It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 45-19-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-19 entitled "Relief of Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers" is hereby amended to read as follows:

45-19-5. Board of fire fighter's relief. -- Within the department of labor there shall be a board of fire fighter's relief, consisting of three (3) members, which shall administer the fund for the relief of fire fighters, as provided in this chapter. One (1) member of the board shall be appointed by the director of labor, one (1) member shall be appointed by the Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO-CLC, and the third member shall be an active member of a Volunteer Fire Department who shall be appointed by the Rhode Island State Firemen's League to represent volunteer fire fighters on said board; provided, however, that all financial powers and duties concerning the board of fire fighter's relief shall be administered by the general treasurer.

{ADD The term of office of the present volunteer firefighter appointed by the Rhode Island State Firemen's League shall expire on June 30, 1996. A succesor volunteer fire fighter shall thereafter be appointed by the Rhode Island State Firemen's League for a term of three (3) years and shall continue to hold office until a successor has been likewise appointed. A member may be reappointed to succeed himself or herself.

Members shall be appointed to fill vacancies for unexpired terms due to death, resignation, or cause. A member appointed for less than a full term (to fill a vacancy) may serve three (3) full years in addition to that part of a full term.

The appointing authority may remove a member for cause. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect November 30, 1996.