The bill amends several sections of Chapter 16-32 of the General Laws, which governs the University of Rhode Island, by establishing a Board of Trustees as a public corporation with expanded authority. This board will manage university property, enter into contracts, and oversee employment matters, while also being designated as the employer of record for university staff. The board is empowered to create its own procurement rules, exempting it from certain state purchasing laws, and is designated to have a chief purchasing officer.

Additionally, the bill introduces a framework for tort claims against the Board of Trustees, detailing liability limitations and the procedures for filing claims. It specifies that the board is liable for injuries caused by its employees during their employment, with exceptions for fraud, malice, or willful misconduct, and sets caps on recoverable damages, including a limit of $100,000. The bill also clarifies that any waiver of immunity and assumption of liability will not apply if another party has assumed liability, while ensuring that existing workers' compensation laws remain unchanged.

Furthermore, the act provides for the establishment of a landscaping fund and allows the university to create its own internal audit functions and controls. It streamlines the financing process for the university by allowing the Board of Trustees to enter into financing arrangements without prior approval from the general assembly under certain conditions, thereby enhancing the operational autonomy of the University of Rhode Island. This act would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5747: 35-18-3