2013 -- H 6001

=======

LC02377

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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

     Date Introduced: April 23, 2013

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

1-2

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

1-3

     CHAPTER 7.4

1-4

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1-5

     42-7.4-1. Declaration of purpose. -- The purpose of this chapter is to establish within

1-6

the executive office of state government an executive office of economic development. The

1-7

executive office of economic development will serve as the principal agency of the executive

1-8

branch of state government for planning, organizing, facilitating, marketing and managing the

1-9

state's efforts to attract and retain business and industrial enterprises, and foster a vibrant business

1-10

economy.

1-11

     42-7.4-2. Executive office of economic development. -- There is hereby established

1-12

within the executive branch of state government an executive office of economic development.

1-13

     42-7.4-3. Powers and duties of the executive office. -- The executive office shall be

1-14

responsible for the management and administration of the following state departments:

1-15

     (1) Department of business regulation (chapter 14 of title 42).

1-16

     (2) Department of labor and training (chapter 16.1 of title 42).

1-17

     (3) All state departments, divisions and agencies having oversight and regulatory

1-18

authority over tourism, economic development, corporate services and marketing of the state's

1-19

resources to existing or prospective businesses.

2-1

     42-7.4-4. Responsibilities of the executive office of economic development. – The

2-2

executive office of economic development is responsible to:

2-3

     (1) Improve the effectiveness, efficiency, coordination, and quality of economic

2-4

development policy and planning, budgeting and financing.

2-5

     (2) Manage the development and where necessary the financing of business related

2-6

infrastructure in cooperation with local cities and towns and through a separately organized

2-7

economic development financing corporation.

2-8

     (3) Implement best practices in regulating business activities where called for or required,

2-9

with an eye toward minimization or repeal of regulatory processes where little or no economic

2-10

benefit can be demonstrated.

2-11

     (4) Design strategies and implement best practices to align statewide educational assets

2-12

with workforce development.

2-13

     (5) Organize and coordinate business incubation centers within Rhode Island colleges

2-14

and universities to develop and commercialize scientific, technical and engineering discovery.

2-15

     (6) Leverage the state's tourism assets by undertaking national and international

2-16

marketing efforts to increase visitor arrivals and stays.

2-17

     (7) Maximize and leverage funds from all available public and private sources, including

2-18

federal financial participation, grants and awards.

2-19

     (8) Ensure that economic development policies and programs are responsive to changing

2-20

economic needs and changes in the business environment affecting the welfare of the residents of

2-21

the state.

2-22

     42-7.4-5. Secretary of economic development - Appointment. -- The executive office

2-23

of economic development shall be administered by a secretary of economic development,

2-24

hereafter referred to as ("secretary"). The secretary will be an individual with significant

2-25

experience in business and industry, and must have been responsible for managing an enterprise

2-26

with more than one thousand (1,000) employees. The position of secretary is hereby created in

2-27

the unclassified service. The secretary shall be appointed by the governor, and shall be subject to

2-28

advice and consent of the senate. The secretary shall hold office at the pleasure of the governor,

2-29

and until a successor is appointment and qualified. Before entering upon the discharge of duties,

2-30

the secretary shall take an oath to faithfully execute the duties of the office.

2-31

     42-7.4-6. Responsibilities of the secretary. -- The secretary shall be responsible to the

2-32

governor for supervising the executive office of economic development, and for managing and

2-33

providing strategic leadership and direction to the departments reporting to the office.

2-34

Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in this chapter, the governor shall appoint the directors

3-1

of the departments within the executive office of economic development. Directors appointed to

3-2

those departments shall continue to be subject to the advice and consent of the senate and shall

3-3

continue to hold office as set forth in section 42-6-1 et seq.

3-4

     42-7.4-7. Appointment of employees. -- The secretary, subject to the provisions of

3-5

applicable state law, shall be the appointing authority for all employees of the executive office of

3-6

economic development.

3-7

     42-7.4-8. Rules and regulations. -- The executive office of economic development is

3-8

authorized to make and promulgate such rules and regulations as he or she deems necessary for

3-9

the proper administration of this chapter and to carry out the purposes thereof.

3-10

     42-7.4-9. Severability. -- If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any

3-11

person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not effect other provisions or

3-12

applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application,

3-13

and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.

3-14

     SECTION 2. Section 42-6-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-6 entitled "Departments

3-15

of State Government" is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-16

     42-6-1. Enumeration of departments. -- All the administrative powers and duties

3-17

heretofore vested by law in the several state departments, boards, divisions, bureaus,

3-18

commissions, and other agencies shall be vested in the following departments and other agencies

3-19

which are specified in this title:

3-20

      (a) Executive department (chapter 7 of this title);

3-21

      (b) Department of state (chapter 8 of this title);

3-22

      (c) Department of the attorney general (chapter 9 of this title);

3-23

      (d) Treasury department (chapter 10 of this title);

3-24

      (e) Department of administration (chapter 11 of this title);

3-25

      (f) Department of business regulation (chapter 14 of this title);

3-26

      (g) Department of children, youth, and families (chapter 72 of this title);

3-27

      (h) Department of corrections (chapter 56 of this title);

3-28

      (i) Department of elderly affairs (chapter 66 of this title);

3-29

      (j) Department of elementary and secondary education (chapter 60 of title 16);

3-30

      (k) Department of environmental management (chapter 17.1 of this title);

3-31

      (l) Department of health (chapter 18 of this title);

3-32

      (m) Board of governors for higher education (chapter 59 of title 16);

3-33

      (n) Department of labor and training (chapter 16.1 of this title);

4-34

      (o) Department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals (chapter 12.1 of this title);

4-35

      (p) Department of human services (chapter 12 of this title);

4-36

      (q) Department of transportation (chapter 13 of this title);

4-37

      (r) Public utilities commission (chapter 14.3 of this title);

4-38

      (s) Department of revenue (chapter 142 of title 42);

4-39

      (t) Department of public safety (chapter 7.3 of this title).;

4-40

      (u) Executive office of economic development (chapter 7.4 of this title).

4-41

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02377

=======

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

***

5-1

     This act would establish the executive office of economic development, and would set

5-2

forth the responsibilities of this office. It would further provide for the appointment of secretary

5-3

of the executive office of economic development.

5-4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02377

=======