H8209 • 2026

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC) (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $250,000 to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC).)

Budget

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Morales, Sanchez, Giraldo, Cruz, Potter, Tanzi
Last action: 2026-05-12
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC) (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $250,000 to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC).)

What This Bill Does

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC) (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $250,000 to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC).)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-05-12 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-05-08 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/12/2026)
2026-02-27 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to House Finance

Official Summary Text

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC) (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $250,000 to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC).)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H8209

2026 -- H 8209
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LC005676
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC)

Introduced By:
Representatives Morales, Sanchez, Giraldo, Cruz, Potter, and Tanzi

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
1
WHEREAS, The Refugee Dream Center (RDC), located in the City of Providence, is a
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nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded by Dr. Omar Bah in 2015, with a primary focus on resettlement and
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assistance with the challenges faced by refugees when they come to the United States; and
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WHEREAS, The RDC “offers assistance in finding employment, education, and housing,
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while also providing essential skills and knowledge such as navigating the U.S. healthcare
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system, improving English language proficiency, and guiding individuals on the path to
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citizenship”; and
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WHEREAS, Under newly signed executive orders, the State Department’s refugee
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program is now suspended and the Refugee Dream Center (RDC) has lost federal funding and
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staff; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not
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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2025-2026, the sum of two hundred fifty thousand
13
dollars ($250,000) to the Refugee Dream Center (RDC); and the state controller is hereby
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authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said
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sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly
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authenticated vouchers.
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LC005676
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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 $250,000 TO THE REFUGEE DREAM CENTER (RDC)
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1
This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $250,000 to the Refugee
2
Dream Center (RDC).
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LC005676
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