Rhode Island General Laws Title 36. Public Officers and Employees § 36-14-14. Removal powers of the commission

(a) The commission is hereby empowered to remove from office any state or municipal elected official or any state or municipal appointed official not subject to impeachment in accordance with the provisions of subsections (b) through (d) of this section.

(b) Any state or municipal elected official and any state or municipal appointed official not subject to impeachment may be removed from office if:

(c) If it determines that such a violation has been committed, it shall conduct a hearing at which the executive director of the commission or his or her designee and the respondent or his or her counsel shall be permitted to pursue additional evidence and arguments relevant to (i) the presence or absence of the specific intent required by subsection (b)(2) of this section as a prerequisite to removal of an official from office, and (ii) the presence or absence of aggravating or mitigating circumstances of which the commission should be aware in rendering its final decision.

(d) The removal power conferred by this section may be exercised only by the affirmative vote of two-thirds ( 2/3 ) of the membership of the commission eligible to participate, but in no case fewer than five (5) affirmative votes.