JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marvin Abney

The bill authorizes a one-time appropriation to pay six named Rhode Island claimants for specific vehicle and property damages from roadway or stormwater issues.

06/26/2026 Effective without Governor's signature

Purpose and intent

The bill is a Joint Resolution in Rhode Island creating an appropriation to pay a specified list of individual claims.

It authorizes the appropriation from money in the state treasury that is not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The aim is to provide payments to specific residents and entities for damages or losses allegedly caused by roadway or stormwater-related issues or related incidents.

Key provisions and changes

Authorization of funds: The resolution designates the exact amounts to be paid to named claimants, drawn from the general treasury for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

Specific claim amounts and recipients:

Bethany Wingren: $370.00 for vehicle damages from debris on Frenchtown Road over Route 4 in East Greenwich (Feb. 18, 2026).
Donna Jean Medeiros: $150.00 for vehicle damages from a roadway defect on East Main Road near Clements' Marketplace in Portsmouth (Nov. 6, 2025).
Frank A. Manfredi: $1,209.45 for vehicle damages from a roadway defect on Route 5 near Cherry Hill Road in Johnston (Mar. 6, 2026).
Sylvia M. Gulla: $1,051.60 for vehicle damages from a roadway defect on Route 95 south ramp near Atwells Avenue (Mar. 1, 2025).
The Hennesy Group: $1,200.00 for property damages due to flooding caused by a Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) stormwater drainage connection opening near Sowams Road and New Meadow Road (Dec. 15, 2022).
Kathleen Autiello: $483.58 for vehicle damages from roadway debris on Route 2 in Cranston (Apr. 18, 2025).

Payment mechanism: The State Controller is authorized to issue orders on the General Treasurer to pay the listed amounts to each claimant.

Who would be affected

Direct beneficiaries: Six named individuals/entities listed in the resolution (six claimants) who would receive specified monetary payments.

State financial administration: The General Treasurer and the State Controller would be responsible for issuing the payments and ensuring funds are drawn from the designated appropriation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: May 29, 2026.

Referred to: House Finance (for consideration and processing within the budget/appropriations workflow).

Fuente of funds: “Out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

No broader policy changes: The resolution appears limited to paying specific claims rather than creating a general claims fund or altering existing eligibility for future claims.

Notes and context

This type bill is a targeted appropriations measure, typically used to settle individual claims without setting broader statewide policy.

Amounts range from $150 to $1,209.45, reflecting a mix of relatively small and modestly larger claims related to vehicle and property damages.

The resolution includes a concise explanatory section confirming the purpose and the specific claimants and amounts.