JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON CITY AND TOWN AFFAIRS (Establishes a joint legislative commission on city and town affairs.)

S3162

2026 -- S 3162
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LC006209
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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:
Senators Bissaillon, and Urso

Date Introduced:
March 27, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Housing & Municipal Government
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island's thirty-nine (39) 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, Municipalities face diverse challenges based on population, geography,
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infrastructure, and local resources, which require consistent coordination with the State of Rhode
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Island to ensure efficient governance and equitable service delivery; 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 on City and Town Affairs be
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and the same is hereby created consisting of nine (9) members: one member appointed by the
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Speaker of the House of Representatives; one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
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House of Representatives; one member appointed by the President of the Senate; one member
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appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; one representative from the Office of the
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Governor appointed by the Governor; executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and
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Towns, or designee; one representative from a rural municipality appointed by the Governor; one
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representative from a suburban municipality appointed by the Governor; and one representative
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from an urban municipality appointed by 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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legislative members co-chairpersons.
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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. The Speaker of the
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House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for said commission; and be
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it further
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RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
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General Assembly no later than 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 whose purpose of the commission would be to strengthen coordination
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between state and local government, review and recommend policies to improve municipal
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governance and intergovernmental collaboration, identify barriers that hinder municipal
5
operations and propose practical solutions, provide a forum for early consultation on proposed
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state legislation or regulations with potential municipal impact, and prepare findings and policy
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recommendations to enhance municipal efficiency and public service delivery. The commission
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would meet at the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, select co-
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chairpersons from among the legislators, and submit a written report of its findings and
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recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2026. The commission
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would expire on January 31, 2027.
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LC006209
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LC006209 - Page 3 of 3