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SR 2237

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND FOOD BANK

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island approves a one-time $3 million transfer from the unappropriated general fund to the Rhode Island Food Bank to bolster food distribution during SNAP reductions.

04/28/2026 Committee heard
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 2237

Summary of SR 2237 ( Rhode Island, 2026 )

Joint Resolution making an appropriation to the Rhode Island Food Bank

Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution authorizes a financial appropriation to support the Rhode Island Food Bank in response to heightened need for emergency food assistance and anticipated reductions in federal food benefits.
  • It notes increasing demand for food assistance in 2025 (historic highs) and projections that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits will be reduced or terminated for about 32,000 Rhode Island residents due to federal changes (H.R. 1) enacted by Congress in July 2025, resulting in an estimated $9.5 million loss in benefits statewide.
  • The goal is to bolster food-supply capacity for those impacted by SNAP reductions by providing state-level support to the Rhode Island Food Bank, which serves 137 member agencies statewide.

Key Provisions

  • Appropriation: The bill would appropriate $3,000,000 from money in the state treasury that is not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027.
  • Allocation and Payment: The State Controller is authorized and directed to issue payments from the general treasury to the Rhode Island Food Bank, or as needed, upon properly authenticated vouchers.
  • Source and Timing: The funds are drawn from the general fund (unappropriated money) for the specified fiscal year, with the expectation that vouchers will document eligible disbursements.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Primary recipient: Rhode Island Food Bank.
  • Indirect impact: 137 member agencies across Rhode Island that rely on the Food Bank for food and support, particularly in the context of reduced federal assistance like SNAP benefits.
  • Beneficiaries: Rhode Island residents who experience increased food insecurity due to SNAP benefit reductions or loss of benefits.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: January 23, 2026.
  • Referred to: Senate Finance committee.
  • Committee actions: Heard on April 28, 2026; scheduled for consideration on April 28, 2026.
  • The resolution is a one-time appropriation bill for the 2026-2027 fiscal period, not an ongoing programmatic appropriation.

Notable Details

  • The bill explicitly connects the appropriation to conditions created by federal policy changes (H.R. 1) and a corresponding increase in demand for food assistance within Rhode Island.
  • The text specifies that the funding mechanism is through the normal state treasury and requires vouchers for payment, ensuring oversight and accountability.

Practical Implications

  • This allocation aims to stabilize food assistance infrastructure in Rhode Island during a period of increased need and reduced federal support.
  • It provides rapid state-level liquidity to the Rhode Island Food Bank to procure and distribute food through its network of 137 member agencies.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief comparison with similar past appropriations or outline potential oversight considerations and reporting requirements that typically accompany such a grant.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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