RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of eleven (11) members: two (2) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than one (1) of whom shall be from the same political party, to be appointed by the speaker; two (2) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than one (1) of whom shall be from the same political party, to be appointed by the majority leader; two (2) of whom shall be representatives of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, to be appointed by its executive director; one (1) of whom shall be a municipal tax assessor, to be appointed by the president of the Rhode Island Association of Tax Assessing Officers; one (1) of whom shall be the state tax administrator, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the director of the department of economic develpoment, or designee; and two (2) of whom shall be representatives of the business community, one (1) to be appointed by the speaker and one (1) to 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 study the feasibility of phasing out the retail inventory tax and exploring ways for municipalities to replace that lost revenue.

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 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 February 7, 1997 and said commission shall expire on April 7, 1997.