TITLE 42
State Affairs and Government
CHAPTER 42-64.19
Executive Office of Commerce
SECTION 42-64.19-3
§ 42-64.19-3 Executive office of commerce.
(a) There is hereby established within the executive branch of state government
an executive office of commerce effective February 1, 2015, to serve as the
principal agency of the executive branch of state government for managing the
promotion of commerce and the economy within the state and shall have the
following powers and duties in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) On or about February 1, 2015, to operate functions from
the department of business regulation;
(2) On or about April 1, 2015, to operate various divisions
and functions from the department of administration;
(3) On or before September 1, 2015, to provide to the Senate
and the House of Representatives a comprehensive study and review of the roles,
functions, and programs of the department of administration and the department
of labor and training to devise recommendations and a business plan for the
integration of these entities with the office of the secretary of commerce. The
governor may include such recommendations in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget
proposal.
(b) In this capacity, the office shall:
(1) Lead or assist state departments and coordinate business
permitting processes in order to:
(i) Improve the economy, efficiency, coordination, and
quality of the business climate in the state;
(ii) Design strategies and implement best practices that
foster economic development and growth of the state's economy;
(iii) Maximize and leverage funds from all available public
and private sources, including federal financial participation, grants and
awards;
(iv) Increase public confidence by conducting customer
centric operations whereby commercial enterprise are supported and provided
programs and services that will grow and nurture the Rhode Island economy; and
(v) Be the state's lead agency for economic development.
(c) The office shall include the office of regulatory reform
and other administration functions which promote, enhance or regulate various
service and functions in order to promote the reform and improvement of the
regulatory function of the state.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2013, ch. 489, § 3; P.L. 2013, ch. 492, § 3; P.L. 2014, ch.
528, § 59.)
