10-R345

2010 -- S 3023

Enacted 06/10/10

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

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

Introduced By: Senators Connors, and Miller

Date Introduced: June 10, 2010

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's current gasoline tax, as enacted in chapter 36 of title 31,

provides a stream of revenue for state administered highways, mass transit construction and

maintenance of local roads and street, and other purposes; and

     WHEREAS, Volatility in the wholesale and retail prices of gasoline, over which Rhode

Islanders have little or no control, can and does significantly affect the level of public

consumption of gasoline; this, in turn, significantly affects the revenues generated from the

gasoline tax; and

     WHEREAS, The volatility in revenues generated from the gasoline tax can and does

result in multiple difficulties, including unanticipated revenue shortfalls and planning difficulties

for the department of transportation and the Rhode Island public transit authority; and

     WHEREAS, The people of the state could significantly benefit if a more stable and

predictable source of revenue were found to replace or supplement the gasoline tax; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to be known as the "Study

Commission on Sustainable Transportation Funding" is hereby created consisting of twelve (12)

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 of whom shall be the director of

the department of transportation, or designee; one of whom shall be the director of the division of

taxation, or designee; one of whom shall be the director of the division of motor vehicles, or

designee; one of whom shall be the general manager of the Rhode Island public transit authority,

or designee; and five (5) of whom shall be representatives of the general public to be appointed

jointly by the speaker of the house and the president of the senate as follows: one representing the

business community; one representing organized labor; one representing an environmental

advocacy group; one representing a transportation advocacy group; and one representing gasoline

dealers. The president of the senate shall select a chairperson. Vacancies in the commission shall

be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The purpose of the commission shall be to make a comprehensive examination of issues

relating to the desirability and feasibility of the state developing and implementing new funding

sources for the department of transportation and the Rhode Island public transit authority as

replacements for or supplements to the current gasoline tax. The areas of inquiry of the study

commission shall include, but not be limited to, funding methods that have been included in the

Blue Ribbon Panel report of December 2008 on a sustainable approach to transportation funding,

reports that have been previously issued or published by governmental or non-governmental

panels, commissions, and organizations. For each such new funding source studied, the

commission may examine economic and fiscal implications, community, social, and

environmental benefits and detriments, and issues of fairness and equity.

     The commission shall file a written report with the president of the senate no later than

twelve (12) months after the passage of this resolution. The commission shall expire six (6)

months following delivery of its written report, and, during that time, shall study any additional

questions or matters directed to it by the president of the senate. The responses of the study

commission to any such additional questions or matters submitted to it shall be conveyed to the

president of the senate. The commission shall dissolve upon completion of its duties as set forth

in this paragraph.

     The commission shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42 (Open

Meetings) and chapter 2 of title 38 (Open Records).

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to the commission and its agents as may be deemed necessary or

desirable to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.

     The joint committee on legislative services is authorized and directed to provide suitable

quarters for the commission.

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LC02964

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