R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-17-18: Reimbursement of cities and towns for suppression.

Whenever any city or town expends funds for the suppression or elimination of Dutch elm disease in conformity with the plan created pursuant to § 2-17-7, it may request reimbursement from the state to the extent of one-half (½) of the total cost of labor and material used in that work. The work and cost records involved shall be inspected and approved by the director of environmental management, or his or her deputies, before reimbursement is made by the state.