The bill presented is an act to validate and ratify amendments to the Home Rule Charter of the town of Coventry, which were adopted and approved by the town's electors on November 8, 2022. The General Assembly's intent is to confirm and enact those provisions of the amendments that require legislative approval. The act ensures that this ratification does not interfere with the powers granted to towns by the home rule amendment and other applicable laws of the State of Rhode Island or the rights retained by the town of Coventry in its home rule charter. Additionally, the act includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will still be in effect.
The act also amends Section 16-2-5 of the General Laws, which pertains to the composition and election of city or town school committees. The insertion specifies that the school committee of each city or town shall consist of three residents or any number that currently constitutes the committee. It outlines the terms of office for members in cities or towns with annual or biennial elections and the process for filling vacancies. Notably, the amendment includes a deletion and insertion that changes the text from "Town" to "towns" and adds Coventry to the list of towns exempt from the provisions of this section, alongside North Smithfield and the cities of Providence, Central Falls, and Woonsocket. The act is set to take effect upon passage.
Statutes affected: 1031: 16-2-5