Senate OKs bill for CRMC compliance

PROVIDENCE – The Senate last week approved legislation that would change the composition of the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council to comply with the separation-of-powers constitutional amendment.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, D-South Kingstown, would decrease the membership from 16 to 12 members and allow municipal-appointed members who no longer hold their elected or appointed positions to continue to serve on the council. It would also increase the governor’s appointments from the general public from three to seven.
The bill eliminates the requirement that the governor appoint three members from lists submitted by the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, Rhode Island Sea Grants Program and the city with the largest coastline. It also removes language stating that the members of the Senate and House must serve on the council.
The bill now moves to the House. &#8226