R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-75-4: Terms of members.

The term of office of each member shall be three (3) years. On June 1, 1967, the governor shall appoint three (3) members to serve until the first day of March, 1968, three (3) members to serve until the first day of March, 1969, and three (3) members to serve until the first day of March, 1970 and until their respective successors shall be appointed and qualified. In the month of February, 1968, and in each year thereafter, the governor shall appoint three (3) members to hold office until the first day of March in the third year after their appointment and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. Upon May 2, 1974, the governor shall appoint three (3) additional members to the existing council to serve until the first day of March 1976, and until their respective successors shall be appointed and qualified. Thereafter in the month of February of any succeeding year, the governor shall appoint four (4) members to hold office until the first day of March in the third year after their appointment and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. Any vacancy which may occur in the commission shall be filled by the governor for the remainder of the unexpired term. Any member of the commission shall be eligible to succeed him or herself for one full term, but shall not thereafter be eligible for reappointment during a one-year period following the expiration of his or her second term.