R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-27-4: Appropriations and disbursements.

The general assembly shall annually appropriate, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, a sum sufficient to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of that sum, or so much thereof as may be required from time to time, upon the receipt by him or her of properly authenticated vouchers.