JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, the official text

S2558 2026 -- S 2558 ======== LC005240 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Introduced By: Senators Bissaillon, Mack, Acosta, and DiPalma Date Introduced: February 13, 2026 Referred To: Senate Finance 1 WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) was formed in 2011 2 for the purposes of advancing business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority 3 businesses in Rhode Island; and 4 WHEREAS, RIBBA assists those businesses through business development, 5 entrepreneurship training, business advocacy, contracting, workforce development, and access to 6 capital; and 7 WHEREAS, RIBBA’s membership includes those individuals and businesses of all sizes 8 regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, abilities, socioeconomic status, culture, sexual orientation, 9 and gender identity and the services and programs offered by RIBBA are open to all Rhode 10 Islanders; and 11 WHEREAS, The organization is one hundred percent (100%) funded through 12 government grants, corporate grants and public support; now, therefore be it 13 RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not 14 otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars 15 ($200,000) to the Rhode Island Black Business Association to assist its efforts and services to 16 entrepreneurs, business owners, and employers in Rhode Island; and the state controller is hereby 17 authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, 18 or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly authenticated 1 vouchers. ======== LC005240 ======== LC005240 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION *** 1 This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $200,000 to the Rhode 2 Island Black Business Association. ======== LC005240 ======== LC005240 - Page 3 of 3