2012 -- S 2436

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LC01718

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - THE RHODE ISLAND PORT

MARKETING COLLABORATIVE OF 2012

     Introduced By: Senators Walaska, Bates, Goodwin, Sosnowski, and Sheehan

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 64.15

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THE RHODE ISLAND PORT MARKETING COLLABORATIVE OF 2012

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     42-64.15-1. Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode

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Island Port Marketing Collaborative of 2012.”

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     42-64.15-2. Legislative findings. – (a) It is found that our state has a long maritime

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history which has benefited the public through improved employment opportunities, increased tax

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revenues, improved logistics services and reduced transportation costs for consumers and

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businesses.

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     (b) It is further found that some of Rhode Island’s greatest resources exist in its

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waterfronts and ports, allowing Rhode Island to be competitive on regional, national, and

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international levels.

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     (c) It is further found that the development and implementation of a statewide port

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strategy is critical to economic development in the state of Rhode Island.

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     (d) It is further found that a statewide port strategy will help alleviate the substantial and

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persistent unemployment and underemployment which causes hardship to many of the state’s

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individuals and families.

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     (e) It is further found and declared that it is the public policy of the state to encourage the

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expansion and development of the state’s harbors, ports and related infrastructure; to foster and

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improve the handling of waterborne commerce from and to any port of this state and other states

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and foreign countries; to seek to improve the competitive posture of ports of this state and other

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states and foreign countries; to seek to improve the competitive posture of ports of this state and

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to promote a spirit of cooperation among these ports in the interest of the state as a whole; to

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initiate and further plan for the responsible development and marketing of the ports of this state

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and to keep the government and citizens of Rhode Island informed as to their present and future

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requirements.

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     (f) It is further found and declared to be the policy of the state to promote a vigorous and

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growing maritime economy, to prevent economic stagnation, and to encourage the creation of

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new job opportunities in order to ameliorate the hazards of unemployment and underemployment,

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reduce the level of public assistance, increase revenues to the state and its municipalities, and to

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achieve a thriving and diversified economy.

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     42-64.15-3. Definitions. – When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the

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following meanings:

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     (1) “Collaborative” means the Rhode Island port marketing collaborative established

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pursuant to section 20-38-4;

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     (2) “State agencies” means state entities responsible for the implementation of Rhode

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Island’s seaport management and economic development, including, but not be limited to:

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     (i) The department of environmental management;

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     (ii) The economic development corporation;

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     (iii) The coastal resources management council; and

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     (v) The department of administration.

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     42-64.15-4. Collaborative established. – (a) There is hereby created an interagency

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collaborative known as “The Rhode Island Port Marketing Collaborative” consisting of sixteen

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(16) members as follows:

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     (1) One of whom shall be the governor’s port economic policy ombudsperson, who shall

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be chairperson;

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     (2) One of whom shall be the director of the RI bays, rivers, and watersheds coordination

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team;

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     (3) One of whom shall be the executive director of the economic development

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corporation, or his or her designee;

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     (4) One of whom shall be the executive director of the Quonset development corporation,

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or his or her designee;

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     (5) One of whom shall be a representative from other port-related businesses in the ports

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of Quonset Point/Davisville appointed by the speaker of the house;

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     (6) One of whom shall be a representative from other port-related businesses in the ports

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of Quonset Point/Davisville appointed by the president of the senate;

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     (7) One of whom shall be the director of the North Kingstown chamber of commerce or

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his or her designee;

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     (8) One of whom shall be a representative from Prov-Port;

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     (9) One of whom shall be a representative from other port-related businesses in the port

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of Providence appointed by the speaker of the house;

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     (10) One of whom shall be a representative from other port-related businesses in the port

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of Providence appointed by the president of the senate;

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     (11) One of whom shall be the director of the Providence chamber of commerce, or his or

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her designee;

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     (12) One of whom shall be the director of DEM or his or her designee responsible for

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state ports in Galilee and Newport;

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     (13) One of whom shall be a representative from a port-related business in the port of

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Newport appointed by the president of the senate;

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     (14) One of whom shall be a representative from a port-related business in the port of

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Galilee appointed by the speaker of the house;

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     (15) One of whom shall be the director of the Newport chamber of commerce or

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convention and visitors bureau, or his or her designee; and

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     (16) One of whom shall be the president of the Rhode Island marine trades association or

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his or her designee.

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     (b) Forthwith upon the passage of this chapter, the members of the collaborative shall

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meet at the call of the chairperson and organize. Thereafter, the collaborative shall meet quarterly

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and at the call of the chairperson or three (3) members of the collaborative.

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     (c) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

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documentation, and otherwise to the collaborative and its agents as is deemed necessary or

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desirable by the collaborative to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.

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     (d) The members of the collaborative shall receive no compensation for their services.

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     (e) The economic development corporation shall provide a place for the collaborative to

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conduct its meetings.

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     42-64.15-5. Powers and duties. – The Rhode Island port marketing collaborative shall

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support the Rhode Island maritime community and collectively promote the national and

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international marketing of Rhode Island seaports, including, but not limited to:

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     (1) Identify opportunities for Rhode Island’s seaports to be competitive on regional,

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national, and international levels;

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     (2) Identify and facilitate opportunities to increase exporting from seaports;

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     (3) Identify and facilitate opportunities to establish agreements with local businesses for

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potential economic expansion;

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     (4) Review and identify existing studies, pilot programs and initiatives of this state and

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other states regarding port marketing, infrastructure development, and business development

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opportunities;

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     (5) Develop and implement a statewide port strategy critical to economic development,

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job creation and retention in the state of Rhode Island;

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     (6) Identify funding sources available to Rhode Island seaports to support marketing;

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     (7) Respond to requests for information from the legislature and comment on proposed

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legislation; and

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     (8) Issue recommendations necessary to achieve these goals.

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     42-64.15-6. Meeting and reporting requirements. – (a) The collaborative shall provide

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a report of its findings addressing the research, marketing, expansion and funding opportunities

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for port facilities in Rhode Island. Said report shall be provided to the governor and general

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assembly by April 30, 2013.

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     (b) Thereafter, the collaborative shall report to the governor and the general assembly, no

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later than April 30 of each year, on the progress made in achieving the goals and objectives set

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forth in this chapter and any other pertinent information by April 30, 2013.

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     (c) The collaborative shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 38-2, access to public

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records act, and chapter 42-46, open meetings act.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01718

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - THE RHODE ISLAND PORT

MARKETING COLLABORATIVE OF 2012

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     This act would establish the Rhode Island Port Marketing Collaborative of 2012 to

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encourage the expansion and development of the state’s harbors, ports, and related infrastructure.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01718

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