Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce
| Rhode Island Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Term limits: | Serves at the pleasure of the governor |
| Structure | |
| Authority: | Rhode Island general laws, § 42-64.19-2, § 42-64.19-4 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed |
| Current Officeholder | |
Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce
Elizabeth M. Tanner | |
| Other Rhode Island Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce is an appointed executive position in the Rhode Island state government. The secretary is the head of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which is responsible for the promotion of commerce and the economy within Rhode Island.
Current officeholder
The current Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce is Elizabeth M. Tanner (nonpartisan). Tanner assumed office in 2022.
Authority
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, with the secretary of commerce as its head, is established by under title 42 of the Rhode Island general laws:
§ 42-64.19-2
| The Rhode Island executive office of commerce is authorized, created, and established as the state’s lead agency for economic development throughout Rhode Island for the following purposes: To promote and encourage the preservation, expansion, and sound development of new and existing industry, business, commerce, agriculture, tourism, and recreational facilities in the state, which will promote the economic development of the state and the creation of opportunities for economic stability and employment through a business climate that fosters opportunity for all Rhode Islanders.[1] |
§ 42-64.19-4
| The executive office of commerce shall be administered by a secretary of commerce, hereafter referred to as “secretary.” The position of secretary is hereby created in the unclassified service. The secretary shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The secretary shall hold office at the pleasure of the governor and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Before entering upon the discharge of duties, the secretary shall take an oath to faithfully execute the duties of the office. The secretary shall be appointed by February 1, 2015.[2] |
Qualifications
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Appointments
The secretary is appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate.[3]
Term limits
The secretary serves at the pleasure of the governor.[3]
Duties
The duties of the secretary are outlined in Title 42 of the Rhode Island general laws:
- Supervising the executive office of commerce
- Improving the functions and operations of Rhode Island state government to be clear, reliable, predictable, and as responsive and user-friendly to the state’s business community as is practicable
- Managing and providing strategic leadership and direction to the other divisions and departments under the jurisdiction of this chapter
- Serving as the chief executive officer of the Rhode Island commerce corporation
- Convening the economic development planning council to develop the economic development policy and strategic plan in accordance with section 42-64.16
- Serving as chair of the council of economic advisors in accordance with section 42-64.17
- Serving as vice-chair of the Human Resources Investment Council
- Chairing the Governor’s Commerce and Workforce Cabinet established pursuant to section 42-6.1.[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2024
In 2024, the secretary's salary was $224,653.00, according to the RI State Employee Payroll Search.[5]
Contact information
Rhode Island Executive Office of Commerce
317 Iron Horse Way, Building #58, Ste. 203
Providence, RI, 02908
Phone: (401)222-8288
See also
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External links
- Rhode Island Executive Office of Commerce
- Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 64.19 Executive Office of Commerce
Footnotes
- ↑ R.I. General Laws, "R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64.19-2," accessed June 6, 2024
- ↑ R.I. General Laws, "R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64.19-4," accessed June 6, 2024
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 R.I. General Laws, "R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64.19-4," accessed June 6, 2024
- ↑ R.I. General Laws, "R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64.19-5," accessed June 6, 2024
- ↑ State of Rhode Island, "RI State Employee Payroll Search," accessed June 6, 2024
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