Signed by Governor Gina Raimondo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a state budget for fiscal year 2018.

Highlights:

• Establishes a $9.2 billion budget for the state of Rhode Island for FY 2018 (Article 1, Sec. 1).

• Appropriates funds to the Elderly/Disabled Transportation Program through the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (Article 8, Sec. 1).

• Prohibits any vehicle or trailer’s excise tax from exceeding 70% of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (Article 11, Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the gradual phase-out of all vehicle excise taxes and requires a government rebate to municipalities for any lost revenue as a result of the phase-out (Article 11, Sec. 2).

• Amends the state’s health care system by (Articles 13-15):

• Creating new reimbursement rates under Medicare and Medicaid for community and rural health centers and at-home health care providers;

• Prohibiting Medicaid inpatient services from exceeding 99% of payment rates;

• Decreasing required hospital licensing fees; and

• Increasing federal aid for the reduction of substance abuse.

• Establishes the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship Program to cover 2 years of tuition  and mandatory fees for qualified students at eligible postsecondary institutions (Article 3, Sec. 1).

• Authorizes additional state funding for schools with a higher number of students that speak English as their second language (Article 18, Sec. 1).

• Appropriates funds to improve lead-safety by providing health screenings for at-risk adults and children, requiring inspections of child-care facilities and rental units, and guaranteeing lead-safe housing for pregnant women and children under the age of 6 (Article 22, Secs. 2 & 5).

• Increases the tax on cigarettes to $4.25 per pack (Article 8, Sec. 2).

• Increases the minimum hourly wage to $10.50 on October 1, 2017 (Article 20, Sec, 1).

Full Bill Text