H 7589Emergency Management

Military Affairs and Defense - Emergency Management

This bill requires the state to provide at least $80,000 annually to fund emergency communication control centers.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 6, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation adds a new section to the Rhode Island General Laws regarding Emergency Management. It mandates that the General Assembly appropriate at least $80,000 annually to the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. This funding is specifically designated to support mutual aid control centers, which facilitate communication during major emergencies or when a community's resources are depleted. The funds are to be distributed among designated metro, regional, and back-up control centers to ensure operational readiness for emergency response coordination.

For younger readers

This law tells the state government that it must save money every year to help police and firefighters talk to each other during big emergencies. Specifically, the government must give $80,000 a year to special centers that answer emergency calls. These centers help towns when they have too many problems at once, like during a big storm, and need help from their neighbors. This money makes sure the equipment works and people are ready to help keep everyone safe.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Emergency DispatchersRhode Island Emergency Management AgencyFirst RespondersMunicipal GovernmentsGeneral Public

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

$0.05

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Strengthens the social safety net by ensuring that emergency services are better coordinated and funded, protecting vulnerable populations during disasters.
Promotes community welfare by supporting mutual aid agreements, allowing towns with fewer resources to rely on neighbors during crises.
Enhances the efficacy of public services by providing guaranteed funding for essential communication infrastructure used by first responders.
The allocated amount of $80,000 may be considered insufficient to make a substantial systemic impact on statewide emergency management infrastructure.
Does not include specific provisions ensuring that resources are prioritized for historically marginalized or lower-income communities during disasters.
Lacks language regarding oversight or transparency to ensure the funds are not used to militarize police responses under the guise of emergency management.

For Conservatives

Supports the core government function of public safety and maintaining order during emergencies and natural disasters.
Encourages efficiency through mutual aid, allowing towns to share resources rather than each town purchasing redundant expensive equipment.
Directs funding to decentralized regional control centers rather than consolidating all power and funds in a single state bureaucracy.
Creates a mandatory spending obligation ("shall make an annual appropriation"), reducing the legislature's flexibility in future budgeting.
Increases the size and budget of the state government, specifically the executive department's emergency management agency.
Imposes a permanent, recurring cost on taxpayers, regardless of the state's economic conditions in future years.

Votes

Loading votes...

Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 13 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 30-15 of the General Laws entitled "Emergency Management" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 30-15-46. Funding to support mutual aid control centers.

(a) The general assembly shall make an annual appropriation of not less than eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) to the Rhode Island emergency management agency in the executive department and created pursuant to the provisions of §30-15-5, to assist with emergency communications during major or multiple emergency incidents or when a community has exhausted its emergency resources and has requested assistance by the control centers under their mutual aid agreement.

(b) These funds shall be distributed annually as follows:

(1) An amount of not less than twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500) to the communities designated as metro control, east bay control, northern control, and southern control; and

(2) An amount of not less than seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) to the communities designated as back-up control centers.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.