R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-12-5: Annual appropriations.

The general assembly shall annually appropriate a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of §§ 36-12-1—36-12-5. The state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum, or so much thereof as may be required from time to time, upon receipt by him or her of properly authenticated vouchers.