§ 42-64.19-3. Executive office of commerce — Secretary of housing.
(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; and
(4) On or before July 1, 2021, to provide for the hiring of a deputy secretary of commerce
and housing who shall report directly to the secretary of commerce. On July 1, 2022,
the deputy secretary of commerce and housing shall succeed to the position of secretary
of housing, and the position of deputy secretary of commerce and housing shall cease
to exist under this chapter. All references in the general laws to the deputy secretary
of commerce and housing shall be construed to mean the secretary of housing. The secretary
of housing shall be appointed by and report directly to the governor and shall assume
all powers, duties, and responsibilities formerly held by the deputy secretary of
commerce and housing. Until the formation of the new department of housing pursuant
to chapter 64.34 of this title, the secretary of housing shall reside within the executive
office of commerce for administrative purposes only.
(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
enterprises 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.
(2) [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 388, § 1 and P.L. 2022, ch. 442, § 1.]
(c) [Deleted by P.L. 2024, ch. 403, art. 1, § 9.]