Rhode Island General Laws Title 42. State Affairs and Government § 42-64-12. Community advisory committees

(a) The Rhode Island commerce corporation may establish one or more local or regional community advisory committees to consider and advise the corporation upon matters submitted to them by the corporation concerning the development of any area or any project, and may establish rules and regulations with respect to those committees. The community advisory committees shall include, as members ex officio, the mayors of the cities and the presidents of the town councils of the cities and towns, respectively, situated in the area with respect to which the community advisory committees are established. Those members shall serve at the pleasure of the corporation and without salary, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(b) The corporation may purchase from, sell to, borrow from, loan to, contract with, or otherwise deal with any corporation, trust, association, partnership, or other entity in which any member of a community advisory committee has a financial interest, direct or indirect, provided that the interest is disclosed in the minutes of the corporation.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of law, general, special, or local, no officer or employee of the state or of any agency thereof shall be deemed to have forfeited or shall forfeit his or her office or employment by reason of his or her acceptance of membership on a community advisory committee.