R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-16.1-9: Organization of board — Restrictions on members — Removal.

The representative of the public shall be chairperson of the board of review. No hearing shall proceed in the absence of the chairperson of the board of review and the chairperson shall act alone in the absence of any other member. In the absence of the chairperson for more than thirty (30) days, or in cases where the chairperson may not sit by law, the chief referee may serve as acting chairperson of the board of review; provided, however, that the acting chairperson shall act only in the presence of the other two (2) members. No member of the board of review shall, during the member’s term of office, serve as any officer or committee member of any political party organization, or as a member of the general assembly. The governor may at any time, after public hearing, remove any member of the board of review for gross inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office.