PRIA Logo™
Rhode IslandH71632026 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT .

Sponsored By: Susan R. Donovan (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Required school upkeep spending and oversight

Each district must meet one of three yearly maintenance targets. Spend at least 3% of the operating budget, or 3% of replacement value, or $3.00 per square foot of building space (adjusted for inflation). The state education department tracks and reports compliance. If a district falls short, the state redirects housing aid equal to the shortfall into a district fund that can only pay for maintenance.

Local school funding floor and flex

Each city and town must give its school committee at least as much local money as last year. Medicaid payments do not count toward that required local amount. If enrollment drops, a district can calculate the requirement per student instead of in total. With the state commissioner's approval, a district can deduct one-time school costs. One-time debt payments and debt no longer on the books do not count toward the budget or the maintenance rule.

State aid adds to local school funds

State education money must add to, not replace, local school funds. Cities and towns must pass state funds to the school committee in the same fiscal year. Unspent state and local funds stay with the school committee and do not revert to the city or town. Any surplus does not lower the town’s required local contribution in future years.

Limits on voucher tax credit opt-in

Rhode Island can join the federal voucher tax credit program only if the General Assembly passes a bill and the Governor signs it. The Governor cannot opt in alone or send a list of scholarship groups without that law. Until both branches approve, the state does not participate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Susan R. Donovan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Jennifer Boylan

    Democratic • House

  • Julie A. Casimiro

    Democratic • House

  • Terri Cortvriend

    Democratic • House

  • Jenni A. Furtado

    Democratic • House

  • Rebecca M. Kislak

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Messier

    Democratic • House

  • William W. O'Brien

    Democratic • House

  • Brandon C. Potter

    Democratic • House

  • June Speakman

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 91 • No: 17

Senate vote • 6/11/2026

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT In Concurrence

Yes: 34 • No: 4

House vote • 6/10/2026

EDUCATION - SCHOOL SUPPORT PASSAGE

Yes: 57 • No: 13

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 093

    6/18/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/16/2026Governor

  3. Senate passed in concurrence

    6/11/2026Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)

    6/10/2026Senate

  5. House read and passed

    6/10/2026House

  6. Placed on House Calendar (06/10/2026)

    6/8/2026House

  7. Committee recommends passage

    6/8/2026

  8. Scheduled for consideration (06/08/2026)

    6/6/2026

  9. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    4/28/2026

  10. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/28/2026)

    4/24/2026

  11. Introduced, referred to House Finance

    1/16/2026House

Bill Text

  • H7163 - As Introduced

    1/16/2026

    HTMLPDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation