StateRhode Island

SB 3242: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CHARIHO REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SERVING THE TOWNS OF CHARLESTOWN, RICHMOND AND HOPKINTON, CONSISTING OF ONE OR MORE BUILDINGS ON A SINGLE CAMPUS, AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE SWITCH ROAD CAMPUS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COSTS OF LAND ACQUISITION, DEMOLITION, DESIGN, HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECTS, PLAYGROUNDS, LANDSCAPING, PAVING, AND ALL EXPENSES INCIDENTAL THERETO, BY THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $116,000,000 BONDS AND/OR NOTES THEREFOR, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF STATE HOUSING AID AT A REIMBURSEMENT RATE OR STATE SHARE RATIO OF NOT LESS THAN 61% AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE, WHICH RATE OR RATIO MAY INCREASE TO 65% AT PROJECT COMPLETION

Victoria GuTo Governor

SB 3242 status: To Governor — 06/26/2026 Effective without Governor's signature (updated Jun 26, 2026).

1

What this bill does

Overall score

Score75/100 civic fit
RiskModerate risk
ImpactModerate impact 65/100

Bill summary

Official

This allows the Chariho School District to borrow up to $116 million to build and fully equip a new elementary school.

Key analysis

Constitutionality95%
Bipartisan70%
Public opinion75%
2

Impact analysis

Environment

Mixed / Neutral
50%

Benefits

  • Modern school construction often meets higher energy efficiency standards

Risks

  • Potential environmental disruption from land acquisition and construction activities

Economy

Positive Outlook
70%

Benefits

  • Stimulates local construction and labor markets
  • Improves regional public infrastructure

Risks

  • Increases long-term debt burden for local taxpayers
  • Fiscal reliance on state reimbursement levels

Society

Positive Outlook
80%

Benefits

  • Enhanced educational facilities for local students
  • Supports regional community growth in Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton

Risks

  • No major social downsides identified
3

How trustworthy & consequential it is

Source

OpenStates

Confidence

low

low

Analysis status

OpenStates summary

Warning

Significant long-term fiscal responsibility for the Chariho Regional School District

Limitation

Analysis based on abstract; full text and fiscal notes not provided

4

Where it stands

Introduced

Complete

Committee

Complete

Floor

Complete
4

Governor

Current

06/26/2026 Effective without Governor's signature

5

Enacted

Upcoming
5

How it affects your district

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6

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