06-R 375

2006 -- S 2924

Enacted 06/22/06

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

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY STATE/LOCAL PARTNERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE OF ROADS

Introduced By: Senators Goodwin, Pichardo, Perry, and F Caprio

Date Introduced: March 09, 2006

     WHEREAS, The economic vitality and appropriate growth throughout the State of Rhode

Island depends upon a rational network of well maintained highways, roads, streets, sidewalks,

and bridges for automobiles, public transportation, trucking, bicyclists and pedestrians; and

     WHEREAS, The planning, management and maintenance of this roadway system

requires a partnership of state and local government to ensure the fair and effective allocation and

the efficient and appropriate use of resources; and

     WHEREAS, The development of a system for future planning, management and

maintenance of roadways in the State of Rhode Island, which clearly delineates the

responsibilities of local governments and state, based upon the classification and primary purpose

and use of roadways, will lead to the strategically beneficial allocation of the appropriate

municipal and state resources; now, therefore be it

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

consisting of thirteen (13) members: three (3) of whom shall be from the house of representatives,

not more than two (2) from the same political party to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

three (3) of whom shall be from the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party,

to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode

Island Department of Transportation, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the

Rhode Island Division of Planning, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of

the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee; two (2) of whom shall be members of

the general public, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and two (2) of whom shall be

members of the general public, 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 appointment of the member of the general

public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to study the current allocation of responsibilities

for maintaining the roadway system in the state and to recommend ways to improve and ensure

the rational, fair and adequate funding of the state/municipal partnership and strategy for the

planning, management and maintenance of the roadway system in Rhode Island.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House 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

general assembly on or before February 1, 2007, and said commission shall expire on June 30,

2007.

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LC00556

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