Directs the general assembly to fund ten full time equivalent positions in FY 2027 to support DEM's efforts in the areas of forestry and forestry projects.
Mandates that any surplus state tax revenue received in any fiscal year would be refunded to the taxpayers of this state on a proportional basis in relation to the personal income tax liability incurred by the taxpayers in that fiscal year.
SB 2412 establishes a commemorative Rhode Island license plate honoring Governor Roger Williams, the first governor of the State of Rhode Island. Vehicle owners who apply for this plate must pay an additional $25 fee (with $15 covering plate costs and $10 going to the general fund) on top of standard registration fees. The bill is purely ceremonial and would not change vehicle registration rules for most drivers.
Mandates additional state education funding for the mental and behavioral health of students equal to 2% of the district’s total expenditures, and require those funds be used to hire staff such as school social workers, and behavioral specialists.
HR 7257 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit annual state budget growth in Rhode Island. The bill would require that total state spending increases each year not exceed the higher of either the previous year's inflation rate (using the Consumer Price Index) or the growth rate of Rhode Island personal income. Exceptions include debt payments, federally mandated spending, and emergencies approved by a two-thirds vote of the legislature. If approved by voters, this amendment would directly affect how the state government sets annual budgets.
Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.
HB 7127 is a state budget bill allocating hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for Rhode Island's fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. It directs specific funding amounts to state agencies and programs, including Central Management, Health Benefits Exchange, Debt Service Payments, and infrastructure projects like building renovations and facility upgrades. The bill establishes concrete funding levels for departments such as Health and Human Services, Education, and Information Technology, with detailed allocations for both general revenue and restricted funds. This legislation directly affects state agencies and programs that will receive these designated funds to operate during the 2027 fiscal year.
HB 7126 is a budget adjustment bill that revises funding allocations for Rhode Island's fiscal year 2026 (ending June 2026). It modifies existing appropriations across state departments and programs, including a significant $83.2 million increase for the Community Learning Center Municipal Grant Program. The bill adjusts funding levels for various state functions - such as Central Management, Information Technology, and public infrastructure projects - reflecting revised budget priorities. It does not create new programs or laws but reallocates existing state funds to support ongoing operations and specific initiatives for the 2026 fiscal year.
SB 2235 requires the state auditor general to conduct annual performance audits of all state agencies starting January 1, 2027. These audits will examine how effectively and efficiently agencies operate, whether they comply with laws, and if public funds are properly spent. The auditor general must report findings to the legislature and executive branch, including any agency failing to meet audit standards. This directly affects all state agencies, from departments to boards, by mandating regular reviews of their operations and financial management. The bill aims to improve accountability in government spending without changing existing agency responsibilities.
Requires that the governor submit a zero-based budget to the general assembly with the zero-based budget phased in over a five (5) year period, commencing with the fiscal budget year of July 1, 2027.