2026 -- H 8430

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LC006292

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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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 AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO SHARED SERVICES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Cortvriend, and McNamara

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2026

     Referred To: House Education

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

consisting of thirteen (13) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House, not more

than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of

whom shall be a member of the public with extensive business consolidation and shared services

experience, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a student from a

Rhode Island public high school facing funding challenges, to be appointed by the Speaker of the

House; one of whom shall be the President or chief executive officer of the Rhode Island Public

Expenditure Council, or designee; one of whom shall be the Commissioner of Elementary and

Secondary Education, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the National Education

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

Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, or designee; one of whom shall be the president

of the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the

President of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, or designee; one of whom shall

the be President or chief executive office of the Rhode Island Manufacturer’s Association, or

designee; and one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Association of School

Principals, or designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator; provided that, the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party

which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general

public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide

recommendations on the issues relating to exploring a shared services model between Rhode

Island school districts facing funding and operational challenges.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House and shall organize and select a chairperson from among the

legislators.

     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 no later than April 30, 2027, and said commission shall expire on June

24, 2027.

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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 AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO SHARED SERVICES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

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     This resolution would create a special legislative commission whose purpose it would be

to study and provide recommendations relating to shared services between Rhode Island school

districts, and who would report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives

no later than April 30, 2027, and said commission would expire on June 24, 2027.

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