§ 42-126-5. Creation of the steering committee. (a) The East Bay Economic Initiative's activities shall be governed by a steering committee, which shall serve as its board of directors, and shall have the following membership: the director of the Rhode Island economic development corporation, or the designee of the director; the director of the department of administration, or the designee of the director; and nine (9) public members from private businesses in the East Bay or from business organizations, appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. The governor shall appoint the chairperson of the steering committee from among the public members.

(b) All public members of the steering committee as of the effective date of this act [June 22, 2006] shall cease to be members of the steering committee as of the effective date of this act [June 22, 2006], but shall be eligible for reappointment thereafter pursuant to this subsection. The governor shall thereupon nominate nine (9) public members: three (3) of whom shall serve initial terms of one year; three (3) of whom shall serve initial terms of two (2) years; and three (3) of whom shall serve initial terms of three (3) years. Thereafter, all public members shall be appointed to serve three (3) year terms.

(c) Members of the steering committee shall be removable by the governor pursuant to the provisions of § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.

(d) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the steering committee shall approve and submit an annual report 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, appeals considered and their disposition, rules or regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved or modified 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 hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the authority of the steering committee; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to this chapter; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the websites of the general assembly and the secretary of state pursuant to the provisions of § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection.

(e) The steering committee shall conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the steering committee, be approved by the steering committee and be conducted by the steering committee. The steering committee may approve the use of any steering committee and/or staff members and/or individuals to assist with training. 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's rules 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 the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2.

History of Section. (P.L. 1996, ch. 208, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 134; P.L. 2006, ch. 160, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 185, § 1.)