Introduced By: Senators Kelly, Sosnowski, Enos, Walsh and Fogarty
Date Introduced : April 29, 1998
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "State Affairs and Government" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
{ADD 42-130-1. Short Title. -- ADD} {ADD This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Rural Development Council Act of 1998. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-2. Legislative Findings and declaration of public policy. -- ADD} {ADD (a) It is hereby found and declared as follows: ADD}
{ADD (1) That rural communities of the state have problems and issues that differ from urban areas of the state; ADD}
{ADD (2) That rural communities lack information and a support network to manage and plan for their future; ADD}
{ADD (3) That the US government is assisting states in the establishment of councils to address rural problems and issues and that such councils have been established in other states and are effective; ADD}
{ADD (4) That there is a need to protect the environment and to preserve the way of life in rural communities. ADD}
{ADD (b) The general assembly declares that it is in the public interest and a public policy to establish a means by which to promote communication among those interested in rural development and to support the coordination of programs for rural development. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-3. Definition. -- ADD} {ADD As used in this chapter the following words and term shall have the following meanings unless the context shall indicate another or different meaning: ADD}
{ADD (a) "Council" shall mean the Rural Development Council. ADD}
{ADD (b) "Rural community" shall mean the town or portion of city or town which is considered rural for the purposes of the Rural Development Administration of the US Department of Agriculture. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-4. Establishment of the council. -- ADD} {ADD There is hereby authorized, created and established within the state of Rhode Island, the Rural Development Council as a body corporate and politic, having a distinct legal existence from the state and from the municipalities which are considered rural communities for the purposes of: ADD}
{ADD (a) Building and fostering inclusive, collaborative partnerships and networks serving rural communities; ADD}
{ADD (b) Improving the coordination and effectiveness of federal, state and other programs and services affecting rural communities; ADD}
{ADD (c) Serving as a liaison to federal, state and local government agencies to ensure that programs for rural communities are effectively used and that their benefits distribute equitably to all residents of rural communities; ADD}
{ADD (d) Fostering expanded economic and social opportunities for residents of rural communities; ADD}
{ADD (e) Serving as an advocate for the collective interests of rural communities and advising the governor, the general assembly, state and local agencies on issues effecting rural communities and their residents; ADD}
{ADD (f) Promoting intergovernmental cooperation; ADD}
{ADD (g) Acting as resource for private and nonprofit organizations on rural issues, programs, and sources of technical and financial assistance. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-5. Membership. -- ADD} {ADD The council shall have twenty five (25) members, eighteen (18) of whom shall be appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the senate, as follows: six (6) local officials from rural communities, three (3) residents of rural communities with a demonstrated interest in rural development issues, three (3) representatives of businesses located in rural communities, three (3) representatives of nonbusiness corporations serving rural communities, and one (1) representative of each of the conservation districts established pursuant to RIGL 2-4-7, one (1) representative of the Narragansett tribe, who shall be either the chief sachem or a person designated by the chief sachem, a representative of the department of administration, a representative of the department of environmental management, a representative of the department of economic development corporation, a representative of the Rhode Island cooperative extension service at the University of Rhode Island, a representative of the resource conservation and development council incorporated, and a representative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture who shall be an ex-officio non-voting member. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-6. Meetings, quorums, officers. -- ADD} {ADD The council shall adopt an annual schedule of meetings which shall provide for meeting no less frequently than once every quarter. Quorum of the council shall be a majority of currently appointed members and vacancies shall not be included in determining the numbers needed for a quorum. The council shall annually elect a chairperson, vice chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-7. Powers. -- ADD} {ADD The council shall have the following powers to accomplish its purposes: ADD}
{ADD (1) To make by-laws for the management and regulation of its affairs; ADD}
{ADD (2) To establish committees, subcommittees and advisory bodies; ADD}
{ADD (3) To adopt and order a corporate seal; ADD}
{ADD (4) To sue and be sued; ADD}
{ADD (5) To enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, subgrants, licenses and other agreements; ADD}
{ADD (6) To acquire, hold, use, lease, sell, transfer and dispose of any property or interest thereon, and to own, operate, maintain, repair or improve any property acquired hereunder; ADD}
{ADD (7) To employ such staff and consultants as may from time to time be necessary or desirable; ADD}
{ADD (8) To apply for, contract for, receive, and expend grants, to fix rates for its facilities, and to collect fees and charges for its services or for any commodities it provides; ADD}
{ADD (9) To prepare, adopt and complement plans; ADD}
{ADD (10) To advise local, state and federal government with regard to issues pertaining to its purpose; ADD}
{ADD (11) To hold public meetings and forums and to foster public understanding of and public involvement in its programs and activities; and ADD}
{ADD (12) To prepare, adopt and issue reports and engage in marketing and public information activities pertaining to rural development. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-8. Cooperation of state agencies and political subdivision. -- ADD} {ADD All state departments and agencies and all political subdivisions of the state shall cooperate as appropriate with the council to accomplish its purposes. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-9. Reporting. -- ADD} {ADD The council shall report annually by January 15, on the state fiscal year basis to the governor, the speaker of the house, the senate majority leader and to the chief executive officer of each rural community, which report shall be submitted to the city or town clerk of the respective rural communities. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-10. Construction. -- ADD} {ADD The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally in order to accomplish its purposes. ADD}
{ADD 42-130-11. Sunset. -- ADD} {ADD The provisions of this chapter shall be repealed effective July 1, 2003. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
