Creating a Special Joint Legislative Commission on City and Town Affairs

WHEREAS, Rhode Island's thirty-nine (39) cities and towns are essential partners in the effective delivery of government services and the promotion of the health, safety, and welfare of residents; and

WHEREAS, Municipalities face diverse challenges based on population, geography, infrastructure, and local resources, which require consistent coordination with the State of Rhode Island to ensure efficient governance and equitable service delivery; and

WHEREAS, A structured, ongoing forum for collaboration between the General Assembly, the Executive Branch, and municipal leaders will enhance communication, align policy objectives, and strengthen Rhode Island's overall capacity for effective public administration; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That a special joint legislative commission on City and Town Affairs be and the same is hereby created consisting of nine (9) members: one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; one member appointed by the President of the Senate; one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; one representative from the Office of the Governor appointed by the Governor; executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee; one representative from a rural municipality appointed by the Governor; one representative from a suburban municipality appointed by the Governor; and one representative from an urban municipality appointed by the League of Cities and Towns. The purpose of said commission shall be to strengthen coordination between state and local government, review and recommend policies to improve municipal governance and intergovernmental collaboration, identify barriers that hinder municipal operations and propose practical solutions, provide a forum for early consultation on proposed state legislation or regulations with potential municipal impact, and prepare findings and policy recommendations to enhance municipal efficiency and public service delivery. Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate and shall select, from among the legislative members co-chairpersons. 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 General Assembly no later than December 31, 2026, and said commission shall expire on January 31, 2027. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON CITY AND TOWN AFFAIRS *** This resolution would create a nine (9) member Special Joint Legislative Commission on City and Town Affairs whose purpose of the commission would be to strengthen coordination between state and local government, review and recommend policies to improve municipal governance and intergovernmental collaboration, identify barriers that hinder municipal operations and propose practical solutions, provide a forum for early consultation on proposed state legislation or regulations with potential municipal impact, and prepare findings and policy recommendations to enhance municipal efficiency and public service delivery. The commission would meet at the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, select co- chairpersons from among the legislators, and submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2026. The commission would expire on January 31, 2027.