§ 42-126-5 - Creation of the steering committee.
SECTION 42-126-5
§ 42-126-5 Creation of the steeringcommittee. – (a) The East Bay Economic Initiative's activities shall be governed by asteering committee, which shall serve as its board of directors, and shall havethe following membership: the director of the Rhode Island economic developmentcorporation, or the designee of the director; the director of the department ofadministration, or the designee of the director; and nine (9) public membersfrom private businesses in the East Bay or from business organizations,appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. Thegovernor shall appoint the chairperson of the steering committee from among thepublic members.
(b) All public members of the steering committee as of theeffective date of this act [June 22, 2006] shall cease to be membersof the steering committee as of the effective date of this act [June 22,2006], but shall be eligible for reappointment thereafter pursuant to thissubsection. The governor shall thereupon nominate nine (9) public members:three (3) of whom shall serve initial terms of one year; three (3) of whomshall serve initial terms of two (2) years; and three (3) of whom shall serveinitial terms of three (3) years. Thereafter, all public members shall beappointed to serve three (3) year terms.
(c) Members of the steering committee shall be removable bythe governor pursuant to the provisions of § 36-1-7 of the general lawsand for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasonsunrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.
(d) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscalyear, the steering committee shall approve and submit an annual report to thegovernor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of thesenate, and the secretary of state, of its activities during that fiscal year.The report shall provide an operating statement summarizing meetings orhearings held, including meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisionsrendered, appeals considered and their disposition, rules or regulationspromulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved ormodified and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financialstatement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds,a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical,administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance duringthe previous fiscal year, including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies;a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters relatedto the authority of the steering committee; a summary of any training coursesheld pursuant to this chapter; a briefing on anticipated activities in theupcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. Thereport shall be posted electronically on the websites of the general assemblyand the secretary of state pursuant to the provisions of § 42-20-8.2. Thedirector of the department of administration shall be responsible for theenforcement of the provisions of this subsection.
(e) The steering committee shall conduct a training coursefor newly appointed and qualified members within six (6) months of theirqualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of thesteering committee, be approved by the steering committee and be conducted bythe steering committee. The steering committee may approve the use of anysteering committee and/or staff members and/or individuals to assist withtraining. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas:the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2; and the steering committee'srules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall,within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [June 22,2006], prepare and disseminate training materials relating to theprovisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2.