2026 -- S 2559

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LC005186

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,000,000 TO RHODE ISLAND LEGAL SERVICES,

INC.

     

     Introduced By: Senators Bissaillon, LaMountain, McKenney, Britto, Dimitri, Mack, and
DiPalma

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Finance

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     WHEREAS, Each year, thousands of hardworking low-income Rhode Island families,

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victims of domestic violence, Veterans, and older residents depend on Rhode Island Legal

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Services, Inc. for legal representation and assistance; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization with statewide

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operations; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2025, Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. opened 5,805 cases and closed

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4,713; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. has prioritized helping Rhode Islanders

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obtain safe, affordable housing, income maintenance and food, a healthy community, family

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preservation and safety, financial stability, high-quality and appropriate education, and

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employment and workers’ rights; and

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     WHEREAS, Since its founding, Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. has helped over two

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hundred thousand Rhode Islanders lead safe, productive, and self-sufficient lives; now, therefore

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be it

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     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of three million dollars

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($3,000,000) to Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc.; and the state controller is hereby directed to

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draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof

 

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as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,000,000 TO RHODE ISLAND LEGAL SERVICES,

INC.

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     This resolution would appropriate the sum of $3,000,000 to Rhode Island Legal Services,

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Inc.

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LC005186

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