Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H6376

Introduced
5/5/23  
Refer
5/5/23  
Report Pass
5/30/23  
Engrossed
6/1/23  
Enrolled
6/6/23  

Caption

Authorizing The Town Of East Greenwich To Finance The Acquisition, Construction, Improvement, Renovation, Alteration, Furnishing And Equipping Of Public Schools And School Facilities In The Town And All Expenses Incident Thereto Including, But Not Limited To, Costs Of Design, Demolition, Athletic Fields, Landscaping, Parking And Costs Of Financing And To Issue Not More Than $180,000,000 Bonds And/or Notes Therefor

Impact

If enacted, H6376 will have a substantial impact on local law regarding municipal financing and debt limits. The bill allows the town to raise capital through bonds without requiring prior approval from state agencies, giving local government more autonomy. Additionally, the act stipulates that bonds issued will be deemed obligations of the town, exempting them from existing statutory debt limits. This change could facilitate quicker responses to school facility needs and enhance educational quality in East Greenwich.

Summary

House Bill H6376 authorizes the Town of East Greenwich to issue bonds and notes not exceeding $180,000,000 for financing the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, alteration, furnishing, and equipping of public schools and school facilities in the town. The bill outlines that these funds can cover all expenses related to the specified projects, including design, demolition, landscaping, and parking. This financial backing is intended to improve local education infrastructure significantly and expand public school facilities to meet community needs.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding H6376 may arise from taxpayer concerns regarding the issuance of such substantial bonds. Critics might argue that higher debt levels could lead to increased tax burdens on residents. Proponents, however, would likely emphasize the long-term benefits of improved educational facilities, potentially arguing that the investment is necessary for the town's growth and success. The requirement for voter approval for the final bond amount also ensures that the residents have a say in the financial commitments being made on their behalf.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H6129

AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF WEST WARWICK TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $71,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, RENOVATION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE TOWN AND ALL ATTENDANT EXPENSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DEMOLITION, ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING COSTS

RI S1126

AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF WEST WARWICK TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $71,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES TO FINANCE THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, RENOVATION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE TOWN AND ALL ATTENDANT EXPENSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DEMOLITION, ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING COSTS

RI S2679

JOINT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE STATE TO ENTER INTO A FINANCING AGREEMENT RELATING TO SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO FINANCE RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS TO SAMUEL SLATER MIDDLE SCHOOL FACILITIES, OR THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SCHOOL FACILITIES AND ALL EXPENSES INCIDENT THERETO INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COSTS OF DESIGN, DEMOLITION, ATHLETIC FIELDS, LANDSCAPING AND PARKING BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $22,500,000 CITY BONDS, CITY NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR (Authorizes the city of Pawtucket to issue bonds for school renovations.)

RI H8204

JOINT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE STATE TO ENTER INTO A FINANCING AGREEMENT RELATING TO SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET TO FINANCE RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS TO SAMUEL SLATER MIDDLE SCHOOL FACILITIES, OR THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SCHOOL FACILITIES AND ALL EXPENSES INCIDENT THERETO INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COSTS OF DESIGN, DEMOLITION, ATHLETIC FIELDS, LANDSCAPING AND PARKING BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $22,500,000 CITY BONDS, CITY NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR (Authorizes bonds to finance school construction in the city of Pawtucket.)

RI S0674

AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES IN THE CITY BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $15,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR

RI H8300

AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES IN THE CITY BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $25,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR

RI S3087

AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES IN THE CITY BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $25,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR

RI H6077

AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERATION, REPAIR, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES IN THE CITY BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $15,000,000 BONDS, NOTES AND/OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS THEREFOR

RI H8527

AUTHORIZING THE CHARIHO REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SERVING THE TOWNS OF CHARLESTOWN, RICHMOND AND HOPKINTON, CONSISTING OF ONE OR MORE BUILDINGS ON A SINGLE CAMPUS, AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE SWITCH ROAD CAMPUS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COSTS OF LAND ACQUISITION, DEMOLITION, DESIGN, HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECTS, PLAYGROUNDS, LANDSCAPING, PAVING, AND ALL EXPENSES INCIDENTAL THERETO, BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $116,000,000 BONDS AND/OR NOTES THEREFOR, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF STATE HOUSING AID AT A REIMBURSEMENT RATE OR STATE SHARE RATIO OF NOT LESS THAN 61% AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE, WHICH RATE OR RATIO MAY INCREASE TO 65% AT PROJECT COMPLETION

RI S3242

AUTHORIZING THE CHARIHO REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SERVING THE TOWNS OF CHARLESTOWN, RICHMOND AND HOPKINTON, CONSISTING OF ONE OR MORE BUILDINGS ON A SINGLE CAMPUS, AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE SWITCH ROAD CAMPUS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COSTS OF LAND ACQUISITION, DEMOLITION, DESIGN, HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECTS, PLAYGROUNDS, LANDSCAPING, PAVING, AND ALL EXPENSES INCIDENTAL THERETO, BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $116,000,000 BONDS AND/OR NOTES THEREFOR, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF STATE HOUSING AID AT A REIMBURSEMENT RATE OR STATE SHARE RATIO OF NOT LESS THAN 61% AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE, WHICH RATE OR RATIO MAY INCREASE TO 65% AT PROJECT COMPLETION

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.