§ 42-125-6. Powers and duties. The council has the following powers:

(1) To be entitled to ask for and receive from any commission, board, officer or agency of the state any information, cooperation, assistance, and advice as shall be reasonable and proper in view of the nature of the council's functions;

(2) To assess and evaluate the current programs and policies of the state as they relate to the creation and maintenance of systems of greenways throughout the state and to make recommendations regarding the coordination of activities within state government to create and maintain systems of greenways as part of the state's twenty-first century infrastructure;

(3) To make any recommendations that may be necessary to the state planning council to maintain a greenways element of the state guide plan as described in § 42-11-10;

(4) To make recommendations to the chief executive officer of the Rhode Island commerce corporation regarding the inclusion of greenways in programs to promote tourism and encourage the location and development of recreational facilities;

(5) To make recommendations to the director of the department of environmental management regarding the inclusion of greenways in (1) the department's cooperation with the Rhode Island commerce corporation in planning and promotional functions relating to recreation as provided for in § 42-17.1-2(6), and (2) the department's general functions relating to parks and recreation, preservation of wetlands and habitat, and planning and development as provided for in § 42-17.1-4;

(6) To make recommendations to the director of the department of transportation regarding the inclusion of greenways in plans and implementation programs for transportation as provided for in § 42-13-1;

(7) To provide advice and assistance to political subdivisions, businesses, citizen groups, and nonprofit organizations regarding the creation and maintenance of greenways;

(8) To foster public involvement in greenways planning and development;

(9) To apply for, contract for, and expend federal and other grants or assistance, appropriate to the purposes of this chapter, and

(10) To approve and submit an annual report within ninety (90) days after the end of the fiscal year to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, studies conducted, policies developed, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement 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 during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis of any legal matters related to the authority of the council; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to subsection 42-125-6(11), a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of this provision.

(11) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members and new designees of ex officio members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the council, approved by the council, and conducted by the chair of the council. The council may approve the use of any council or staff members of other individuals to assist with training. The course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapter 42-125; § 42-11-10; subsections 42-17.1-2(6), and (2); § 42-17.1-4; § 42-13-1; chapter 42-46; chapter 36-14; chapter 38-2; and the council's operating procedures. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of May 3, 2006, prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2.

History of Section. (P.L. 1995, ch. 162, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 22, § 6; P.L. 2006, ch. 27, § 6; P.L. 2006, ch. 216, § 56; P.L. 2008, ch. 475, § 25.)