RESOLVED, That a special house commission be and the same is hereby crated consisting of thirteen (13) members: three (3) of whom shall be form the house of representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the speaker; three (3) of whom shall be representatives of ethnic organizations, to be appointed by the governor; one (1) of whom shall be representative of the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission, to be appointed by the governor; one (1) of whom shall be State Archivist, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, to be appointed by the governor; one (1) of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island Genealogical Society, to be appointed by the governor; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the International Institute, to be appointed by the governor; one (1) of whom shall be a member of the League of Rhode Island Historical Societies to be appointed by the governor and one (1) of whom shall be a member of the general public to be appointed by the speaker.

In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission crated 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 the feasibility of forming a central repository for genealogical information.

Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the speaker of the house 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 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 findings and recommendations to the house of representatives on or before February 14, 1997 and said commission shall expire on April 14, 1997.