Rhode Island House Bill H7813

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/26
• Refer: 2/12/26

Caption

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $10,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION, TO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION

Summary

H7813 is a joint resolution that would appropriate $10 million to the Rhode Island Foundation to create a dedicated principal fund for supporting public education. The money would be deposited in an interest-bearing account and provided over five years at $2 million per year, with the Foundation using the principal to generate ongoing support for education-related grants. The resolution directs the Rhode Island Foundation to distribute 4% of the principal annually to local education agency foundations that register by September 1 each year. Those local foundations would then use the funds, according to their own criteria, to award grants to teachers within their districts for innovative teaching and learning initiatives. The bill is structured as a targeted public-private funding mechanism rather than a direct state grant program to school districts.

Impact

If enacted, the resolution would create a new state appropriation and a new funding stream for public education through the Rhode Island Foundation, affecting state budget authority and the administration of appropriated funds. It would not directly amend the education code, but it would establish a statutory framework for how the Foundation must hold, invest, and distribute the money, and it would condition access on annual registration by local education agency foundations. Teachers, local school district foundations, and the Rhode Island Foundation would be the primary parties affected.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be framed positively as an investment in public education and classroom innovation. The overall tone is supportive of local education foundations and teacher-led grantmaking.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are the size and structure of the appropriation, the use of state funds through a private nonprofit intermediary, and the decision to channel money to local education agency foundations rather than directly to schools or districts. Some stakeholders may favor the flexibility of foundation-based grantmaking, while others may question accountability, oversight, or whether the annual 4% distribution and registration requirements are the best mechanism for delivering public education support. No specific opposing or supporting groups were identified in the provided record.