2026 -- H 7678

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LC005042

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON CITY AND TOWN

AFFAIRS

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, J. Brien, McEntee, Chippendale, Shallcross
Smith, Noret, Corvese, and Speakman

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2026

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s thirty-nine cities and towns are essential partners in the

effective delivery of government services and the promotion of the health, safety, and welfare of

residents; and

     WHEREAS, A structured, ongoing forum for collaboration between the General

Assembly, the Executive Branch, and municipal leaders will enhance communication, align

policy objectives, and strengthen Rhode Island’s overall capacity for effective public

administration; now, therefore be it

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

created consisting of nine (9) members: one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the

House; one of whom shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House; one of whom shall

be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be appointed by the Minority

Leader of the Senate; one of whom shall be appointed by the Governor; one of whom shall be the

Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee; one of whom

shall be representative of a rural municipality, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one

of whom shall be representative of a suburban municipality, to be appointed by the President of

the Senate; and one of whom shall be representative of an urban municipality, to be appointed by

the Executive Director of the League of Cities and Towns.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to strengthen coordination between state and

local government, review and recommend policies to improve municipal governance and

intergovernmental collaboration, identify barriers that hinder municipal operations and propose

practical solutions, provide a forum for early consultation on proposed state legislation or

regulations with potential municipal impact, and prepare findings and policy recommendations to

enhance municipal efficiency and public service delivery.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate and shall select, from among the

members 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 Joint Committee on Legislative Services 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

General Assembly on or before December 31, 2026, and said commission shall expire on January

31, 2027.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON CITY AND TOWN

AFFAIRS

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     This resolution would create a nine (9) member Special Joint Legislative Commission on

City and Town Affairs to strengthen coordination between state and local government and would

report back to the General Assembly by December 31, 2026, and would expire on January 31,

2027.

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