Bill Sponsors
Kazarian, and Casimiro
Committee
House Finance
Summary
Select
This legislation mandates a specific annual funding requirement for the Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission. It directs the General Assembly to appropriate $30,000 every fiscal year from the state treasury to the Commission. These funds are explicitly designated to support the Commission's educational efforts regarding the Holocaust and genocide.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Ensures consistent government support for education regarding the dangers of fascism, hate speech, and systemic oppression, aligning with antifascist values.
- Provides guaranteed resources for a commission dedicated to social justice and historical truth, ensuring these topics remain part of the public discourse.
- Demonstrates a commitment to public funding for educational initiatives that benefit the community's moral and historical awareness.
Cons for Progressives
- The allocated sum of $30,000 is relatively small for a statewide educational initiative, potentially limiting the scope and reach of the program.
- Does not mandate specific curriculum inclusion or outreach targets, leaving the effectiveness of the spending largely up to the commission's discretion.
- Focuses funding on a specific historical commission rather than broadly increasing funding for history and social studies resources in underfunded public schools.
Pros for Conservatives
- Supports the fight against antisemitism and ensures the history of the Holocaust is preserved, aligning with traditional support for the Jewish community.
- The fiscal impact is very low and fixed at a specific dollar amount, preventing open-ended spending commitments.
- Focuses on educational awareness rather than imposing new regulations or restrictions on businesses and individuals.
Cons for Conservatives
- Mandates future government spending ("shall appropriate") regardless of the state's economic condition or revenue in a given year.
- Increases the size and scope of the administrative state by permanently funding a specific non-elected commission.
- Could be viewed as the government dictating social curriculum, which some conservatives prefer to be handled locally or by families.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Students
- Teachers
- Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission members
- Jewish Community
- Taxpayers
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
$0.02
Revenue Generated
None
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 03/11/2026 Introduced, referred to House Finance
• 04/24/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/28/2026)
• 04/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 04/24/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/28/2026)
• 04/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 16-93.1 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Holocaust and Genocide Education Commission [see Title 16 Chapter 97 — the Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
16-93.1-8. Annual appropriation.
The general assembly shall appropriate, out of money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated during any given fiscal year, the sum of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) annually to the commission in furtherance of their education efforts.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
16-93.1-8. Annual appropriation.
The general assembly shall appropriate, out of money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated during any given fiscal year, the sum of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) annually to the commission in furtherance of their education efforts.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.