{"data":{"id":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-42-155-2","jurisdiction":"us-ri","citation":"R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-155-2","heading":"Legislative findings.","body":"It is hereby found that:\n(1) Quasi-public corporations are established and empowered by state law, and would not exist but for their relationship with the state.\n(2) Quasi-public corporations perform essential government functions and/or provide essential government services.\n(3) Many quasi-public corporations are granted the public power to collect fees and/or generate other revenue and incur debt.\n(4) Quasi-public corporations manage significant public resources; however, the majority are exempt from many kinds of public oversight, such as executive and legislative budgetary review required of state agencies and departments.\n(5) It is essential that quasi-public corporations provide more, not less, transparency by making their decisions and budgets especially transparent and open to public scrutiny, and by demonstrating a commitment to protecting the interests of Rhode Island taxpayers by achieving the highest standards of transparent, effective, and ethical operation.\n(6) Quasi-public corporations are governed by independent boards that serve a critical oversight function and there exists a need to strengthen the ability of board members to carry out this oversight role.\n(7) Rhode Island citizens rely on their government to provide oversight of quasi-public corporations, with a goal of ensuring that these state entities carry out their government missions effectively, and exemplify a commitment to transparent, accountable, and effective government.\n(8) The general assembly has made comprehensive amendments to the Rhode Island commerce corporation’s enabling legislation to enhance transparency and accountability; provide board members with additional tools to exercise crucial oversight; establish increased reporting requirements; and establish regularly scheduled audits of the corporation. All Rhode Island quasi-public corporations should be held to these higher standards of transparency and accountability.","path":["Title 42 State Affairs and Government","Chapter 155 Quasi-Public Corporations Accountability and Transparency Act"],"source_url":"https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE42/42-155/42-155-2.htm","current_through":"site files published 2025-08-13","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T20:00:14Z","sha256":"e78fbf9c45bcfd448893077e7f8c68e99e0c14f31ff7d97446ba01002127c3a4","source_id":"us-ri","stale":true,"prev":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-42-155-1","next":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-42-155-3"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}