RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of seventeen (17) members: four (4) of whom shall be from 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 from the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the majority leader; one (1) of whom shall be the director of the Rhode Island Department of Economic Development, or designee; two (2) of whom shall be representatives of the agricultural business community, one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the speaker and one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the senate majority leader; two (2) of whom shall be professors concentrating in agriculture from the college of resource development at the University of Rhode Island; one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the speaker, and one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the senate majority leader; one (1) of whom shall be the director of the department of environmental management, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the chairperson of the state planning council, or designee; and three (3) of whom shall be members of the general public, two (2) of whom shall be appointed by the speaker and one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the senate 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 develop a plan to promote, protect, streamline and stimulate agricultural commerce 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 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 general assembly on or before June 4, 1997 and said commission shall expire on August 4, 1997.