2024 -- H 7977 SUBSTITUTE A

========

LC005506/SUB A

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ABILITY OF THE

RHODE ISLAND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO OFFER DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE

PROGRAMS WITHIN THE STATE TO PROVIDE A SUPPLY AND A PIPELINE OF

PLANNERS, PLANNING TECHNICIANS, AND PLANNING STAFF

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Cruz, Morales, Speakman,
Spears, Craven, Azzinaro, Solomon, and Kazarian

     Date Introduced: March 05, 2024

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     WHEREAS, There are challenges to development in Rhode Island including the

significant amount of time to obtain local permits, environmental challenges and restrictive and

outdated local zoning and planning regulations and comprehensive plans; and

     WHEREAS, At this time, it is imperative to undertake a broad based review of the ability

to improve upon in-state educational opportunities, programs and certifications; now therefore be

it

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

consisting of thirteen (13) members: one of whom shall be the Commissioner of the Rhode Island

Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of

the University of Rhode Island, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of Rhode Island

College, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Community College of Rhode

Island, or designee; one of whom shall be the Associate Director of the State of Rhode Island

Division of Statewide Planning, or designee; one of whom shall be the secretary of the Rhode

Island department of housing, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the American

Planning Association-Rhode Island Division, or designee; two (2) of whom shall be municipal

planners, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, one of whom shall be from a city or town

with a population of less than twenty-five thousand, and one of whom shall be from a city or

town with a population of twenty-five thousand or greater; one of whom shall be the Executive

Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee; one of whom shall be a

teacher from a career technical education "CTE" school, to be appointed by the Speaker of the

House; and two (2) of whom shall be members of the public, one of whom shall possess

significant professional housing experience, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

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

review of the ability of the Rhode Island educational system to offer degrees of certificate

programs within the State to provide a supply and a pipeline of planners, planning technicians and

planning staff, and provide recommendations based upon this study and review, that will enable

the State to ensure and promote the aforementioned educational opportunities.

     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 1, 2025, and said commission shall expire on June

30, 2025.

========

LC005506/SUB A

========

LC005506/SUB A - Page 2 of 3

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 ABILITY OF THE

RHODE ISLAND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO OFFER DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE

PROGRAMS WITHIN THE STATE TO PROVIDE A SUPPLY AND A PIPELINE OF

PLANNERS, PLANNING TECHNICIANS, AND PLANNING STAFF

***

     This resolution would create a thirteen (13) member special legislative study commission

whose purpose it would be to study the ability of the Rhode Island educational system to offer

degree or certificate programs within the State to provide a supply and a pipeline of planners,

planning technicians, and planning staff, and who would report back to the House no later than

April 1, 2025, and whose life would expire on June 30, 2025.

========

LC005506/SUB A

========

LC005506/SUB A - Page 3 of 3