Rhode IslandScituate voters decide whether large budget motions need advance notice
If Scituate voters approve the act on November 3, 2026, people proposing large budget changes at the annual town meeting would need advance notice signed by ten voters.
What it does
At Scituate’s annual financial town meeting, a motion to change a recommended budget item by $10,000 or more would need advance notice signed by ten voters, if the town posts its budget on time.
Argument forAdvance notice could give residents time to learn about major budget changes before Scituate’s annual financial meeting.
Argument againstThe May 15 deadline and ten-signature requirement could make it harder for residents to raise large budget changes at the annual meeting.
More detail
People proposing a motion to raise or lower a recommended budget item by $10,000 or more must give the town treasurer notice signed by at least ten qualified town voters. The rule covers motions at Scituate’s annual financial town meeting to raise or lower an item in the Town Council’s recommended budget by $10,000 or more. This rule applies only if the Town Council makes its budget recommendation by the fourth Thursday in April and posts it on the town website within seven days. The notice must be included in the meeting warrant or posted on the town website at least seven days before the meeting. After notice is given, the meeting may consider an amendment to the motion for a smaller amount. The rule does not apply to special meetings. Notice is due by May 15 before the annual meeting, held on the first Tuesday in June. This rule takes effect only if a majority of voters approve the act at the November 3, 2026 election.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- 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 Sub A as amended in concurrenceMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded AS AMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 1106/11/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)Minor
- Jun 1106/11/2026 House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)Passed House
- Jun 1106/11/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/11/2026)Minor
- Jun 1006/10/2026 Senate passed Sub APassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 906/09/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/10/2026)Minor
- Jun 906/09/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub AMinor
- Jun 806/08/2026 Proposed SubstituteMajor
- Jun 506/05/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/09/2026)
- Jun 306/03/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further studyMinor
- Jun 106/01/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/03/2026)
- May 2805/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further studyMinor
- May 2605/26/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/28/2026)
- May 2205/22/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal GovernmentIntroduced
Government & Ethics