Rhode Island § 42-24-1 - Commission on Uniform State Laws

§ 42-24-1. Composition of commission — Expenses.

(a) Membership. There shall be a commission on uniform state laws consisting of:

(1) Seven (7) qualified electors, including three (3) members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party;

(2) Three (3) members appointed by the president of the senate, not more than two (2) from the same political party; and

(3) The director of legislative council or the director's designee.

(b) Qualifications. Members of the commission must be attorneys who are members of a state bar, qualified to practice law. The general assembly members of the commission shall be ex officio members with full voting powers. The commission shall also consist of any qualified electors who, because of long service in the case of uniformity of state legislation, shall have been elected life members of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.

(c) Terms. Beginning on January 1, 2006, the speaker and the president shall each appoint one member to serve a term of one year, one member to serve a term of two (2) years, one member to serve a term of three (3) years. Terms shall commence with the date of appointment and expire on the 30th day of June thereafter corresponding with the number of years of the term to which appointed. Thereafter appointments shall be made for terms of three (3) years commencing on July 1 in the year of appointment and end on June 30 of the third year thereafter.

(d) Vacancies. Any vacancy in the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. Appointed members of the commission shall continue to assume the duties now performed by this commission in accordance with this chapter and such other duties as may be set forth by the governor or by act of the general assembly.

(e) Compensation. The commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their travel and necessary expenses in accordance with the rates from time to time established by the legislative department in its rules and regulations and may expend such sums of money as may be appropriated from time to time by the general assembly. Elected life members of the commission may be reimbursed for travel and necessary expenses subject to funding availability and the approval of the joint committee on legislative services.

(f) Expiration of term. Terms of current members of the commission appointed by the governor shall expire December 31, 2005.