R 300
2016 -- H 8223
Enacted 06/14/2016

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Handy, Regunberg, Shekarchi, and Hearn
Date Introduced: May 18, 2016

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to be known as "The Rhode Island
Commission on Ocean Acidification" be and the same is hereby created consisting of thirteen
(13) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of Representatives, not more
than two (2) from the same political party to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of
whom shall be the Chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee; one of
whom shall be the Director of the Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one
of whom shall be the Chair of the Coastal Resources Management Council, or designee; one of
whom shall be the Executive Director of Save the Bay, or designee; two (2) of whom shall be
persons who fish commercially, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; two (2) of whom
shall be representatives of business, one of whom shall be appointed by the Greater Providence
Chamber of Commerce, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Newport Chamber of
Commerce; and two (2) of whom shall be representatives of higher education, one of whom shall
be appointed by the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, and one of whom
shall be appointed by the President of the University of Rhode Island.
     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 member of the general public.
     The purpose of said commission shall be to study the actual and potential effects of ocean
acidification on Rhode Island; to identify the scientific data and knowledge available, as well as
the gaps in that data and knowledge, in order to enable the state to craft and prioritize policy and
other coordinated responses to ocean acidification; and to develop recommendations on how to
respond to and mitigate the adverse effects of ocean acidification in order to increase economic
and ecosystem sustainability.
     To support its purposes, the commission shall have the following duties, including but
not limited to:
     (1) Review and summarize the existing studies, research and programs relevant to ocean
acidification pertinent to Rhode Island, including identification of marine species at risk of being
impacted by ocean acidification and the anticipated consequences on those marine species and the
economies that depend on them.
     (2) Identify the gaps in research and the monitoring needed in Rhode Island to increase
the state’s scientific understanding and strengthen the linkage between science and management
actions.
     (3) Develop recommendations for actions to respond to increasing ocean acidification
and reduce the harmful effects on Rhode Island’s marine resources. Recommendations should
first emphasize the use of existing laws and regulations and better coordination of existing
policies and programs, and focus on actions that complement, build on, and reinforce existing
regional and state activities, rather than creating new programs; secondary recommendations shall
include potential legislative or executive actions.
     (4) Identify opportunities to improve coordination, strengthen existing partnerships, and
develop new partnerships across jurisdictional boundaries, levels of government and with
nonprofit organizations and private businesses. Recommendations should include examples and
options for outreach and communication that will enhance public awareness and understanding of
ocean acidification and how to address it.
     (5) Explore financial strategies that could be made available to governmental entities,
nonprofit entities and businesses to assist in implementing the actions identified by the
commission to mitigate the harmful effects of ocean acidification on Rhode Island’s marine
resources.
     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
the call of the Speaker of the House and organize. The Chair of the House Environment and
Natural Resources Committee shall serve as chairperson 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 is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters
for said commission; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its initial findings to the Governor and the
House of Representatives no later than January 5, 2017, its final report and recommendations no
later than April 1, 2017, and said commission shall expire on June 5, 2017.
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LC005989
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