§ 42-64.19-3. Executive office of commerce. (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.

(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 enterprise 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.

(c) The office shall include the office of regulatory reform and other administration functions which promote, enhance or regulate various service and functions in order to promote the reform and improvement of the regulatory function of the state.

History of Section. (P.L. 2013, ch. 489, § 3; P.L. 2013, ch. 492, § 3; P.L. 2014, ch. 528, § 59.)