R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-10-13: Payments from treasury.

The general treasurer shall pay from the state treasury on orders of the state controller such sums of money as may from time to time be required for the payment of the principal and interest on the bonded debt, for lawful orders of the governor, and for appropriations made by the general assembly, but no money shall be paid from the treasury, except for principal and interest due on the bonded debt, unless it shall have been appropriated to the purposes for which it is to be paid and upon orders of the state controller.