RESOLVED, That a special senate commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of seven (7) members of whom shall be from the senate, not more than five (5) from the same political party, to be appointed by the majority leader.

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 study all aspects of the hospital system in Rhode Island including community based hospitals and for profit hospitals and to report back to the legislature with any recommendations for legislation and/or regulations for the proper service of the hospital system in Rhode Island.

Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the senate majority leader and organize and shall select from among the legislators a chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

The joint committee on legislative services is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the senate as soon as possible but no later than June 1, 1997 and said commission shall expire on August 1, 1997.