05-R
341
2005 -- H 5845
Enacted 06/28/05
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON DEFENSE ECONOMY PLANNING
Introduced By: Representatives Fox, and Gallison
Date Introduced: March 01, 2005
WHEREAS,
The defense industry is critical to the strength of the Rhode Island economy;
and
WHEREAS,
The defense industry provides high-quality, good-paying jobs for residents
throughout
the state; and
WHEREAS,
In 2005, the United States Congress and the Department of Defense will be
convening
a Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) to examine all of the nation's
military
bases; and
WHEREAS,
The potential impact of closing or relocating the local Naval Base would be
devastating
to our state's economy, both in the loss of jobs and the loss of revenue for
the state;
and
WHEREAS,
The defense industry has an economic impact of $1.6 billion and employs
over
15,000 people in the state; and
WHEREAS,
On Aquidneck Island alone, 11,000 people, military and civilian, are
employed
by the defense industry with a payroll of over $870 million; and
WHEREAS,
The Rhode Island General Assembly must implement policies that will help
preserve
our current defense economy and provide incentives for new investments; now,
therefore
be it
RESOLVED,
That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created
consisting
of twenty-five (25) members: six (6) of whom shall be from the House of
Representatives,
not more than four (4) from the same political party, to be appointed by the
Speaker
of the House; six (6) of whom shall be from the Senate, not more than four (4)
from the
same
political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one (1) of
whom shall be the
President
of the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance, or designee; one (1)
of
whom
shall be the Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, or
designee;
one (1) of whom shall be a member of a Chamber of Commerce other than the
Newport
Chamber
of Commerce, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one (1) of whom shall
be
the
Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, or
designee; one
(1)
of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation,
or designee;
one
(1) of whom shall be the Commanding Officer of the Rhode Island National Guard,
or
designee;
one (1) of whom shall be the President of the Community College of Rhode
Island, or
designee;
one (1) of whom shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Textron
Corporation, or
designee;
one (1) of whom shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Electric Boat
Corporation,
or
designee; two (2) of whom shall be members of the public with experience in
past base
realignment
and closure commissions; one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of
the
House;
and one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Senate; and two
(2) of
whom
shall be members of the public connected to the defense industry, one (1) of
whom shall be
appointed
by the Speaker of the House and one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the
President
of
the Senate.
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 consents to the appointment of the member of the
general
public.
The
purpose of said commission shall be to discuss issues pertaining to the state's
defense
economy
and propose initiatives to sustain and enhance the defense economy in Rhode
Island.
Forthwith
upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
the
call of the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate and shall
organize. The
Speaker
of the House shall designate one (1) member of the House and the President of
the
Senate
shall designate one (1) member of the Senate to serve as co-chairpersons of the
commission.
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 and the President of the Senate are 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
General
Assembly no later than June 30, 2006, and said commission shall expire on
August 30,
2006.
=======
LC02164
=======