2012 -- H 7713

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LC01132

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE - LOCAL LEGISLATIVE

POWERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Morgan, Chippendale, Newberry, Ehrhardt, and Costa

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2012

     Referred To: House Finance

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     RESOLVED, That a majority of all members elected to each house of the general

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assembly voting therefore, the following amendment to the Constitution of the state be proposed

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to the qualified electors of the state in accordance with the provisions of Article XIV of the

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Constitution for their approval and that it take the place of Article XIII, section 2, which is hereby

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amended to read as follows:

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     ARTICLE XIII

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     HOME RULE FOR CITIES AND TOWNS

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     SECTION 2. Local legislative powers – Every city and town shall have the power at any

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time to adopt a charter, amend its charter, enact and amend local laws relating to its property,

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affairs and government not inconsistent with this Constitution and laws enacted by the general

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assembly in conformity with the powers reserved to the general assembly, provided, however,

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that no city or town shall have the power to offer as an inducement to employment or continued

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employment, any compensation or benefit, future or present, including, but not limited to,

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compensation or benefits pertaining to pension or retirement, that would be in excess of any such

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compensation or benefit allowed by any law enacted by the general assembly, including laws

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enacted by the general assembly which became effective prior to this amendment.

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     RESOLVED, That the said proposition of amendment shall be submitted to the electors

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for their approval or rejection at the next statewide general election. The voting places in the

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several cities and towns shall be kept open during the hours required by law for voting therein for

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general officers of the state; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause the said proposition of amendment to

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be published as a part of this resolution in the newspapers of the state prior to the date of the said

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meetings of the said electors; and said proposition shall be inserted in the warrants or notices to

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be issued previous to said meetings of the electors for the purpose of warning the town, ward, or

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district meetings, and said proposition shall be read by the town, city, ward, or district meetings to

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be held as aforesaid; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the town, city, ward, or district meetings to be held aforesaid shall be

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warned, and the list of voters shall be canvassed and made up, and the said town, ward and

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district meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as now provided by law for the town,

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ward, and district meetings for the election of general officers of the state.

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LC01132

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE - LOCAL LEGISLATIVE

POWERS

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     This proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit municipalities from offering

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terms of employment more generous than those permitted by laws enacted by the general

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assembly prior to this amendment.

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LC01132

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