R 309

2003 -- S 1197

Enacted 07/01/03

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

CREATING A SPECIAL SENATE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RHODE ISLAND

GENERAL LAWS AS THEY PERTAIN TO REGULATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES

Introduced By: Senator Leo R. Blais

Date Introduced: July 01, 2003

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

consisting of eight (8) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more than

two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one (1) of

whom shall be the Director of the Department of Administration, or designee; one (1) of whom

shall be the Director of the United States Small Business Administration, or designee; one (1) of

whom shall be the Director of the Economic Development Corporation, or designee; one (1) of

whom shall be a small business owner from the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce,

to be appointed by the President of the Senate; and one (1) of whom shall be a small business

owner from the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, to be appointed by the President of

the Senate.

     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 member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to review Rhode Island state laws relating to

regulation of small businesses, examine ways to allow regulatory flexibility, and establish

processes to measure the economic impact of new regulations on small businesses in the state.

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

the call of the President of the Senate 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 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

Senate no later than June 16, 2004 and said commission shall expire on August 16, 2004.

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LC03493

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