Title 42, Title 42 Affairs and Government

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) “Adjusted current employment” means, for any taxable year ending on or after January 1, 2012, the aggregate of the average daily number of full-time equivalent active employees employed within the state …

(a) The I-195 redevelopment district is hereby constituted as an independent public instrumentality and body corporate and politic for the purposes set forth in this chapter with a separate legal existence from the city of Providence and from the state and the exercise by the com…

(a) The powers of the district to achieve the purposes of this chapter shall be exercised by a commission as herein provided: The I-195 redevelopment district commission shall consist of seven (7) voting members. The governor of the State of Rhode Island shall appoint, with the a…

The commission shall have all the rights and powers reasonably necessary to carry out and effectuate this chapter, including, but not limited to, the rights and powers: (1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend, in its corporate name. (2) To have a seal that may be altered at p…

In addition to the powers of the commission otherwise provided herein, the commission shall have the powers set forth below and shall be subject to the limitations herein set forth. Except as may be expressly limited by action of the commission at a regular or special meeting, th…

(a) There shall be established a life sciences jobs incentive program which shall be administered by the I-195 redevelopment commission. The purpose of the program shall be to promote life sciences-related employment opportunities in the I-195 redevelopment district and to encour…

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “Made in Rhode Island Manufacturing Collaborative of 2013.”

The general assembly hereby finds that there is an increasing trend among Americans to buy local and that there are currently insufficient resources and information necessary to support, encourage, and foster consumer product awareness and purchases of locally manufactured produc…

When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) “Collaborative” means “Made in Rhode Island Manufacturing Collaborative of 2013” established under § 42-64.15-4. (2) “Creative sector” means innovative art and design based businesses that prima…

(a) There is hereby created a collaborative known as “Made in Rhode Island Manufacturing Collaborative” consisting of nine (9) members as follows: (1) The chief executive officer of the commerce corporation, or the chief executive officer’s designee, who shall serve as chair; (2)…

The collaborative shall support and work collectively with the Rhode Island manufacturing and creative community to promote the marketing and sustainability of Rhode Island products, including, but not limited to: (1) Designate, in collaboration with the advisory council establis…

(a) There is hereby established an advisory council to the Rhode Island “Made in Rhode Island Manufacturing Collaborative” which shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the chief executive officer of the commerce corporation as follows: (1) A manufacturer of locally manufa…

The collaborative shall provide a report of its findings and recommendations addressing the research, marketing, expansion, and funding opportunities for “Made in Rhode Island” branding of locally manufactured products to the governor and general assembly by April 30, 2014. There…

(a) The Rhode Island commerce corporation may promulgate rules and regulations to fulfill the purposes of this chapter in accordance with chapter 35 of this title, “The Administrative Procedures Act.” (b) The collaborative and advisory council shall be subject to the provisions o…

(a) There is hereby established the Innovate Rhode Island Small Business Incentive Program SBIR/STTR to be administered by the Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC). In order to foster job creation and economic development in the state, STAC may provide gran…

(a) There is established the Rhode Island SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program to be administered by STAC. In order to foster job creation and economic development in the state, STAC may provide grants to eligible businesses to match funds received by a business as a SBIR or STTR Pha…

(a) There is hereby established the Innovate Rhode Island Bioscience & Engineering Internship Program to be administered by STAC. In order to promote workforce development and education in the bioscience and engineering fields and enhance the talent pipeline for Rhode Island busi…

STAC shall develop guidelines related to the administration of the programs established by this chapter. At least twenty (20) days before the effective date of any guidelines or nontechnical amendments to guidelines, STAC must publish the proposed guidelines on STAC website and p…

(a) Establishment. The Innovate Rhode Island Small Business Account is hereby established as a special revenue fund in STAC. (b) Purpose. The Innovate Rhode Island Small Business Account (“IRISBA”) shall be used for the Rhode Island SBIR/STTR Incentive Program, the Rhode Island S…

STAC shall publish a report on the use of funds in the Innovate Rhode Island Small Business Account (“IRISBA”) at the end of each fiscal quarter. The report shall contain information on the commitment, disbursement, and use of funds allocated under the (IRISBA). The report is due…

(a) The economic development corporation and the division of planning shall develop a written long-term economic development vision and policy for the state of Rhode Island and a strategic plan for implementing this policy. Such a plan shall include, but not be limited to: (1) A …

There is hereby established a council of economic advisors who shall consist of the following nine (9) members appointed by the governor: (1) The following shall be ex-officio members: (i)(A) The executive director of the economic development corporation until such time that the …

The council shall: (1) Be a collection point of data and information on the economy of Rhode Island; (2) Advise on economic policy for the governor, the executive office of commerce, and the state; (3) Prepare economic policy analysis on specific issues such as tax credits, tax e…

(a) The members of the council shall be appointed by the governor for terms of no longer than three (3) years and may be reappointed. The executive director of the economic development corporation shall be the chairperson until such time that the secretary of commerce is appointe…

All departments, offices, boards, and agencies of the state shall cooperate with the council of economic advisors and furnish such administrative and staff support, advice, information, documents and otherwise, data and data analysis and other support as may be necessary or desir…

In carrying out the responsibility under this chapter, the council may: (1) Accept grant funds and in-kind contributions from governmental and private entities; (2) Conduct hearings; (3) Invite academic experts and other witnesses to submit testimony; and (4) Contract with expert…

In addition to any other applicable law, rules or regulations, the council of economic advisors shall be subject to the provisions of the open meetings act as set forth in chapter 46 of this title, and the access to public records act as set forth in chapter 2 of title 38.

The purpose of this chapter is to develop an integrated system of economic development activities while preserving and protecting the safety and quality of life for the citizens of Rhode Island and to promote the economic viability of the Rhode Island economy, and ensure the effi…

The executive office of commerce shall be deemed an agency for purposes of § 42-35-1 et seq. The secretary shall make and promulgate such rules and regulations, fee schedules not inconsistent with state law and fiscal policies and procedures as the secretary deems necessary for t…

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the…

As may be appropriate from time to time, the departments and other agencies of the state of the executive branch that have not been assigned to the executive office of commerce under this chapter shall assist and cooperate with the executive office as may be required by the gover…

The Rhode Island executive office of commerce is authorized, created, and established as the state’s lead agency for economic development throughout Rhode Island for the following purposes: To promote and encourage the preservation, expansion, and sound development of new and exi…

(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 t…

The executive office of commerce shall be administered by a secretary of commerce, hereafter referred to as “secretary.” The position of secretary is hereby created in the unclassified service. The secretary shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the se…

(a) The secretary shall be responsible to the governor for supervising the executive office of commerce, improving the functions and operations of Rhode Island state government to be clear, reliable, predictable, and as responsive and user-friendly to the state’s business communi…

The secretary shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the governor for the oversight, coordination, and cohesive direction of state economic development activities of the state and in ensuring the laws are faithfully executed, notwithstanding any law to the contrary.…

(a) The departments and/or divisions assigned to the secretary shall: (1) Exercise their respective powers and duties in accordance with their statutory authority and the general policy established by the governor or by the secretary acting on behalf of the governor or in accorda…

The secretary, subject to the provisions of applicable state law, shall be the appointing authority for all employees of the executive office of commerce. The secretary may assign this function to such subordinate officers and employees of the executive office as may to the secre…

The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as it may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter. The state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of such s…

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit Act.”

No credits shall be authorized to be reserved pursuant to this chapter after December 31, 2026.

(a) It is hereby found and declared that due to long-term and short-term stagnant or declining economic trends in Rhode Island, businesses in the state have found it difficult to make investments that would stimulate economic activity and create new jobs for the citizens of the s…

As used in this chapter: (1) “Adaptive reuse” means the conversion of an existing structure from the use for which it was constructed to a new use by maintaining elements of the structure and adapting such elements to a new use. (2) “Affiliate” means an entity that directly or in…

The rebuild Rhode Island tax credit program is hereby established as a program under the jurisdiction and administration of the commerce corporation. The program may provide tax credits to applicants meeting the requirements of this chapter for an eligibility period of five (5) y…

(a) An applicant meeting the requirements of this chapter may be allowed a credit as set forth hereinafter against taxes imposed upon such person under applicable provisions of title 44 of the general laws for a qualified development project. (b) To be eligible as a qualified dev…

(a) To obtain the tax credit authorized in this chapter, applicants shall apply to the commerce corporation board for approval of a qualified development project for credits under this chapter. Such approval shall at a minimum require: (1) That the applicant has submitted a compl…