AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Ujifusa

Provides a mandatory, annual $80,000 RIEMA emergency communications funding, with specific minimum allocations to regional and backup mutual aid control centers.

05/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Overview

SB 2553, introduced in the Rhode Island Senate in 2026, would establish a mandatory annual appropriation to fund Rhode Island’s emergency management mutual aid framework, specifically for emergency communications during major incidents or when a community has exhausted its resources and requests assistance through mutual aid control centers.

Purpose and Intent

Ensure stable, dedicated funding for emergency communications managed by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) to support mutual aid operations during large-scale or multiple emergencies.

Strengthen the capacity of mutual aid control centers to coordinate resources and information when communities need external assistance.

Key Provisions

Sec. 30-15-46: Funding authorization

Mandates the General Assembly to make an annual appropriation of at least $80,000 to RIEMA (established under §30-15-5) for emergency communications related to major or multiple emergencies or when a community requests mutual aid due to exhausted resources.

Allocation distribution

Within the annual $80,000 appropriation, funds must be distributed as follows:
At least $12,500 to each designated metro control, East Bay control, Northern control, and Southern control centers. This implies four metropolitan regions receive not less than $12,500 each.
At least $7,500 to each designated back-up control center. This suggests additional backup centers receive not less than $7,500 each.

Effective date

The act would take effect upon passage.

Affected Entities

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA)

State government budgeting and appropriations processes

Local communities designated as mutual aid control centers (metropolitan, East Bay, Northern, Southern regions) and their back-up control centers

Emergency management coordinators and responders who rely on coordinated mutual aid communications

Practical Impact

Provides a dedicated, predictable funding stream to support emergency communications infrastructure and coordination during significant emergencies.

Helps ensure mutual aid control centers have baseline resources to operate effectively when communities rely on outside assistance.

Clarifies minimum funding levels for both primary regional control centers and backup centers, potentially improving readiness and response coordination.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

The bill is currently scheduled for a hearing/consideration (as of May 22, 2026) after its February 13, 2026 introduction and referral to Senate Finance.

If enacted, the appropriation would be annual and ongoing, subject to the regular state budgeting cycle and legislative appropriations process.

Effective date is immediate upon passage of the act.