R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-22
The chairperson of the coastal resources management council and the commissioner of the environmental protection branch of the department of environmental management shall coordinate concurrent hearings on solid waste disposal license applications; provided, however, that the chairperson and the commissioner of the environmental protection branch of the department of environmental management may designate a hearing officer or subcommittee to hear all matters pertaining to the application and; provided further, that the hearing officer may be from the department of environmental management, the coastal resources management council hearing officer, a subcommittee, or an ad hoc hearing officer. The commissioner of coastal resources management with the approval of the chairperson may waive jurisdiction in those instances where the commissioner finds that there is no substantive coastal resources issue or that another agency or branch has adjudicated or addressed the issue.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-23-22