| R 139 |
| 2021 -- H 5950 Enacted 03/25/2021 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ENTIRE AREA OF LAND USE, PRESERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, ENVIRONMENT, AND REGULATION |
| Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, and Blazejewski |
| Date Introduced: February 26, 2021 |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Island is the smallest state in terms of its geographical surface land |
| area, which makes this surface land area an important and critical resource; and |
| WHEREAS, It is important for Rhode Island to address issues of land use, preservation, |
| development, and regulation in a way that properly manages the use of this important resource to |
| insure and promote land use which allows for both growth and sustainability; and |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Island, like most of the nation, is facing a shortage of affordable |
| housing; and land use regulations, particularly zoning ordinances, have a major impact on the |
| availability of affordable housing; and |
| WHEREAS, The implications of global warming and climate change on land use |
| planning are becoming more consequential to our state each year; and |
| WHEREAS, At this time, it is imperative for the House to undertake a broad based |
| review of comprehensive land use in this state; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created |
| consisting of eighteen (18) members: one of whom shall be the Director of Environmental |
| Management, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of Business Regulation, or |
| designee; one of whom shall be a member of the Rhode Island Housing Board of Commissioners, |
| to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be employed with the Division |
| of Statewide Planning, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a |
| representative of the real estate industry, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of |
| whom shall be a representative of an environmental group, to be appointed by the Speaker of the |
| House; one of whom shall be a municipal planner, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; |
| one of whom shall be an attorney with land use expertise, to be appointed by the Speaker of the |
| House; one of whom shall be a representative of the agricultural industry, to be appointed by the |
| Speaker of the House; six (6) of whom shall be members of the public, who, whenever possible, |
| shall be competent by training or experience in the fields of solar energy, offshore wind power, |
| civil engineering, land surveying, commerce, or who are representatives from Save the Bay, the |
| Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, or |
| Grow Smart Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a |
| representative of the building trades industry, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of |
| whom shall be a representative from a city zoning board, to be appointed by the Speaker of the |
| House; and one of whom shall be an individual whose professional experience enables them to |
| understand and address issues related to the accessibility and equity of land use regulations and |
| procedures for vulnerable and/or historically disenfranchised populations, to be appointed by the |
| Speaker of the House. |
| The purpose of said commission shall be to undertake a comprehensive study and a broad |
| based review of the entire areas of land use, preservation, production, development, housing, |
| environment, and regulation, in the state, and provide recommendations based upon this study |
| and review, that will enable the state to ensure and promote land use which allows for sustainable |
| and equitable economic growth. |
| Forthwith upon the 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 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 Speaker of the House 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 |
| House of Representatives on or before April 30, 2022, and said commission shall expire on June |
| 30, 2022. |
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| LC001761 |
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