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Rhode Island General Laws 42-64.8-2. Legislative findings

     

(a)  It is found and declared that Rhode Island’s urban centers serve as centers of economic activity and offer a wide range of cultural and architectural assets; that these and other assets continue to contribute greatly to the economic and cultural prosperity of the state’s urban centers, the greater metropolitan area, and the state as a whole.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-64.8-2

  • Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.

(b)  It is further found that as cities age they often experience deteriorating infrastructure and increasing effective tax rates, adversely impacting their ability to retain and attract business; that the economic future of the suburbs, metropolitan areas, and the state as a whole, rests on the overall health of the urban areas; and that continued urban decay further threatens Rhode Island’s economic assets.

(c)  It is further found that creation of an urban renaissance fund is needed to leverage private investment by providing resources for activities to improve the urban infrastructure from activities including assessment of abandoned industrial sites to enhance marketability, brownfield projects, urban land assembly and demolition of vacant and abandoned properties, waterside and streetscape improvement, neighborhood and community “anchor” development and transportation related projects.

(d)  It is further found and declared that because Rhode Island’s urban communities are unable to sufficiently invest in local infrastructure supporting statewide economic activities, the state should play a central role in developing and supporting a targeted urban infrastructure program.

(e)  The purpose of this chapter is to create a state urban infrastructure commission (UIC) to develop a Rhode Island urban renaissance fund.

History of Section.
P.L. 2003, ch. 100, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 236, § 1.

Rhode Island General Laws 42-64-8.2. Role and responsibilities of board members

     

(a)  Board members of the corporation shall:

(1)  Execute direct oversight of the corporation in the effective and ethical management of the corporation;

(2)  Understand, review, and monitor the implementation of fundamental financial and management controls and operational decisions of the corporation;

(3)  Adopt a code of ethics applicable to each officer, director and employee of the corporation that, at a minimum, includes the standards established in chapter 36-14 (“Code of Ethics”);

(4)  Adopt a mission statement expressing the purpose and goals of the corporation, a description of the stakeholders of the corporation and their reasonable expectations from the corporation;

(5)  Adopt and periodically update an indemnification policy which shall be set forth in the bylaws of the corporation; and

(6)  Perform each of their duties as board members, including, but not limited to, those imposed by this section, in good faith and with that degree of diligence, care, and skill which an ordinarily prudent person in like position would use under similar circumstances and ultimately apply independent judgment in the best interest of the corporation, its mission, and the public.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-64-8.2

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Director: means the executive director of the economic development corporation until such time that the secretary of commerce is appointed. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-64-3
  • Indemnification: In general, a collateral contract or assurance under which one person agrees to secure another person against either anticipated financial losses or potential adverse legal consequences. Source: FDIC
  • Oversight: Committee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • State: means the state of Rhode Island. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-64-3
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

(b)  Board members of the corporation shall establish and maintain written policies and procedures for the following:

(1)  Internal accounting and administrative controls in accordance with the provisions of chapter 35-20 (“Public Corporation Financial Integrity and Accountability Act of 1995″);

(2)  Travel, including lodging, meals, and incidental expenses, provided that no reimbursement shall exceed the allowable state employee reimbursement amount per day;

(3)  Charitable and civic donations and/or contributions; provided, however, that all such donations or contributions shall be voted by the full board during an open meeting and the vote shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting, together with:

(i)  The citation to the specific state statute authorizing the action;

(ii)  An explanation of how the donation or contribution relates to the mission of the corporation;

(iii)  The identity of any board member or employee of the corporation that will receive any benefit from the donation or contribution;

(iv)  Any disclosure required by chapter 36-14 (“Code of Ethics”); and

(v)  Each such donation or contribution shall be clearly identified in the financial statements of the corporation.

(4)  Credit card use, provided, that pursuant to § 35-20-10, no credit card shall be used for personal use;

(5)  Employee reimbursement, including requests by management for business expenses, and expenses classified as gifts or entertainment;

(6)  Personnel, including hiring, dismissing, promoting, and compensating employees of the corporation, and provided that no employee of the corporation shall be compensated for sick, vacation, or other leave time to an extent greater than state employees;

(7)  Severance pay;

(8)  Marketing expenses; and

(9)  Lobbyists’ expenses.

(c)  The written policies and procedures required by this section and any additional written policies and procedures that the board may adopt shall be approved by the board during an open meeting and the vote shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

History of Section.
P.L. 2013, ch. 243, § 5; P.L. 2013, ch. 490, § 5.