R 133

2003 -- H 6270

Enacted 04/02/03

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE DEFENSE ECONOMY PLANNING COMMISSION

Introduced By: Representatives Fox, Callahan, Long, Gallison, and Crowley

Date Introduced: April 02, 2003

     WHEREAS, The defense industry is critical to the strength of the Rhode Island economy;

and

     WHEREAS, The defense industry provides high-quality, good-paying jobs for residents

throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, In 2005, the United States Congress and the Department of Defense will be

convening a Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) to examine all of the nation's

military bases; and

     WHEREAS, The potential impact of closing or relocating the local Naval Base would be

devastating to our state's economy, both in the loss of jobs and the loss of revenue for the state;

and

     WHEREAS, The defense industry has an economic impact of $1.6 billion and employs

over 15,000 people in the state; and

     WHEREAS, On Aquidneck Island alone, 11,000 people, military and civilian, are

employed by the defense industry with a payroll of over $870 million; and

     WHEREAS, The House of Representatives must implement policies that will help

preserve our current defense economy and provide incentives for new investments; now,

therefore be it

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

consisting of seventeen (17) members: nine (9) of whom shall be from the House of

Representatives, not more than seven (7) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker; one (1) of whom shall be the President of the Southeastern New England Defense

Industry Alliance or his or her designee; one (1) of whom shall be the Executive Director of the

Newport County Chamber of Commerce or his or her designee; one (1) of whom shall be a

member of a Chamber of Commerce other than the Newport Chamber of Commerce or his or her

designee; one (1) of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic

Development Corporation or his or her designee; two (2) of whom shall be members of the public

with experience in past base realignment and closure commissions; and two (2) of whom shall be

members of the public connected to the defense industry, to be appointed by the Speaker.

     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 discuss issues pertaining to the state's defense

economy and propose initiatives to sustain and enhance the defense economy in Rhode Island.

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

the call of the Speaker 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 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 December 1, 2003 and said commission shall expire on

May 19, 2006.

=======

LC02956

=======