| R 316 |
| 2017 -- S 0887 Enacted 06/14/2017 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RHODE ISLAND WATER RESOURCES BOARD AND WATER SUPPLY |
| Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Coyne, and Conley |
| Date Introduced: May 11, 2017 |
| WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has been endowed with many and abundant |
| sources of water supplies located advantageously, for the most part, throughout the state. The |
| proper development, protection, conservation, and use of these water resources are essential to the |
| health, safety, and welfare of the general public, and to the continued growth and economic |
| development of the state; and |
| WHEREAS, It is the duty of the water resources board to regulate the proper |
| development, protection, conservation and use of the water resources of the state; now, therefore |
| be it |
| RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to be known as the "Commission to |
| Study the Rhode Island Water Resources Board" be and the same is hereby created consisting of |
| fifteen (15) members: one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Senate Environment and |
| Agriculture Committee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the commission; one of whom shall |
| be the Director of the Department of Administration, or designee; one of whom shall be the |
| Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one of |
| whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, or designee; one of whom |
| shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, or designee; one of |
| whom shall be a representative of an agricultural community, to be appointed by the President of |
| the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Water Works Association, |
| to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of the |
| Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of |
| whom shall be a representative of a conservation or similar environmental organization, to be |
| appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be an independent private well |
| owner, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of |
| the tourism industry, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a water |
| utility customer, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a |
| representative of a Rhode Island based manufacturer, to be appointed by the President of the |
| Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of a water based outdoor recreational group, to be |
| appointed by the President of the Senate; and one of whom shall be a Rhode Island attorney with |
| experience in land use, to be appointed by the President of the Senate. |
| The purpose of said commission shall be to review all functions and operations of the |
| Water Resources Board and make recommendations to the Senate to strengthen the governance of |
| the state's water supply to ensure the proper development, protection, conservation and use of the |
| state’s water resources. |
| Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at |
| the call of the Chairperson of the commission. |
| Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment. |
| The commission shall assemble no less than four (4) times, or more often at the call of |
| the Chairperson, upon written notice of each meeting stating the place, day, and time of the |
| meeting along with the purpose and/or agenda of the meeting. |
| A quorum of the Commission shall consist of a majority of its membership and the |
| membership 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; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the |
| President of the Senate no later than January 3, 2018, and said commission shall expire on March |
| 3, 2018. |
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| LC002673 |
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