2013 -- H 5542

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LC01257

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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 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - JOINT COMMITTEE ON ROAD AND

BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, O'Brien, Edwards, Williams, and Gallison

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2013

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 22 of the General Laws entitled "GENERAL ASSEMBLY" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 22-7.11

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PERMANENT JOINT COMMITTEE ON ROAD AND BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE

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FUNDING

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     22-22-7.11-1. Permanent committee - Composition. – There is created a permanent

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joint committee of the general assembly on road and bridge infrastructure funding to consist of

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seven (7) members of the general assembly, three (3) of whom shall be from the senate to be

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appointed by the president of the senate, four (4) of whom shall be from the house of

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representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. The

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chairpersonship of the committee shall alternate biannually from the house to the senate.

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     22-22-7.11-2. Selection of officers. – Upon organization of the joint committee, the

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speaker of the house shall appoint the officers of the joint committee.

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     22-22-7.11-3. Duties. – It shall be the duty of the joint committee to create and promote a

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predictable and sustainable funding formula for the support, maintenance, and improvement of

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the infrastructure of roads and bridges within the state of Rhode Island.

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     22-22-7.11-4. Reports and recommendations. – The joint committee on road and bridge

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infrastructure funding shall, from time to time, and at least annually, report to the general

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assembly on its findings and the results of its studies, and make any recommendations to the

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general assembly and propose any legislation or initiate any studies that it shall deem advisable.

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     22-22-7.11-5. Technical assistance. – The joint committee shall, if it finds it cannot

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obtain proper assistance from available sources, contract for any technical services that it shall

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require to effectuate its purposes.

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     22-22-7.11-6. References to committee. – Each branch of the legislature shall refer to

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the joint committee, either initially or after action by other committees, all bills and resolutions

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dealing with or affecting road and bridge infrastructure and/or on the funding thereof.

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     22-22-7.11-7. Place of meeting - Quorum. – The joint committee on legislative services

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shall provide adequate space in the state house for the use of the joint committee on road and

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bridge infrastructure funding; provided, that the joint committee on road and bridge infrastructure

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funding may conduct hearings and hold meetings elsewhere when doing so will better serve its

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purposes. A majority in number of the joint committee on road and bridge infrastructure funding

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shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01257

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - JOINT COMMITTEE ON ROAD AND

BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE

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     This act would create a permanent joint committee of the general assembly on road and

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bridge infrastructure funding. The purpose of the committee would be to create a sustainable

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funding formula for the improvement of the infrastructure of roads and bridges within the state.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01257

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