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H7678
2026 -- H 7678
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LC005042
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON CITY AND TOWN
AFFAIRS
Introduced By:
Representatives Casey, J. Brien, McEntee, Chippendale, Shallcross
Smith, Noret, Corvese, and Speakman
Date Introduced:
February 11, 2026
Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s thirty-nine cities and towns are essential partners in the
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effective delivery of government services and the promotion of the health, safety, and welfare of
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residents; and
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WHEREAS, A structured, ongoing forum for collaboration between the General
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Assembly, the Executive Branch, and municipal leaders will enhance communication, align
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policy objectives, and strengthen Rhode Island’s overall capacity for effective public
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administration; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That a special joint legislative commission be and the same is hereby
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created consisting of nine (9) members: one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
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House; one of whom shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House; one of whom shall
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be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be appointed by the Minority
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Leader of the Senate; one of whom shall be appointed by the Governor; one of whom shall be the
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Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee; one of whom
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shall be representative of a rural municipality, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one
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of whom shall be representative of a suburban municipality, to be appointed by the President of
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the Senate; and one of whom shall be representative of an urban municipality, to be appointed by
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the Executive Director of the League of Cities and Towns.
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The purpose of said commission shall be to strengthen coordination between state and
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local government, review and recommend policies to improve municipal governance and
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intergovernmental collaboration, identify barriers that hinder municipal operations and propose
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practical solutions, provide a forum for early consultation on proposed state legislation or
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regulations with potential municipal impact, and prepare findings and policy recommendations to
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enhance municipal efficiency and public service delivery.
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Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
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the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate and shall select, from among the
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members a chairperson.
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Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
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The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
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All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
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documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or
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desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
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The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide
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suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
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General Assembly on or before December 31, 2026, and said commission shall expire on January
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31, 2027.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON CITY AND TOWN
AFFAIRS
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This resolution would create a nine (9) member Special Joint Legislative Commission on
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City and Town Affairs to strengthen coordination between state and local government and would
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report back to the General Assembly by December 31, 2026, and would expire on January 31,
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2027.
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