This bill is a comprehensive appropriations bill for the fiscal year 2024 for the state of Rhode Island. It outlines the allocation of funds from the state treasury for various departments, agencies, and programs. The bill includes appropriations for central management, legal services, accounts and control, office of management and budget, purchasing, human resources, information technology, library and information services, planning, general grants/payments, debt service payments, energy resources, Rhode Island Health Benefits Exchange, division of equity, diversity & inclusion, capital asset management and maintenance, business regulation, insurance regulation, office of the health insurance commissioner, commercial licensing and gaming and athletics licensing, building, design and fire professionals, and office of cannabis regulation.

The bill also provides funding for economic development initiatives, housing programs, workforce development services, revenue departments, and other government agencies. Specific allocations include funds for airport impact payments, research alliances, internships, redevelopment projects, small business promotion, affordable housing development, workforce training, and more. It designates funds for specific organizations and initiatives, such as the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, the We the People Civics Challenge, and the Rhode Island Historical Society.

Furthermore, the bill allocates funds for the Office of Health and Human Services, the Department of Children, Youth and Families, the Department of Health, and the Department of Human Services. It includes funding for medical assistance, children's behavioral health services, youth development services, child welfare, higher education incentive grants, community health and equity, environmental health, health laboratories and medical examiner, customer services, policy, information and communications, preparedness, response, infectious disease and emergency services, and COVID-19 response. It also includes provisions for reporting on progress and data collection for certain programs.

Additionally, the bill appropriates funds for the Office of Veterans Services, Health Care Eligibility, Supplemental Security Income Program, Rhode Island Works, Other Programs, Office of Healthy Aging, Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, Office of the Child Advocate, Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Governor's Commission on Disabilities, Office of the Mental Health Advocate, Elementary and Secondary Education, Davies Career and Technical School, RI School for the Deaf, Metropolitan Career and Technical School, and Education Aid.

The bill also appropriates funds for various educational institutions and programs, including the Office of Postsecondary Commissioner, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and Community College of Rhode Island. It provides funding for the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission, Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission, Attorney General's Office, and the Department of Corrections.

The bill includes provisions for federal funds, restricted receipts, and other funds for various departments and agencies. It authorizes the Governor to transfer or reallocate appropriations and full-time equivalent positions when functions of a department or agency are transferred to another department or agency. It establishes internal service accounts to finance and account for the operations of state agencies that provide services to other agencies on a cost-reimbursed basis.

The bill also appropriates funds for the Temporary Disability Insurance Fund, Employment Security Fund, Lottery Division, and CollegeBoundSaver program. It sets limitations on the number of full-time equivalent positions for each department and agency, with certain exceptions. It allows for a written statement of legislative intent to show the intended purpose of the appropriations.

Lastly, the bill includes provisions regarding contracted employee services and the reappropriation of funds from the Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund. It appropriates funds for various projects, including DOA - 560 Jefferson Boulevard, DOA - Accessibility Facility Renovations, DOA - Civic Center, DOA - Cranston Street Armory, DOA - DoIT Enterprise Operations Center, DOA - Hospital Reorganization, DOA - Pastore Building Demolition, DOA - Pastore Center Hospital Buildings, DOA - Pastore Center Non-Hospital Buildings, DOA - Pastore Campus Infrastructure, DOA - RI Convention Center Authority, DOA - Shepard Building Upgrades, DOA - State House Renovations, DOA - William Powers Building, DOA - Zambarano Buildings and Campus, DBR - Fire Academy Expansion, EOC - I-195 Redevelopment Commission, DCYF - Residential Treatment Facility, ELSEC - Davies Career and Technical School Wing Renovation, ELSEC - MET School Asset Protection, URI - Asset Protection, URI - Athletics Complex, URI - Fine Arts Center Renovation, URI - Fire Protection Academic Buildings, URI - Bay Campus, RIC - Asset Protection, RIC - Infrastructure Modernization, RIC - Clarke Science, CCRI - Asset Protection, CCRI - Data, Cabling, & Power Infrastructure, CCRI - Flanagan Campus Renovations, CCRI - Renovation and Modernization, DOC - Asset Protection, Military Staff - Aviation Readiness Center, Military Staff - Quonset Airport Runway Reconstruction, DPS - Asset Protection, DPS - Southern Barracks, DPS - Training Academy Upgrades, DPS - RISCON Microwave Tower Replacement, DEM - Dam Repair, DEM - Marine Infrastructure & Pier Development, DEM - Port of Galilee, DEM - Natural Resources Offices and Visitor's Center, DEM - Recreational Facilities Improvement, CRMC - Confined Aquatic Dredged Material Disposal Cells, DOT - Highway Improvement Program, DOT - Maintenance Capital Equipment Replacement, DOT - Salt Storage Facilities, DOT - RIPTA Land & Building Enhancements, and DOT - RIPTA Pawtucket Bus Hub Passenger Facility. It also includes provisions regarding the reappropriation of funding for Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund projects, the Neighborhood Opportunities Program, and the appropriation of Economic Activity Taxes for the city of Pawtucket downtown redevelopment. Additionally, the bill includes provisions regarding the appropriations from federal funds and the State Fiscal Recovery Fund and Capital Projects Fund.

The bill appropriates funds for various purposes related to COVID-19 response and recovery in Rhode Island. The funds will be allocated to different departments and programs to address public health impacts, support job partnerships, enhance minority business enterprises, develop affordable housing, and provide financial and technical assistance to small businesses and COVID-impacted industries. The bill also includes funds for destination tourism marketing, the development of a marine terminal, and investments in the biosciences industry.

Specifically, the bill allocates funds to the Department of Administration for ongoing COVID-19 mitigation activities, the Pandemic Recovery Office, public health response warehouse support, and an auto-enrollment program for qualified individuals transitioned off Medicaid coverage. The Department of Labor and Training will receive funds to support the Real Jobs Rhode Island program. The Executive Office of Commerce will receive funds for destination marketing, minority business acceleration, the South Quay Marine Terminal, and bioscience investments. The Department of Housing will receive funds for the development of affordable housing, targeted housing development, site acquisition, down payment assistance, workforce housing, affordable housing predevelopment, and home repair and community revitalization.

This bill appropriates funds for various programs and initiatives in Rhode Island. Specifically, it includes funding for affordable housing preservation, predevelopment and capacity building, homelessness assistance, and proactive housing development. The bill also allocates funds for the development of housing-related infrastructure and the expansion of port infrastructure and services at the Port of Davisville. Additionally, the bill provides funding for workforce stabilization in the Department of Children, Youth and Families, COVID-19 operational support in the Department of Health, and crisis intervention trainings and a 9-8-8 hotline in the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals. The bill also includes funding for adult education providers, out of school time education providers, and postsecondary degree and credential attainment programs. Finally, the bill supports the establishment of a cybersecurity center at Rhode Island College and a water treatment plant at the University of Rhode Island.

Overall, this bill aims to address various needs and priorities in Rhode Island, including affordable housing, workforce stabilization, public health, education, and infrastructure development.

This bill appropriates funds for various purposes in support of the fiscal year 2024. The Department of Public Safety will receive funds to support survivors of domestic violence, including housing, clinical and mental health services, therapy and counseling, housing assistance, job training, relocation aid, and case management. The Department of Transportation will receive funds for a municipal roads grant program, a free fare bus route service pilot, and a study on safety barriers for bridges. The Department of Administration will receive funds for the administration of the Capital Projects Fund and a matching grant program for community wellness centers. The Executive Office of Commerce will receive funds for broadband projects to provide high-speed internet to all Rhode Islanders. The bill also includes provisions for the reappropriation of unexpended and unencumbered federal funds, monitoring of program progress and performance, and transfers to reserve accounts.

This bill makes several amendments to existing laws relating to state funds.

In Section 1, the bill amends Section 23-3-25 of the General Laws to update the fees for searches and copies of vital records. The bill also adds a provision for expedited service and specifies fees for processing adoptions, legitimations, or paternity determinations. Additionally, the bill establishes a surcharge for acquiring, maintaining, and operating an electronic statewide registration system.

In Section 2, the bill adds a new section to Chapter 35-3-20 of the General Laws to create a supplemental state budget reserve account. This account will be used to fund any unanticipated general revenue deficit caused by a general revenue shortfall.

In Section 3, the bill amends Section 35-4-27 of the General Laws to specify which restricted receipt accounts are exempt from the transfer of indirect cost recoveries to the general fund.

Overall, the bill aims to update fees for vital records, establish a reserve account for unanticipated revenue deficits, and clarify which restricted receipt accounts are subject to the transfer of indirect cost recoveries.

This bill makes various changes to state funds and accounts. It establishes new accounts, such as the RGGI-Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council Projects account and the Marijuana Trust Fund. It also amends the duties of the controller within the Department of Administration, including requiring the controller to transfer 50% of general revenues received in the completed fiscal year to the employees' retirement system and the Supplemental State Budget Reserve Account. Additionally, the bill transfers procurement authority to the chief purchasing officer and allows for the collection of a statewide contract administrative fee from state contractors.

This bill makes several amendments to existing laws regarding state funds.

First, it establishes a "division of purchases account" within the general fund, which will receive funds collected for administrative fees related to state procurement. These funds will be used for implementing technology for bid submission and processing, online vendor registration, bid notification, and other procurement-related costs. The chief purchasing officer is required to file an annual report detailing the amount of funds collected, the account balance, and an itemization of expenditures and uses of the funds.

Second, the bill transfers the total annual proceeds from the sale of state-owned land, buildings, and other real property to the information technology restricted receipt account (ITRR account). These funds will be available for the purposes outlined in the law, unless prohibited by federal law. The state controller is authorized to offset outstanding liabilities of developmental disability organizations (DDOs) against the proceeds from the sale of group homes.

Lastly, the bill creates a Rhode Island highway maintenance account within the intermodal surface transportation fund. This account will receive funds from various sources, including vehicle registration surcharges and fees assessed under certain sections of the law. The funds in this account will be used for highway maintenance purposes.

This bill makes several amendments to existing laws regarding state funds.

First, it establishes the Rhode Island highway maintenance account, which will receive funds collected from general obligation bond issues and other sources. The bill specifies the percentage of funds that will be deposited into the account each year, with the goal of eventually depositing 100% of the funds.

Second, the bill amends the Emergency Telephone Number Act to levy surcharges on telephone lines and trunks, as well as wireless devices, to fund the E-911 uniform emergency telephone system. The bill specifies the amount of the surcharges and how they will be collected and deposited. It also outlines the purposes for which the funds collected from the surcharges may be used.

Finally, the bill amends the law regarding the acceptance of settlements by the Attorney General. It establishes the Attorney General settlement restricted account and authorizes the Attorney General to accept settlements resulting from multi-state initiatives in the name of the state.

This bill establishes restricted receipt accounts within the Department of Attorney General and the Department of Administration. The attorney general's restricted receipt account will receive funds from attorneys' fees recovered in non-multi-state initiatives, including a specific case related to opioid-related claims. The funds in this account will be used to pay for staff and operational expenses of the Department of Attorney General. The Department of Administration's restricted receipt account, called the information technology restricted receipt account (ITRR account), will receive funds from the sale of state-owned land and buildings, as well as other sources. These funds will be used for acquiring information technology improvements for state departments and agencies. The bill also establishes a separate fund called the large systems initiatives fund (LSI fund) within the Department of Administration, which will be used for implementing and maintaining enterprise-wide software projects for executive branch departments.

The bill also amends existing law to require that all settlement proceeds accepted by the attorney general as part of relevant master settlement agreements be subject to the annual appropriation process and approval by the general assembly. Additionally, the bill establishes the Office of Digital Excellence within the Department of Administration, which will be responsible for implementing new and mission-critical technology infrastructure projects and upgrades for state agencies, increasing the number of government services provided online, improving state websites, and enhancing the state's use of social media and mobile applications. The office will coordinate its efforts with the Division of Enterprise Technology Strategy and Services and will be led by a chief digital officer appointed by the director of administration.

This bill establishes the division of enterprise technology strategy and services (ETSS) within the department. ETSS will include the office of information technology, the office of digital excellence, and the office of library and information services. The chief digital officer, appointed by the director of administration, will oversee and manage the division. The chief digital officer will also supervise the state's chief information officer, chief technology officer, chief information security officer, and directors of information technology. The chief digital officer will report annually on the implementation status of technology infrastructure projects, website improvements, e-government transactions, and projects supported by the information technology investment fund.

In addition, this bill amends the General Laws to increase the number of members on the inter-agency food and nutrition policy advisory council from seven to nine. The bill also amends the General Laws to define the word "bridge" and clarify the responsibilities of the state in relation to bridges.

This bill includes several amendments to existing laws.

First, it adds language stating that the state is responsible for the construction and maintenance costs of bridges on state-owned roads, structures less than eight feet on state roads, and other state-owned structures unless otherwise agreed upon. It also clarifies that performing inspections or load ratings on any bridge or structure less than eight feet by the state for public safety does not constitute ownership or responsibility of the structure.

Second, it amends the law regarding the Rhode Island veterans' memorial cemetery. It specifies that the cemetery is under the management and control of the director of the department of human services, who will appoint an administrator for the cemetery. It expands eligibility for burial in the cemetery to include any person who served in the army, navy, air force, or marine corps of the United States for a period of not less than two years and whose service was terminated honorably. It also adds eligibility for burial for national guard members and/or reservists who are honorably discharged after completion of at least six years of service with another state and who are a Rhode Island resident for at least two consecutive years immediately prior to death.

Lastly, it makes amendments to the law regarding the salaries of directors and secretaries of state executive departments. It establishes a process for determining salaries, including conducting a public hearing and considering factors such as duties and responsibilities, salaries in other states and levels of government, and salary adjustments for other state employees. It also specifies that the salaries will be in a flat amount and will not be lowered during the director's or secretary's term of office.

This bill includes several amendments to existing laws related to government reform and reorganization. It requires the office of management and budget to conduct reviews, evaluations, and assessments on process efficiency, operational effectiveness, budget and policy objectives, and general program performance. It also requires other state executive branch agencies to cooperate with the office of management and budget by providing analyses, documentation, and staff resources for s