2021 -- H 5950

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LC001761

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ENTIRE AREA

OF LAND USE, PRESERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, ENVIRONMENT, AND

REGULATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2021

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is the smallest state in terms of its geographical surface land

area, which makes this surface land area an important and critical resource; and

     WHEREAS, It is important for Rhode Island to address issues of land use, preservation,

development, and regulation in a way that properly manages the use of this important resource to

insure and promote land use which allows for both growth and sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island, like most of the nation, is facing a shortage of affordable

housing; and land use regulations, particularly zoning ordinances, have a major impact on the

availability of affordable housing; and

     WHEREAS, The implications of global warming and climate change on land use

planning are becoming more consequential to our state each year; and

     WHEREAS, At this time, it is imperative for the House to undertake a broad based

review of comprehensive land use in this state; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of eighteen (18) members: one of whom shall be the Director of Environmental

Management, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of Business Regulation, or

designee; one of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island Housing Board of Commissioners,

to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be employed with the Division

of Statewide Planning, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a

representative of the real estate industry, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of

whom shall be a representative of an environmental group, to be appointed by the Speaker of the

House; one of whom shall be a municipal planner, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

one of whom shall be an attorney with land use expertise, to be appointed by the Speaker of the

House; one of whom shall be a representative of the agricultural industry, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; six (6) of whom shall be members of the public, who, whenever possible,

shall be competent by training or experience in the fields of solar energy, offshore wind power,

civil engineering, land surveying, commerce, or who are representatives from Save the Bay, the

Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, or

Grow Smart Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a

representative of the building trades industry, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of

whom shall be a representative from a city zoning board, to be appointed by the Speaker of the

House; and one of whom shall be an individual whose professional experience enables them to

understand and address issues related to the accessibility and equity of land use regulations and

procedures for vulnerable and/or historically disenfranchised populations, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to undertake a comprehensive study and a broad

based review of the entire areas of land use, preservation, production, development, housing,

environment, and regulation, in the state, and provide recommendations based upon this study

and review, that will enable the state to ensure and promote land use which allows for sustainable

and equitable economic growth.

     Forthwith upon the passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet

at the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives on or before April 30, 2022, and said commission shall expire on June

30, 2022.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ENTIRE AREA

OF LAND USE, PRESERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, ENVIRONMENT, AND

REGULATION

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     This resolution creates a special legislative commission to study the entire areas of land

use, preservation, production, development, housing, environment, and regulation, and would

report back to the House of Representatives on or before April 30, 2022, and would expire on

June 30, 2022.

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LC001761

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