10-R378

2010 -- H 8239

Enacted 06/25/10

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

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON DEFENSE ECONOMY PLANNING

Introduced By: Representatives Gallison, Jackson, Martin, Ruggiero, and A Rice

Date Introduced: June 03, 2010

      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, The defense industry has an economic impact of $1.75 billion and employs

over 16,000 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 $900 million; and

           WHEREAS, The Rhode Island General Assembly 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 legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of twenty-five (25) members: six (6) of whom shall be from the House of

Representatives, not more than four (4) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; six (6) of whom shall be from the Senate, not more than four (4) from the

same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be the

President of the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance, or designee; one of whom

shall be the Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, or designee; one

of whom shall be a member of a Chamber of Commerce other than the Newport Chamber of

Commerce, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Executive

Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, or designee; one of whom

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

whom shall be the Commanding Officer of the Rhode Island National Guard, or designee; one of

whom shall be the President of the Community College of Rhode Island, or designee; one of

whom shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Textron Corporation, or designee; one of whom

shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Electric Boat Corporation, or designee; two (2) of

whom shall be members of the public with experience in past base realignment and closure

commissions, one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one of whom

shall be appointed by the President of the Senate; and two (2) of whom shall be members of the

public connected to the defense industry, one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the

House and one of whom shall 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 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 of the House and the President of the Senate and shall organize. The

Speaker of the House shall designate one member of the House and the President of the Senate

shall designate one member of the Senate to serve as co-chairpersons of the commission.

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

annually to the General Assembly no later than June 30th of each year.

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LC02816

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