Creating a Special Legislative Commission to Study and Provide Recommendations to Reduce the Forty-Hour Workweek to a Thirty- Two-Hour Workweek

WHEREAS, In the United States, a full-time job typically requires a five-day, 40-hour workweek; and

WHEREAS, As technology advances and employees become more productive, the opportunity to work a 32-hour workweek has become more feasible; and

WHEREAS, A 32-hour workweek offers significant benefits, including boosting employee well-being, increasing productivity and focus, improving work-life balance, and aiding recruitment/retention; and

WHEREAS, Transitioning to a 32-hour workweek can be done through measures like initiating a trial period, coordinating shifts with colleagues and maintaining accountability by setting and tracking clear goals; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of nine (9) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the RI Hospitality Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the RI Manufacturers Association (RIMA), or designee; one of whom shall be President of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the RI AFL- CIO, or designee; and one of whom shall be a member of the general public currently employed in a forty (40) hour workweek in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House. In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator. The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and analysis of the feasibility and legal requirements necessary to implement the transition of the forty-hour workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek in the State of Rhode Island. The recommendations would be based, but not limited to, the following requirements:

(1) Maintaining accountability for job performance;

(2) The definition of a full-time employee;

(3) No reduction in the rate of weekly wages resulting from the reduction of hours;

(4) Compensation for hours/days/overtime worked in excess of thirty-two hours;

(5) Businesses required to participate in a thirty-two-hour workweek; and

(6) Consideration and definition of what constitutes the time that would be included as part of a thirty-two-hour workweek. Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson from among the Legislators. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment. The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services. All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution. The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives no later than March 15, 2027, and said commission shall expire on June 15, 2027. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HOUSERESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE THE FORTY-HOUR WORKWEEK TO A THIRTY- TWO-HOUR WORKWEEK *** This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative study commission whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations to reduce the forty-hour workweek to a thirty-two-hour workweek, and who would report back to the House no later than March 15, 2027, and would expire on June 15, 2027.