§ 28-21-21. Permanent commission on hazardous substances in the workplace. (a) There is created a permanent commission on hazardous substances in the workplace whose purpose it shall be to oversee and study the implementation of this chapter and to advise the general assembly with respect to methods of improving the purpose of this chapter. The commission shall annually submit its report to the general assembly not later than January 15 of each year.

(b) The commission shall consist of seventeen (17) members, three (3) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than two (2) of whom shall be from the same political party, to be appointed by the speaker to serve for their legislative term; two (2) of whom shall be from the senate, one from each political party, to be appointed by the president of the senate to serve for his or her legislative term; two (2) representatives of labor, two (2) representatives of business, one member from the department of health, one member from the department of labor and training, four (4) members from the public, one member from the medical profession, and one member from the jewelry industry, all of whom shall be appointed by the speaker, to serve for terms of three (3) years.

(c) During the month of February every year, the speaker shall appoint a member to succeed the members whose term will then next expire, to serve for a term of three (3) years commencing on the first day of March then next following, and until his successor is appointed and qualified.

(d) A member shall be eligible to succeed himself or herself.

(e) A vacancy, other than by expiration, shall be filled in like manner as an original appointment, but only for the unexpired portion of the term.

(f) The speaker shall select a chairperson from among the membership of the commission to serve at the pleasure of the speaker.

(g) The membership of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

(h) All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to the commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this section.

(i) The speaker of the house is authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for the commission.

History of Section. (P.L. 1983, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 441, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 105, § 10; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 60.)