training, with the advice and consent of the governor, shall appoint a state apprenticeship council composed of four (4) representatives each from employer and employee organizations respectively. The council shall, by majority vote, elect from its membership a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary. The vice-chairperson shall act in the absence or inability of the chairperson.

 (b) Upon the expiration of the terms of the council's present membership, the director of labor and training, with the advice and consent of the governor, shall appoint members to the apprenticeship council for initial terms, and those members shall hold office until their successors are appointed and have qualified, as follows:

 (1) One representative each from employer and employee organizations respectively, for an initial term of one year;

 (2) One representative each from employer and employee organizations respectively, for an initial term of two (2) years;

 (3) One representative each from employer and employee organizations respectively, for an initial term of three (3) years; and

 (4) One representative each from employer and employee organizations respectively, for an initial term of four (4) years.

 (c) Upon the expiration of those initial terms, members shall be appointed for terms of four (4) years, and shall hold office until their successors are appointed and have qualified. Any vacancy shall be filled by appointments by the director of labor and training, with the advice and consent of the governor, for the unexpired portion of the term. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education, the director of labor and training shall be members of the council, ex-officio, without vote.

 (d) The council may, by majority vote, designate any consultants that it may deem necessary and desirable to assist it in the performance of its duties.

(e) Members of the board shall not be compensated for their service on the board. 

SECTION 25. Section 28-5-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-5 entitled "Fair Employment Practices" is hereby amended to read as follows:

28-5-11. Compensation of commission members -- Reappointment. -- Members of the commission shall receive compensation not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) for each day, or part of the day, necessarily spent in not be compensated for the discharge of their official duties with a maximum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) in one year. In addition, they but shall be entitled to the reimbursement of expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties. All members of the commission shall be eligible for reappointment.

SECTION 26. Section 31-5-2.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-5 entitled "Dealers', Manufacturers', and Rental Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-5-2.1. Motor vehicle dealers license and hearing board. -- (a) A board composed of a total of five (5) members, two (2) of which shall be licensed automobile dealers, one new car Rhode Island licensed automobile dealer, and one used car Rhode Island licensed automobile dealer, each to serve a three (3) year term; one active Rhode Island state police officer appointed by the superintendent of Rhode Island state police and shall serve a five (5) year term; one active employee of the Rhode Island department of administration appointed by the director of administration shall serve a five (5) year term, and one licensed Rhode Island attorney in good standing shall serve a seven (7) year term. The two (2) automobile dealers and attorney shall be appointed by the governor. The board shall be known as the motor vehicle dealers license and hearing board.

 (b) The board shall issue the license provided for in sections 31-5-5 -- 31-5-9 and section 31-5-34. The board shall have supervision over the license with respect to all of the provisions of sections 31-5-1 -- 31-5-39 and shall have the power to promulgate rules and regulations to fulfill the purposes of this chapter and to protect the public interest. The board shall have the power to set, from time to time, the maximum number of plates to be issued to each dealer after due investigation and after considering the number of plates reasonably required for the operation of the dealers business, and shall have the power to declare and define what constitutes a licensee. The provisions of sections 31-5-1 -- 31-5-20, and sections 31-5-33 -31-5-39 shall be administered by the board or by any of its duly authorized representatives.

 (c) The board shall have all of the same powers, duties, and responsibilities of the previous Rhode Island dealers hearing board established by the director of the department of transportation.

 (d) The board shall constitute an agency and shall follow the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 35 of title 42, and its decisions are appealable to the director of administration. The director's decision shall be appealable to the superior court.

 (e) A member of the board may be removed for cause by the director of administration after a hearing conducted by the director determining that cause exists and a written decision explaining the reason for the removal. The director's decision of removal shall be appealable to the superior court.

 (f) The members of the Rhode Island dealers hearing board serving as of August 31, 1993 shall serve out their respective terms of office and will remain on the motor vehicle dealers license and hearing board until their respective terms expire and a subsequent appointment is made by the governor, or respective appointing authority. If a vacancy occurs on the board for any reason, an individual shall be appointed according to the procedures set forth in subsection (a) of this section and this individual will serve out the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy.

 (g) The director of administration shall provide suitable office space for the board and its personnel to suit the public convenience in all proper way to facilitate the work of the board in carrying out the provisions of sections 31-5-1 -- 31-5-20 and sections 31-5-33 to 31-5-39.

 (h) Members of the board shall serve without salary, nor shall they be compensated for attendance at board meetings, however, members of the board shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. The department of administration shall provide funds to pay said expenses. Also, the department shall provide legal counsel to the board to defend and enforce the board's decision and provide legal advice on any matters that may come before the board.

 (i) If any section, phrase, clause, sentence or part of this section is declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, that invalidity will not effect remaining portions of this section.

SECTION 27. Section 31-10-44 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators' and Chauffeurs' Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-10-44. Medical advisory board. -- (a) There shall be established within the division of motor vehicles a medical advisory board to function solely as an advisory panel to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles on the subjects of physical and mental fitness standards for licensure to operate a motor vehicle and eligibility standards for disability parking privileges. When any person's eligibility or continuing eligibility for a license is questioned on the grounds of physical or mental fitness, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles may consult with relevant specialist members of the medical advisory board in determining that person's qualifications to operate a motor vehicle. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles may also consult with relevant specialist members of the medical advisory board in making determinations of eligibility for disability parking privileges.

 (b) In accordance with chapter 35 of title 42, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall establish by regulations functional standards for determining physical and mental fitness for motor vehicle licensure. The promulgated standards will be based on current medical knowledge and objective data regarding fitness to safely operate motor vehicles, and will conform to the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Acts and chapter 87 of title 42. In developing those functional standards the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall consult with knowledgeable health and rehabilitation professionals including the Medical Society of Rhode Island and the medical advisory board.

 (c) The medical board shall consist of a physician in general practice, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, an optometrist, and an orthopedic physician who shall be appointed by the governor; a physician from the Rhode Island department of health designated by the director of health who shall serve ex officio; and two (2) members of the general public approved by the governor, one of whom shall be representative of the elderly, and one of whom shall be representative of the people who are disabled. These members shall be appointed for a period of three (3) years.

 (d) Any physician or optometrist who diagnoses a physical or mental condition which in the physician's or optometrist's judgment will significantly impair the person's ability to operate safely a motor vehicle may voluntarily report the person's name and other information relevant to the condition to the medical advisory board within the division of motor vehicles.

 (e) Any physician or optometrist reporting in good faith and exercising due care shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that otherwise might result by reason of his or her actions pursuant to this section. No cause of action may be brought against any physician or optometrist for not making a report pursuant to this section.

 (f) For the purposes of this section, a "physician" is any person practicing medicine requiring a license pursuant to chapter 37 of title 5, and an "optometrist" is any person as defined in section 5-35-1.

 (g) Members of the medical board shall receive, as compensation shall not be compensated for their services on the board, fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting, except for the ex officio members provided, that no member shall receive more than seven hundred dollars ($700) per annum pursuant to this section. They shall meet at the request of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles at a time convenient to them.

SECTION 28. Section 35-10-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 35-10 entitled "State Investment Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:

35-10-7. Expenses of commission -- Employees. -- (a) Members of the commission serving in an ex officio capacity shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for any necessary expenses. Those members appointed by the governor shall receive as compensation the sum of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each meeting; provided, that this compensation shall not exceed the sum of nine hundred dollars ($900) for any one member in any fiscal year. The commission shall be authorized to employ investment counsel and such clerical employees as may be required. The investment counsel shall be in the unclassified service of the state.

 (b) No member or employee of the commission shall profit directly or indirectly from any investment transaction made by the commission. This provision is not intended to limit in any way the right of any member or employee of the commission to own shares of stock or bonds of any corporation or other entity in which money of the several funds are or may be invested.

SECTION 29. Section 36-14-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-14 entitled "Code of Ethics" is hereby amended to read as follows:

36-14-8. Rhode Island ethics commission -- Establishment -- Members -- Vacancies -- Quorum -- Compensation and quarters. -- (a) There is hereby established an independent and nonpartisan Rhode Island ethics commission composed of nine (9) members appointed by the governor. The president of the senate, the minority leader of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the majority leader of the house of representatives, and the minority leader of the house of representatives shall, within twenty (20) days of July 21, 1992, each submit to the governor a list of names of at least five (5) individuals. The governor shall, within forty (40) days of July 21, 1992, appoint one individual from each of the lists so submitted and four (4) individuals without regard to the lists submitted by the legislative leaders.

 (b) Members of the commission shall serve for terms of five (5) years, except that, of the members first appointed:

 (1) The individual appointed from the list submitted by the majority leader of the house of representatives shall serve for one year;

 (2) The individuals appointed from the lists submitted by the minority leader of the senate and one of the individuals appointed by the governor without regard to the lists submitted by the legislative leaders shall serve for two (2) years;

 (3) The individual appointed from the list submitted by the minority leader of the house of representatives and one of the individuals appointed by the governor without regard to the lists submitted by the legislative leaders shall serve for three (3) years;

 (4) The individual appointed from the list submitted by the president of the senate and one of the individuals appointed from the list submitted by the minority leader of the house of representatives shall serve for four (4) years; and

 (5) The individual appointed from the list submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives and one of the individuals appointed from the list submitted by the minority leader of the senate shall serve for five (5) years.

 (c) No member shall be appointed for more than one full five (5) year term; provided, however, that each member shall continue to serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; and, provided further, that if, at the time of the expiration of any member's term, that member is actively engaged in the adjudication of a complaint, he or she shall continue to serve in that capacity until the commission has completed its responsibilities with respect to that complaint.

 (d) The governor shall, at the time of the initial appointments to the commission, designate one member to act as chairperson of the commission for a period of one year and another to act as vice chairperson of the commission for a period of one year. Thereafter, the commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson. The vice chairperson shall act as chairperson in the absence of the chairperson or in the event of a vacancy in that position.

 (e) Any vacancy on the commission, occurring for any reason prior to the expiration of the term, shall be filled for the unexpired term by the appointing authority in the same manner as the original appointment within thirty (30) days of the vacancy occurring.

 (f) No individual, while a member or employee of the commission, including any legal counsel engaged by the commission, shall:

 (1) Hold or campaign for any other public office;

 (2) Hold office in any political party or political committee;

 (3) Participate in or contribute to any political campaign;

 (4) Directly or indirectly attempt to influence any decision by a governmental body, other than as the duly authorized representative of the commission on a matter within the jurisdiction of the commission;

 (5) Have held elective public office or have been a candidate for elective public office for a one year period prior to appointment.

 (g) The governor shall declare vacant the position on the commission of any member who takes part in activities prohibited by subsection (f) of this section. An individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration of a term of office shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member he or she succeeds, and is eligible for appointment to one full five-year term thereafter. Any vacancy occurring on the commission shall be filled within thirty (30) days in the manner in which that position was originally filled.

 (h) For any action to be taken under the terms of this chapter by the full commission, five (5) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

 (i) Commission members shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) per day as compensation shall not be compensated for attendance at meetings of the commission or of any investigating committee or adjudicative panel of the commission, but not to exceed the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000) annually as compensation of each member.

 (j) All departments and agencies of the state or of any city or town or political subdivision within this state shall furnish such advice or information documentary or otherwise, to the commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.

 (k) The director of administration is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for the commission.

 (l) When commission members act in good faith within the scope of their authority and in their official capacities they shall be afforded protection against civil liability as provided in section 9-1-31.1.

SECTION 30. Section 41-2-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 41-2 entitled "Racing and Athletic Hearing Board" is hereby amended to read as follows:

41-2-2. Chairperson of board -- Compensation of members. -- The members of the board shall elect one of their number as chairperson upon the appointment of any new member for a full term and whenever the office may become vacant. The members of the board shall receive compensation not exceeding the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each meeting, provided, however, that the compensation shall not exceed the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) for any one member in any fiscal year not be compensated for their services on the board.

SECTION 31. Section 46-9.1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-9.1 entitled "Pilots-Block Island Sound" is hereby amended to read as follows:

46-9.1-3. Pilotage commission -- Control -- Compensation. -- (a) The Rhode Island state pilotage commission created under the provisions of chapter 9 of this title, entitled "Pilots", shall have control and jurisdiction over pilotage of vessels entering or departing from any port or landing place of the state or transversing the waters of Block Island Sound.

 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 46-9-5, the members Members of the commission, when they are engaged in rendering their services for the purposes of this chapter, shall receive compensation not be compensated for their services at the rate of fifty dollars ($50.00) per day, plus on the board, but shall be entitled to the reimbursement of their travel expenses.

SECTION 32. Section 46-9-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-9 entitled "Pilots - Rhode Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, Sakonnet River, and Tributaries" is hereby amended to read as follows:

46-9-5. Pilotage commission. -- (a) There is hereby created a state pilotage commission within the department of environmental management independent of the department and the director, consisting of four (4) members, two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the governor. Of the members appointed by the governor, one shall be a licensed pilot with five (5) years active service on the waters of this state, and one shall represent the public. The chief of the division of the coastal resources and the director of the department of environmental management shall serve as ex officio members of the commission. Each appointed member of the commission shall serve for a term of three (3) years and until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified. In the month of February, the governor shall appoint a member to hold office until the first day of March in the third year of his or her appointment, and until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified to succeed the member whose term shall next expire.

 (b) Any vacancy which may occur in the commission shall be filled by the governor as in the case of an original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. Any member shall be eligible to succeed him or herself.

 (c) The members of the commission, other than members who are full time state employees, shall receive fifty dollars ($50.00) per day shall not be compensated for their services and but shall be allowed their necessary travel expenses.

SECTION 33. Section 46-15.1-2.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-15.1 entitled "Water Supply Facilities" is hereby amended to read as follows:

46-15.1-2.4. Compensation of members. -- (a) The members of the board other than , including the chairperson may receive compensation in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each day or portion thereof of actual service in attending meetings of the board in which business is transacted; provided, however, that the compensation in any one year shall not exceed the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per member. The chairperson of the board may receive compensation in the amount of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each day or portion thereof of actual service in attending meetings of the board in which business is transacted; provided, however, that compensation of the chairperson in any one year shall not exceed the sum of four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500).

 (b) The members of the board may also be reimbursed for their actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

SECTION 34. Section 46-23-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-23 entitled "Coastal Resources Management Council" is hereby amended to read as follows:

46-23-5. Expenses of members. -- (a) The members of the council shall be paid fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting as compensation, except for and the chairperson who shall be paid seventy-five dollars ($75.00) per meeting as compensation; shall not be compensated for their service on the board, but the members and chairperson shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

 (b) Any member other than the chairperson who shall act as chairperson, or any member other than the chairperson who shall chair any subcommittee of the council, shall not receive the additional compensation paid to the chairman.

SECTION 35. Section 46-25-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 46-25 entitled "Narragansett Bay Commission" is hereby amended to read as follows:

46-25-8. Compensation -- Personnel. -- (a) The members of the commission are paid fifty dollars ($50.00) shall not be compensated for attendance at a full commission any board meeting, up to a maximum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per year as compensation, and but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in carrying out their duties under this chapter, except that full time state and municipal employees shall not be paid for meetings held wholly during their normal working hours.

 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, no officer or employee of the state shall be deemed to have forfeited or shall forfeit his or her office or employment by reason of his or her acceptance of membership on the commission or his or her service thereto.

 (c) The commissioners shall employ an executive director who shall also be the secretary and who shall administer, manage, and direct the affairs and business of the commission, subject to the policies, control, and direction of the commissioners. The commissioners may employ technical experts and other officers, agents, and attorneys and fix their qualifications, duties, and compensation. Employees of the commission shall not, by reason of their employment, be employees of the state for any purpose, any provision of the general laws to the contrary notwithstanding, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, chapters 29, 39, and 42 of title 28 and chapters 4, 8, 9, and 10 of title 36. Those employees of the commission who were employed prior to June 30, 1999, shall continue to be covered by sections 36-4-59, 36-5-7 and 36-5-8. The employees are not entitled to the provisions of sections 36-4-59, 36-5-7 and 36-5-8 while employed by the commission. The employees are only entitled to the provisions of these statutes in the event that any such employee returns to employment in the classified service in a department within the executive branch. The commissioners may employ other employees, permanent and temporary. The commissioners may delegate to one or more of its agents or employees any administrative duties that they may deem proper.

 (d) The secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the commission and shall be custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the commission and of its minute book and seal. He or she shall have authority to cause to be made copies of all minutes and other records and documents of the commission, and to give certificates under the seal of the commission to the effect that the copies are true copies and all persons dealing with the commission may rely upon the certificates.

 (e) The department of administration may furnish the commission with suitable offices and telephone service in the state house, state office building, or some other convenient location, for the transaction of its business.

 (f) The commissioners of the commission shall, at regular intervals conduct business meetings for the purpose of carrying out its general business. The meetings shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42 entitled "open meetings".

SECTION 36. Section 44-34-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-34 entitled "Excise on Motor Vehicles and Trailers"  is hereby amended as follows:

44-34-11. Rhode Island vehicle value commission. [Repealed effective July 1, 2005.] -- (a) There is created the "Rhode Island vehicle value commission" to establish presumptive values of vehicles and trailers subject to the excise tax.

 (b) The commission consists of the following nine (9) members: one designee of the director of transportation; five (5) local tax officials named by the governor, at least one of whom is from a town under ten thousand (10,000) population and at least one of whom is from a city over fifty thousand (50,000) population, from a list of nominees submitted by the president of the Rhode Island league of cities and towns; and two (2) designees who are private citizen car owners, one of whom is named by the speaker of the house and one of whom is named by the president of the senate; and one motor vehicle dealer designated by the director of administration; all departmental designees serve at the pleasure of the designating agency, but, for a term of no less than one year, and all other designees serve for a term of three (3) years.

 (c) The commission shall annually determine the presumptive values of vehicles and trailers subject to the excise tax in the following manner:

 (1) Not earlier than September 30 and not later than December 31 of each year the commission shall by rule adopt a methodology for determining the presumptive value of vehicles and trailers subject to the excise tax which gives consideration to the following factors:

 (i) The average retail price of similar vehicles of the same make, model, type, and year of manufacture as reported by motor vehicle dealers or by official used car guides, as that of the national automobile dealers association for New England. Where regional guides are not available, the commission shall use other publications deemed appropriate; and

 (ii) Other information concerning the average retail prices for make, model, type, and year of manufacture of motor vehicles as the director and the Rhode Island vehicle value commission may deem appropriate to determine fair values.

 (2) On or before February 1 of each year, it shall adopt a list of values for vehicles and trailers of the same make, model, type, and year of manufacture as of the preceding December 31 in accordance with the methodology adopted between September 30 and December 31; the list is subject to a public hearing at least five (5) business days prior to the date of its adoption.

 (3) Nothing in this section is deemed to require the commission to determine the presumptive value of vehicles and trailers which are unique, to which special equipment has been added or to which special modifications have been made, or for which adequate information is not available from the sources referenced in subsection (c)(1), provided, that the commission may consider those factors in its lists or regulations.

 (4) The commission shall annually provide the list of presumptive values of vehicles and trailers to each tax assessor on or before February 15 of each year.

 (d) The commission shall adopt rules governing its organization and the conduct of its business; prior to the adoption of the rules, the designee of the department of administration shall serve as chairperson of the commission and has the power to call meetings, and a simple majority of the members of the commission, as provided for in subsection (b), is necessary for a quorum, which quorum by majority vote has the power to conduct business in the name of the commission.

 (e) The commission has the power to contract for professional services that it deems necessary for the development of the methodology for determining presumptive values, for calculating presumptive values according to the methodology, and for preparing the list of presumptive values in a form and format that is generally usable by cities and towns in their preparation of tax bills. The commission also has the power to incur reasonable expenses in the conduct of its business as required by this chapter and to authorize payments for the expenses.

 (f) Compensation for members for attendance at meetings is initially at a rate of fifty dollars ($50.00) per meeting unless otherwise determined by the unclassified pay board. Members of the commission shall not be compensated for their service on the board.

 (g) The commission shall respond to petitions of appeal by local boards of review in accordance with the provisions of section 44-34-9(a).

 (h) The commission shall establish by rule, procedures for adopting an annual budget and for administering its finances. After July 1, 1986, one-half ( 1/2) of the cost of the commission's operations shall be borne by the state and one-half ( 1/2) borne by cities and towns, within the state with the city and town share distributed among cities and towns on a per capita basis.

SECTION 37. Section 45-19-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-19 entitled "Relief of Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

45-19-6. Compensation of fund members. -- (a) The secretary of the fire fighter's relief fund and the secretary of the police officer's relief fund are each paid one thousand dollars ($1,000) annually. Members of the commission shall not be compensated for their service on the commission.

 (b) Any other member of the board of fire fighter's relief and the board of police officer's relief paid twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each meeting attended. These payments are not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300) annually.

SECTION 38. This article shall take effect upon passage.