2013 -- H 6070 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED

=======

LC02351/SUB A

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC

ADVISORS

     Introduced By: Representatives Walsh, Tomasso, Winfield, Tanzi, and Valencia

     Date Introduced: May 01, 2013

     Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Findings and purpose.

1-2

     WHEREAS, There is a need for state governments to generate data and information to

1-3

use in policy analysis; and

1-4

     WHEREAS, the state of Rhode Island should collect, gather and share data and

1-5

information about the state and the economy; and

1-6

     WHEREAS, The state of Rhode Island does not have a central repository of data and

1-7

information; and

1-8

     WHEREAS, There is a need for sound economic policy analysis to better understand the

1-9

economy within the state and how the state’s economy interacts with other areas and regions; and

1-10

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s current economic climate and budget challenges require the

1-11

evaluation and better understanding of the economic conditions facing the state; and

1-12

     RESOLVED, That the state should and by this legislation shall create the organization

1-13

that will be responsible for the collection of economic data and preparation of economic and tax

1-14

policy analysis.

1-15

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

1-16

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

1-17

     CHAPTER 64.17

1-18

     COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS

2-19

     42-64.17-1. Council of economic advisors established. -- There is hereby established a

2-20

council of economic advisors who shall consist of the following nine (9) members appointed by

2-21

the governor:

2-22

     (1) The following shall be ex-officio members:

2-23

     (i) Secretary of commerce;

2-24

     (ii) Director of the office of management and budget;

2-25

     (iii) A representative from the office of revenue analysis;

2-26

     (iv) Director of labor management information systems;

2-27

     (2) In addition to the four ex-officio members, there shall be five (5) public members

2-28

selected by the governor.

2-29

     (3) The five public members selected by the governor shall be selected based upon

2-30

specific experience in economics, research and related training. The governor may seek

2-31

recommendations from both public and private institutions of higher education and other

2-32

organizations within the state.

2-33

     42-64.17-2. Purpose and charge to the council. -- The council shall:

2-34

     (a) Be a collection point of data and information on the economy of Rhode Island;

2-35

     (b) Advise on economic policy for the governor, the executive office of commerce, and

2-36

the state;

2-37

     (c) Prepare economic policy analysis on specific issues such as tax credits, tax burden,

2-38

tax expenditures, and other related matters;

2-39

     (d) Publish reports and analyses as it sees fit to inform the state of the effect of economic

2-40

activity and policy;

2-41

     (e) Establish a central repository of economic information in conjunction with the

2-42

department of administration and the department of revenue and other state departments;

2-43

     (f) Prepared an annual report on the economy of Rhode Island; and

2-44

     (g) Review and advise on the strategic economic development plan for the state of Rhode

2-45

Island.

2-46

     42-64.17-3. Structure. -- (a) The members of the council shall be appointed by governor

2-47

for terms of no longer than three (3) years and may be reappointed. The secretary of commerce

2-48

shall be the chair and the council shall select a vice chair. The council shall be staffed through the

2-49

executive office of commerce and shall utilize the staffs and resources of the division of state-

2-50

wide planning.

2-51

     (b) The council will be able to hire, subject to funding, consultants and related assistance

2-52

to provide the type of analysis to inform its work.

3-53

     42-64.17-4. State departments to cooperate with council. -- All departments, offices,

3-54

boards and agencies of the state shall cooperate with the council of economic advisors and furnish

3-55

such administrative and staff support, advice, information, documents and otherwise, data and

3-56

data analysis and other support as may be necessary or desirable.

3-57

     42-64.17-5. Powers of council. -- In carrying out the responsibility under this chapter,

3-58

the council may:

3-59

     (a) Accept grant funds and in-kind contributions from governmental and private entities;

3-60

     (b) Conduct hearings;

3-61

     (c) Invite academic experts and other witnesses to submit testimony; and

3-62

     (d) Contract with experts and consultants as necessary to inform on deliberations and

3-63

recommendations.

3-64

     42-64.17-6. Council subject to open meetings and access to public records laws. -- In

3-65

addition to any other applicable law, rules or regulations, the council of economic advisors shall

3-66

be subject to the provisions of the open meetings act as set forth in title 42, chapter 46 of the

3-67

Rhode Island general laws, and the access to public records act as set forth in title 38, chapter 2

3-68

of the Rhode Island general laws.

3-69

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2014.

=======

LC02351/SUB A

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC

ADVISORS

***

4-1

     This act would establish a new council of economic advisors. This act directs said council

4-2

to gather economic data and information on the Rhode Island economy.

4-3

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2014.

=======

LC02351/SUB A

=======