RESOLVED, That a special senate commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of nine (9) members all of whom shall be citizens and residents of the state; three (3) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the majority leader; one (1) of whom shall be the director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the chairman of the Slater Center Environmental Biotechnology Center, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be the vice provost for research at the University of Rhode Island, or designee; one (1) of whom shall be a consultant with small business experience, appointed by the senate majority leader; and one (1) of whom shall be a consultant with venture capital experience, appointed by the senate majority leader.

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 leaders 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 study and make recommendations to the senate on the status of emerging ocean technologies and environmental biotechnologies in the state of Rhode Island, and other matters related thereto.

Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the senate majority leader and organize and shall select from among the legislators 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 senate majority leader 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 senate on or before May 28, 2003 and said commission shall expire on July 28, 2003.