Rhode IslandScituate voters will decide notice rules for large budget motions
At Scituate’s November 3, 2026 election, voters will decide whether people must give advance notice for large budget motions at the annual June financial meeting.
What it does
At Scituate’s annual June financial meeting, a motion changing a council-recommended budget item by $10,000 or more needs advance notice signed by ten qualified voters. Smaller changes to a noticed motion may still be considered.
Argument forVoters could review large proposed budget changes before the meeting because notices must appear in the warrant or online at least seven days ahead.
Argument againstPeople who want to change a large budget item from the floor may lose that option if they miss the notice deadline or cannot get ten qualified voters to sign.
More detail
People proposing a motion to change a council-recommended appropriation by $10,000 or more must give advance notice. This rule applies to Scituate's annual financial town meeting on the first Tuesday in June, not special meetings. The council must make its budget recommendation by the fourth Thursday in April and post it online within seven calendar days. At least ten qualified Scituate voters must sign the notice, and the town treasurer must receive it by May 15. The notice must appear in the meeting warrant or on the town website at least seven days before the meeting. Once a motion has been noticed, the meeting may consider changes to it for a smaller amount. These rules take effect only if a majority of voters voting on the question approve the law at the November 3, 2026 election.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2406/24/2026 Effective without Governor's signatureLatest
- Jun 1606/16/2026 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 1106/11/2026 Senate passed as amended in concurrencePassed Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded AS AMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 1106/11/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)Minor
- Jun 1106/11/2026 House passed as amended (floor amendment)Passed House
- Jun 1006/10/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/11/2026)Minor
- Jun 806/08/2026 Committee recommends passageMinor
- Jun 506/05/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/08/2026)
- May 2605/26/2026 Committee postponed at request of sponsor
- May 2205/22/2026 Scheduled for consideration (05/26/2026)
- May 2105/21/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further studyMinor
- May 1505/15/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/21/2026)
- May 1305/13/2026 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & HousingIntroduced
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