S 3353Public Finance

Making an Appropriation to Pay Certain Claims

Appropriates $5,152 to pay six vehicle damage claims from roadway debris/defects.

Signed into law67 Yea0 Nay8 Not voting

Population
Affected

Introduced Jun 4, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

The bill is a joint resolution (S3353) introduced by Senator Louis P. DiPalma in the Rhode Island Senate on June 4, 2026. It authorizes the State Treasury to appropriate funds from any unappropriated money for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, to pay six specific claims arising from vehicle damage caused by roadway debris or defects. The resolution lists the claimants, their addresses, and the amounts due, totaling approximately $5,152. The State Controller is directed to issue orders to the General Treasurer for payment. No new programs or policy changes are created; the measure simply earmarks money to settle these claims, affecting only the listed individuals and the municipalities where the incidents occurred. The fiscal impact is minimal relative to the state budget, and the resolution is procedural, taking effect immediately upon Senate passage for the FY 2027 budget cycle.

For younger readers

This bill tells the state to set aside money to pay people whose cars were damaged by stuff on the road. It gives the money to six drivers so they can fix their cars.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Vehicle ownersResidents of CumberlandResidents of North SmithfieldResidents of JohnstonResidents of LincolnResidents of ProvidenceResidents of PawtucketResidents of Cranston

Impacted communities

CumberlandNorth SmithfieldJohnstonLincolnProvidencePawtucketCranston

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low risk

Low - the bill merely appropriates existing funds to settle verified claims, posing minimal constitutional concerns.

Estimated cost

5,151.86

Estimated revenue

Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Provides restitution to individuals harmed by unsafe road conditions, promoting fairness.
Shows state responsibility for infrastructure maintenance and compensates victims without requiring lawsuits.
Uses existing treasury funds, avoiding new taxes or fees.
Helps marginalized drivers who may lack resources to pursue claims elsewhere.
Demonstrates commitment to consumer protection and accountability.
Small appropriation sets precedent for targeted payouts, potentially encouraging more claims.
Uses public money for private disputes, expanding government spending.
May be seen as bailing out individuals rather than fixing road infrastructure.
Could create entitlement expectations for road‑related damages.
Risks adding bureaucracy and intrusion into private matters.

For Conservatives

Limited financial impact, minimal effect on overall budget.
Upholds the principle of paying legitimate claims, reinforcing rule of law.
Avoids litigation costs and delays for claimants.
Demonstrates efficient use of existing funds rather than new taxes.
Supports personal responsibility and compensation for damages.
May be viewed as unnecessary government spending for private disputes.
Could set a precedent for targeted payouts, encouraging more claims.
Uses taxpayer money to compensate individuals instead of improving roads.
May create expectations for similar claims, increasing future costs.
Adds administrative steps without broader policy benefit.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

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: Senator Ryan W. Pearson The sum of $1,177.26 to pay the claim of Ruth K. Douglas of 6 Rawson Road, Cumberland, RI 02864 for damages to her vehicle when it struck roadway debris while traveling on route 146 north at or near Sayles Hill Road in the Town of North Smithfield on or about November 7, 20 Senator Todd M. Patalano The sum of $446.91 to pay the claim of Mike Arena, 5 Red Oak Drive Lane, Cranston, Rhode Island 02921 for damages to his vehicle when he struck a roadway defect while traveling on George Waterman Road in the Town of Johnston on or about April 9, 2026. Senator Melissa A. Murray The sum of $535.82 to pay the claim of Barbara Mansour of 2 Pond Street, #5 Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895 for damages to her vehicle when it struck a roadway defect while traveling on Route 146 near Manville, Rhode Island in the Town of Lincoln on or about March 13, 2024. Senator Melissa A. Murray The sum of $500.00 to pay the claim Rachel Boiteau of 1 Bellevue Avenue, North Smithfield Rhode Island 02896 for damages to her vehicle when it was struck by roadway debris while traveling on Route 146 in the City of Providence on or about January 15, 2026. Senator Robert Britto The sum of $280.38 to pay the claim of John Sidney Baxter, Jr. of 9 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860 for damages to his vehicle when it struck a roadway defect while traveling on Route A in the City of Pawtucket on or about March 1, 20 Senator Samuel D. Zurier The sum of $2,211.49 to pay the claim of Daniel Chasse of 3 Wayland Avenue Providence, RI 02906 for damages to his vehicle when it struck a roadway defect while traveling on Route 37 at or near Pontiac Avenue in the City of Cranston on or about February 22, 2026: and the State Controller to draw upon their orders upon the General Treasurer for 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 claims of the following: The sum of $1,177.26 to pay the claim of Ruth K. Douglas of 6 Rawson Road, Cumberland, RI 02864; The sum of $446.91 to pay the claim of Mike Arena of 5 Red Oak Drive, Cranston, RI 02921; The sum of $535.82 to pay the claim of Barbara Mansour of 2 Pond Street, #5 Woonsocket, RI 02895; The sum of $500.00 to pay the claim of Rachel Boiteau of 1 Bellevue Avenue, North Smithfield, RI 02896; The sum of $280.38 to pay the claim of John Sidney Baxter, Jr. of 9 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860; The sum of $2,211.49 to pay the claim of Daniel Chasse of 3 Wayland Avenue, Providence, RI 02906.