RESOLVED, That a special senate commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of nine (9) members: four (4) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed by the majority leader; one (1) of whom shall be the chief justice of the supreme court, or his or her designee; one (1) of whom shall be the presiding justice of the superior court, or his or her designee; one (1) of whom shall be the chief judge of the district court, or his or her designee; and two (2) of whom shall be members of the public, to be appointed by the majority leader 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 study and to report its findings and recommendations to the senate upon the feasibility of establishing a central collection unit to establish and implement standard policies and procedures for the collection of all monies due to the state of Rhode Island for fines, costs, assessments and restitution imposed upon defendents by the superior court and by the district court at the time of sentencing and/or deposition of the case.

Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the majority leader of the senate and organize and shall select from among the senators 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 majority leader of the senate 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 on or before February 1, 1997 and said commission shall expire on April 1, 1997.