AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENT OF THE WARWICK CITY CHARTER TO ALLOW FOR ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES THAT SUBJECT MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS TO CERTAIN CODIFIED CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 2 co-sponsors

Warwick could require City Council advice and consent for mayoral appointments to codified boards and commissions, excluding Public Safety, pending voter approval.

06/10/2026 Senate read and passed

Bill Summary: SB 3360 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

SB 3360 would authorize a charter amendment for the City of Warwick to allow ordinances that place mayoral appointments to certain codified city boards and commissions under the advice and consent (A&C) of the Warwick City Council. The proposal explicitly excludes the Board of Public Safety from this council A&C authority. The measure requires voter approval at the next general election (November 2026) or a sooner special election.

Key provisions and changes

Amendment to Article VIII (Council Advice and Consent to Boards and Commissions):

The Warwick City Council could enact ordinances subjecting mayoral appointments to specific codified city boards and commissions (those codified in the charter or in the city code) to the council’s A&C, with the exception of the Board of Public Safety.

Authority scope:

Applies only to boards and commissions that are codified either in the charter or in the Warwick code of ordinances.
The Board of Public Safety is specifically excluded from A&C oversight under this proposal.

Process for adoption:

The amendments would be placed before Warwick voters for approval or rejection at the next general election in November 2026 (or at a special election if scheduled sooner).

Effective dates:

Section 2 (voter-approved amendment) becomes effective upon voter approval.
Section 1 (charter language changes) becomes effective upon approval by the voters.

Who is affected

City of Warwick residents: Voters who will decide whether the City Council may require A&C for mayoral appointments to codified boards and commissions (excluding the Board of Public Safety).

City Council and mayor: If approved, the City Council would gain the authority to approve or veto (through A&C) mayoral appointments to a subset of boards and commissions.

Codified boards and commissions: Only those that are codified in the charter or city code would be subject to A&C; non-codified boards (if any exist) would not be affected.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: Introduced June 5, 2026, referred to Senate Housing & Municipal Government.

Ballot question timing: To be decided by voter election in November 2026 (or a sooner special election).

Effective dates:

Section 2 (ballot and immediate effect on implementation) takes effect upon passage.
Section 1 (charter amendment) takes effect upon voter approval.

Notes

The act reflects a municipal governance proposal prompted by Warwick City Council action (resolution dated May 11, 2026).

The exclusion of the Board of Public Safety suggests a desire to preserve a separate appointment process for that agency.