ARTICLE 5 AS AMENDED

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS

SECTION 1. Section 24-12-40.F of the General Laws in Chapter 24-12 entitled "Rhode

Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority" is hereby amended to read as follows:

24-12-40.F. Title to Sakonnet River Bridge vested in Rhode Island turnpike and

bridge authority -- Institution of tolls. -- All powers, control, and jurisdiction of and title to the

Sakonnet River Bridge is authorized to be transferred to the Rhode Island turnpike and bridge

authority. The Beginning February 1, 2014 August 19, 2013, the authority may charge and collect tolls for the use

of the Sakonnet River Bridge to provide funds sufficient with any other monies available therefor

for paying the costs of acquiring, leasing, maintaining, repairing and operating, the Jamestown

Verrazzano Bridge, the Mount Hope Bridge, the Newport Bridge, and the Sakonnet River Bridge,

the turnpike and additional facilities. Until February 1, 2014, the Authority shall not charge and

collect tolls in excess of those in place on the Newport Bridge on June 1, 2013. Should any part

of this section contravene or be inconsistent with any term or provision of the general laws, the

provisions of this section shall control Provided, however, until April 1, 2014, the toll imposed on the Sakonnet River Bridge shall not exceed ten cents ($0.10).

SECTION 2. Commission Established - There is hereby established a Special Legislative

Commission to Study the Funding for East Bay Bridges.

     (a) That a special legislative commission shall consist of nine (9) members as follows:

Three (3) of whom shall be members of the house, one of whom shall be the chairperson of the

house finance committee, and not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be

appointed by the speaker of the house; Three (3) of whom shall be members of the senate, one of

whom shall be the chairperson of the senate finance committee, and not more than two (2) from

the same political party, to be appointed by the president of the senate; One of whom shall be the

director of transportation, or designee; One of whom shall be the director of the Rhode Island

turnpike and bridge authority, or designee; and One of whom shall be the director of the

department of administration, or designee. The chairpersons of the respective house finance

committee and senate finance committee shall serve as co-chairpersons of this special legislative

commission.

     (b) The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study of all types

of equitable and reliable funding mechanisms and/or strategies to support the East Bay

Infrastructure (EBI) fund, as set forth in R.I.G.L. section 24-17-3 Rhode Island’s infrastructure, including, but not limited to,

the use of the Sakonnet River Bridge, in order to provide the necessary funding for capital

transportation projects, preventative maintenance projects, and for the purposes set forth in

section 24-12-40.F.

     (c) The commission shall report its findings and results to the General Assembly on or

before January 15, 2014 December 1, 2013 January 15, 2014.

     (d) The commission shall expire on June 4, 2014.

SECTION 3. This article shall take effect upon passage.