Chapter 185

2006 -- H 7175 SUBSTITUTE B

Enacted 06/29/06

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EAST BAY ECONOMIC INITIATIVE

Introduced By: Representatives E Coderre, Crowley, Gallison, and Anguilla

Date Introduced: February 08, 2006

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-126-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-126 entitled "East Bay

Economic Initiative" is hereby amended to read as follows:

42-126-5. Creation of the steering committee. -- (a) The East Bay Economic Initiative's

activities shall be governed by a steering committee, which shall serve as its board of directors,

and shall have the following membership: ; three (3) state senators from the East Bay appointed

by the president of the senate, not more than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political

party; three (3) state representatives from the East Bay appointed by the speaker of the house of

representatives, not more than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party; the

director of Economic Development Corporation, or the designee of the director; the associate

director for planning of the Department of Administration, or the designee of the associate

director; and nine (9) public members from private businesses in the East Bay or from business

organizations, appointed by the governor., with the advice and consent of the senate. The

governor shall appoint the chairperson of the steering committee from among the public

members. Members of the steering committee established by executive order 94-3 shall be

members of the steering committee hereby created and shall remain in office until their

successors are duly appointed.

(b) All public members of the steering committee as of the effective date of this act shall

cease to be members of the steering committee as of the effective date of this act, but shall be

eligible for reappointment thereafter pursuant to this subsection. The governor shall thereupon

nominate nine (9) public members: three (3) of whom shall serve initial terms of one year; three

(3) of whom shall serve initial terms of two (2) years; and three (3) of whom shall serve initial

terms of three (3) years. Thereafter, all public members shall be appointed to serve three (3) year

terms.

(c) Members of the steering committee shall be removable by the governor pursuant to

the provisions of section 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for

partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.

(d) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the steering committee shall

approve and submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,

the president of the senate, and the secretary of state, of its activities during that fiscal year. The

report shall provide an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including

meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, appeals considered and their disposition,

rules or regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved or

modified and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds

received and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these

funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of

performance during the previous fiscal year, including accomplishments, shortcomings and

remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the

authority of the steering committee; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to this

chapter; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and

recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the websites of

the general assembly and the secretary of state pursuant to the provisions of section 42-20-8.2.

The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the

provisions of this subsection.

(e) The steering committee shall conduct a training course for newly appointed and

qualified members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be

developed by the chair of the steering committee, be approved by the steering committee and be

conducted by the steering committee. The steering committee may approve the use of any

steering committee and/or staff members and/or individuals to assist with training. The training

course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14

and 38-2; and the steering committee's rules and regulations. The director of the department of

administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act, prepare and

disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01825/SUB B

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