(a)  There shall be established an advisory council on environmental affairs consisting of sixteen (16) members who shall be appointed by the governor. It shall be the responsibility of the council to advise the governor, the environmental standards board and the director on matters involving environmental management and natural resources. The respective chairpersons of the solid waste management council, the coastal resources management council, the water resources board, the joint committee on environment of the general assembly and the chief of the statewide planning program shall be ex officio members.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-17.1-6

  • Ex officio: Literally, by virtue of one's office.
  • Joint committee: Committees including membership from both houses of teh legislature. Joint committees are usually established with narrow jurisdictions and normally lack authority to report legislation.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.

(b)(1)  The governor shall appoint at least one member to represent local conservation commissions, one member representing established environmental action groups within the state, one member representing hunting or sports fishing groups, one member representing the commercial fisheries industry, and one member representing agriculture. The remaining six (6) members shall be appointed from the general public having regard, among other factors, to their qualifications, experience, and interest in some one or more aspects of natural resources and environmental management and public or environmental health.

(2)  When this chapter shall take effect, the governor shall appoint three (3) members of the council to serve until the first day of March, 1978, four (4) members to serve until the first of March, 1979, and four (4) members to serve until the first day of March, 1980, and all to serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. In the month of February, 1978, and in the month of February in each year thereafter, the governor shall appoint successors to the members of the council whose terms shall expire in such year, to hold office commencing on the first day of March in said years for a two (2) year term and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified.

(3)  Any vacancy which may occur in the council shall be filled by the governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(c)  The members of the council shall meet initially at the call of the governor and shall at their first meeting elect a chairperson, a secretary, and any other officers which they may find necessary. Thereafter, the council shall meet at least quarterly. The council shall make suggestions to and shall advise the governor, the environmental standards board, and the director of the department concerning the policies, plans, and goals of the department and concerning the problems of the state within the scope of the functions of the department and shall, at least as often as annually and not later than January 15 of each year, make recommendations as to the policies, objectives, and programs of the department, such recommendations to be submitted to the governor, the general assembly, and the department.

(d)  The director of the department of environmental management shall provide appropriate staff and clerical support to the council.

History of Section.
G.L. 1956, § 42-17.1-6; P.L. 1965, ch. 137, § 1; P.L. 1977, ch. 182, § 2; P.L. 1979, ch. 24, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 340, § 19.