2013 -- S 0730

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LC01984

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT

     Introduced By: Senators Picard, Pearson, Bates, Paiva Weed, and Walaska

     Date Introduced: March 13, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Finance

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 155

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DIVISION OF ECONOMIC DATA AND INFORMATION

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     42-155-1. Division of economic data and information. -- (a) There is hereby

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established within the department of administration a division of economic data and information.

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     (b) The head of the division shall be the director of economic data and information.

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     (c) The division shall employ such personnel and contract for such consulting services as

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may be required to perform the powers and duties conferred upon the division pursuant to section

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42-155-3.

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     42-155-2. Economic data and information advisory council. -- An economic data and

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information advisory council shall be established by the division and shall be comprised of seven

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(7) members as follows: The director of the division of economic data and information; The

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director of the department of revenue, or designee; The director of the economic development

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corporation, or designee; and Four (4) public members, appointed by the governor, who shall be

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selected based upon specific experience in economics, research, data analysis, and related

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background and training. In making the appointments, the governor may seek recommendations

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from both public and private institutions of higher education and other organizations within the

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state.

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     (b) Purpose. - The purpose of the council shall be to serve as an advisory body to the

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director on all matters pertaining to the responsibilities and duties of the division.

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     (c) The council shall meet no less than quarterly with the economic development

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corporation board, or a subcommittee of that board.

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     (d) All public members shall serve for a term of three (3) years and/or until their

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successors are appointed and qualified. A member shall be eligible to succeed himself or herself.

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A vacancy other than by expiration shall be filled in the same manner as an original appointment

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but only for the unexpired portion of the term.

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     (e) The members of the council shall serve without compensation.

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     (f) In carrying out the responsibility under this order, the council may: (1) Accept grant

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funds and in-kind contributions from governmental and private entities; (2) Hold hearings; (3)

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Invite experts and other witnesses to submit testimony; and (4) Engage any consultants or expert

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witnesses that it deems necessary to implement its responsibilities; provided, however, that to the

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maximum extent possible, the board shall utilize staff from state agencies.

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     (g) In addition to any other applicable law, rules or regulations, the council shall be

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subject to the provisions of chapter 42-46 ("Open Meetings") and chapter 38-2 ("Access to Public

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Records").

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     (h) The council shall be co-chaired by the director and one other member.

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     42-155-3. Powers and duties of the division. -- (a) The division of economic data and

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information shall have the following powers and duties:

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     (1) Serve as collection point of data and information on the Rhode Island economy;

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     (2) Prepare economic policy analysis on specific issues such as tax credits, tax

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expenditures and other related matters;

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     (3) Publish reports and analysis as it sees fit to help inform the state of the effect of

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economic activity and policy;

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     (4) Establish with the department of administration a central repository of economic

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information;

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     (5) Prepare and annually update a state economic data book, which shall contain a

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statistical and economic profile of the state and its region;

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     (6) Every two (2) years, prepare a business climate profile for the state which shall

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compare the statistical and economic profile of the state with its neighbors and all fifty states;

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     (7) Review and advise on the strategic economic development plan for the state of Rhode

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Island established pursuant to title 42; 

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     (8) Utilize objective data to evaluate economic development policy goals, resource use

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and outcome evaluation and to perform short and long-term policy planning and development;

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and

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     (9) At the direction of the governor, conduct independent reviews of state-administered

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economic development programs, policies and related agency actions and activities and assist the

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department directors in identifying strategies to address any issues or areas of concern that may

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emerge therefrom. The department directors shall provide any information and assistance deemed

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necessary by the division when undertaking such independent reviews.

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     (b) All departments, offices, boards and agencies of the state shall cooperate with the

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division of economic data and information and furnish such administrative and staff support,

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advice, information, documentary and otherwise, data and data analysis as may be necessary or

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desirable.

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     42-155-4. Powers and duties of the director of the division of economic data and

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information. -- (a) The director of economic data and information is hereby authorized and

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empowered to make rules and regulations as the director may deem necessary for the proper

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administration and enforcement of the laws of Rhode Island for the division of economic data and

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information.

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     (b) The director shall meet no less than quarterly with the director of the economic

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development corporation to aid in, and inform, the implementation of the economic development

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plan established pursuant to the provisions of title 42 and shall publish a quarterly report

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regarding implementation of the economic development plan and any other information as the

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director shall deem appropriate.

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     (c) The director is empowered to establish an economic data and information advisory

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council pursuant to the provisions of section 42-155-2. 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01984

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT

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     This act would establish a division of economic data and information within the

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department of administration.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01984

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