Rhode Island General Laws Title 36. Public Officers and Employees § 36-4-16.4. Salaries of directors and secretaries

(a) In the month of March of each year, the department of administration shall conduct a public hearing to determine salaries to be paid to directors of all state executive departments and secretaries serving as the head of any state executive department or executive office, including but not limited to, the secretary of the executive office of health and human services, the secretary of commerce, and the secretary of housing for the following year, at which hearing all persons shall have the opportunity to provide testimony, orally and in writing.  In determining these salaries, the department of administration will take into consideration the duties and responsibilities of the aforenamed officers, as well as such related factors as salaries paid executive positions in other states and levels of government, and in comparable positions anywhere that require similar skills, experience, or training.  Consideration shall also be given to the amounts of salary adjustments made for other state employees during the period that pay for directors and secretaries was set last.

(b) Each salary determined by the department of administration will be in a flat amount, exclusive of such other monetary provisions as longevity, educational incentive awards, or other fringe additives accorded other state employees under provisions of law, and for which directors and secretaries are eligible and entitled.

(c) In no event will the department of administration lower the salaries of existing directors and secretaries during their term of office.

(d) Upon determination by the department of administration, the proposed salaries of directors and secretaries will be referred to the general assembly by the last day in April of that year to go into effect thirty (30) days hence, unless rejected by formal action of the house and the senate acting concurrently within that time.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for 2022 only, the time period for the department of administration to conduct the public hearing shall be extended to September and the proposed salaries shall be referred to the general assembly by October 30.  The salaries may take effect before next year, but all other provisions of this section shall apply.

(f) [Deleted by P.L. 2022, ch. 231, art. 3, § 12.]

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any law to the contrary, for 2023 only, the salary of the director of the department of children, youth and families shall be determined by the governor.