RESOLVED, That a special senate commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of thirteen (13) members: 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 secretary of state, or his designee; one (1) of whom shall be the chairman of the joint committee on legislative services, or his designee; two (2) of whom shall be members of the business community, to be appointed by the senate majority leader; two (2) of whom shall be members of the computer technology community, to be appointed by the senate majority leader; two (2) of whom shall be members of community based organizations/agencies, to be appointed by the senate majority leader; one (1) of whom shall be the president of the state library association, or designee; and one (1) of whom shall be the executive director of Common Cause of Rhode Island, or designee.

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 the feasibility of establishing an electronic community development network in the state of Rhode Island which would provide: state and local government information; local community information; a means of communication between individual citizens and their communities; and provide opportunities for citizens to become more involved in their communities in order to build community and foster good citizenship through improved communications.

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 on or before July 16, 1997 and said commission shall expire on September 16, 1997.