To establish a defined set of procedures for the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation for the conduct of Public Hearings.

This regulation is promulgated pursuant to the authority granted in R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2(a)(4).

A. For the Purpose of this regulation:

1. "Corporation" means Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

2. “Person” means any individual, firm, business, corporation, association, partnership or other group.

3. “Presiding official” means the agent of the Corporation conducting the Public Hearing.

4. "Public hearing" means the convening of persons and Corporation personnel for the purpose of obtaining public comment on a matter inclusive of Proposed Rulemaking.

5. “Proposed rulemaking” means a proposed new rule, proposed amendment to a rule or proposed repeal of a rule as noticed pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.7.

A. Convening of Public Hearing

1. Public Hearings may be held at the election of the Corporation or as required by applicable law.

2. Notice of Public Hearings shall be issued in accordance with applicable law.

3. The Public Hearing shall be held at a time and place designated by the Corporation.

B. Transcription

1. The Public Hearing shall be transcribed by a stenographer or audio recorded (if required by law or at the discretion of the Presiding Official).

2. For Public Hearings involving Proposed Rulemaking, any official transcript, recording, or memorandum summarizing presentations prepared by the Presiding Official shall be made part of any rulemaking record in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.3(b)(5).

C. Testimony

1. Oral Testimony

a. A Person may make oral testimony during a Public Hearing.

b. A Person who wishes to make oral testimony during a Public Hearing must put their name on the speaker list.

c. A Person who has put their name on the speaker list for the Public Hearing will be called to testify in the order in which their name appears on the speaker list.

2. Written Testimony

a. Written testimony must be submitted to Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Attn: Rules Coordinator, 315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101, Providence, RI 02908, via mail, overnight carrier or in hand delivery to a representative of the Corporation at the foregoing address, with a copy sent via email to [email protected].

D. Disruptive Conduct

1. Persons attending the Public Hearing shall not cause disruptions, including but not limited to: screaming, loud noises, and disorderly gesticulations, which interrupt or distract from the testimony of other Persons or from the ability of the Presiding Official to conduct the Public Hearing.

2. The Presiding Official may have any disruptive Person removed from a Public Hearing or take such other action as the Presiding Official deems appropriate under the circumstances with respect to any disruption of the Public Hearing by any person including, delaying, rescheduling or cancelling the Public Hearing.