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H8605AFunding & Budget

Making an Appropriation to Pay Certain Claims

Appropriates $6,280.12 in state funds to pay nine specific claims for property and vehicle damage caused by state roadway defects and infrastructure issues.

Introduced38 Yea0 Nay0 Not voting
Population
Affected
5
Email Legislator
Introduced May 29, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution authorizes the appropriation of state funds to pay nine specific claims made by Rhode Island residents and businesses against the state. The claims primarily involve property and vehicle damage caused by state infrastructure issues, such as vehicles striking roadway defects or debris, and property flooding due to actions by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

The total amount appropriated across all claims is $6,280.12. The funds will be drawn from the state treasury for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The State Controller is authorized and directed to issue orders to the General Treasurer to disburse these payments to the affected individuals, resolving their claims against the state.

For younger readers

Sometimes people's cars or property get damaged because of problems with state roads, like big potholes or construction mistakes. This bill is a way for the state government to pay those people back for the damage. It lists nine specific people and businesses who will get money to fix their cars or property.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
The specific claimants listed in the billRhode Island taxpayersRhode Island Department of Transportation
Impacted communities
East GreenwichPortsmouthJohnstonProvidenceBarringtonCranstonLincolnCumberlandNorth KingstownTivertonNorth ProvidenceWesterlyWarwickGlocester

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. The legislature has the clear constitutional authority to appropriate funds and settle claims against the state.

Estimated cost
$6,280.12
Estimated revenue
Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Compensates everyday citizens for damages caused by government negligence
  • Ensures the state takes financial responsibility for its infrastructure failures
  • Provides direct financial relief to individuals who might otherwise struggle to pay for unexpected vehicle repairs
  • Highlights ongoing issues with underfunded or poorly maintained public infrastructure
  • Handles claims on a piecemeal legislative basis rather than through a streamlined, accessible administrative process
  • Does not address the root cause of the roadway defects or mandate infrastructure improvements
For Conservatives
  • Fulfills the government's basic obligation to make citizens whole when state property causes damage
  • Resolves legal claims efficiently without expensive and drawn-out litigation
  • Provides direct restitution to taxpayers rather than expanding government programs
  • Represents an additional cost to taxpayers due to poor state maintenance and vendor errors
  • Highlights inefficiencies and liabilities in the Department of Transportation's operations
  • Using legislative bills for small individual claims is an inefficient use of the General Assembly's time

Votes

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Full Bill Text

2 versions

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 the sums stipulated to pay the claims of the following: Representative Julie A. Casimiro The sum of $370.00 to pay the claim of Bethany Wingren of 1 North Quidnessett Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852 for damages to her vehicle when it struck roadway debris while traveling East on Frenchtown Road over Route 4, in the Town of East Greenwich on or about February 18, 2026; Representative John G. Edwards The sum of $150.00 to pay the claim of Donna Jean Medeiros of 1 Durfee Road, Tiverton, Rhode Island 02878 for damages to her vehicle when she struck a roadway defect while travelling South on East Main Road at or near Clements' Marketplace in the Town of Portsmouth on or about November 6, 2025; Representative Arthur J. Corvese The sum of $1,209.45 to pay the claim of Frank A. Manfredi of 3 Carriage Way, North Providence, Rhode Island 02904 for damages to his vehicle when it struck a roadway defect while traveling on Route 5 near Cherry Hill Road in the Town of Johnston on or about March 6, 2026; Representative Samuel A. Azzinaro The sum of $1,051.60 to pay the claim of Sylvia M. Gulla of 1 Midway Avenue in Westerly, Rhode Island 02891 for damages to her vehicle when it struck a roadway defect while traveling on Route 95 south on the ramp at or near Atwells Avenue on or about March 1, 2025; Representative Jason Knight The sum of $1,200.00 to pay the claim of The Hennesy Group of 1 Knight Street, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 for damages to their property at 1 Mallard Cove Way in Barrington, Rhode Island when the Rhode Island Department of Transportation inadvertently opened a connection from the stormwater drainage system at or near Sowams Road and New Meadow Road causing flooding to the property on or about December 15, 2022; Representative Thomas E. Noret The sum of $483.58 to pay the claim of Kathleen Autiello of 6 Falmouth Street, Johnston, Rhode Island 02919 for damages to her vehicle when it was struck by roadway debris while traveling South on Route 2 in the City of Cranston on or about April 18, 2025; Representative Michael W. Chippendale The sum of $729.49 to pay the claim of Todd Dalessio of 3 Francis Road, Glocester, Rhode Island 02857 for damages to his vehicle when it struck a roadway defect while traveling on Route 99 in the Town of Lincoln on or about April 14, 2026; Representative Alex D. Marszalkowski The sum of $500.00 to pay the claim of Mark A. Carroll of 2 Little Pond County Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864 for damages to his driveway when a vendor for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation failed to mark fresh paint on the roadway which was then tracked into their driveway located at 2 Little Pond County Road on or about September 9, 2025; Representative Deborah A. Fellela The sum of $586.00 to pay the claim of Daniel Reichert of 6 Cooper Road, Glocester, Rhode Island 02814 for damages to her vehicle when it struck a roadway defect while traveling on Cherry Hill Road in the Town of Johnston on or about April 14, 2026; and the State Controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the General Treasurer for the payment of said funds. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PAY CERTAIN CLAIMS *** This resolution would authorize the appropriation to pay the claims of the following: Representative Julie A. Casimiro The sum of $370.00 to pay the claim of Bethany Wingren of 1 North Quidnessett Road, North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852; Representative John G. Edwards The sum of $150.00 to pay the claim of Donna Jean Medeiros of 1 Durfee Road, Tiverton, Rhode Island 02878; Representative Arthur J. Corvese The sum of $1209.45 to pay the claim Frank A. Manfredi of 3 Carriage Way, North Providence, Rhode Island 02904; Representative Samuel A. Azzinaro The sum of $1,051.60 to pay the claim of Sylvia M. Gulla of 1 Midway Avenue, Westerly, Rhode Island 02891; Representative Jason Knight The sum of $1,200.00 to pay the claim of The Hennesy Group of 1 Knight Street, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886; Representative Thomas E. Noret The sum of $483.58 to pay the claim of Kathleen Autiello of 6 Falmouth Street, Johnston, Rhode Island 02919; Representative Michael W. Chippendale The sum of $729.49 to pay the claim of Todd Dalessio of 3 Francis Road, Glocester, Rhode Island 02857; Representative Alex D. Marszalkowski The sum $500.00 to pay the claim of Mark A. Carroll of 2 Little Pond County Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864; Representative Deborah A. Fellela The sum of $586.00 to pay the claim of Daniel Reichert of 6 Cooper Road, Glocester, Rhode Island 02814. ======== LC006539/SUB A ========