The proposed joint resolution seeks to amend the Constitution of Rhode Island to grant the governor the authority to exercise a line-item veto on budget and appropriation bills. This amendment would allow the governor to approve a bill while reducing specific sums of money or disapproving individual items within the bill. If the governor chooses to reduce appropriations or disapprove certain items, those portions would not become law unless the General Assembly re-passes them according to established procedures. The amendment specifies that each sum of money reduced by the governor must be separately reconsidered by the General Assembly, and it outlines limitations on how the governor may approve or disapprove items to prevent the creation of new words or sentences. Additionally, it states that if an item disapproved by the governor constitutes a condition on appropriated funds, the corresponding sum shall not be reduced.

The resolution also details the process for submitting this constitutional amendment to the state's qualified electors for approval during the next statewide general election. It mandates that the Secretary of State publish the proposed amendment in local newspapers and ensure it is included in the notices for town, ward, or district meetings. The amendment will replace Section 14 of Article IX in the state Constitution, and the voting process will follow the same legal requirements as those for electing general officers in the state.