R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-8: Distribution of reports — Payment of cost.

Whenever the reporter shall cause to be published, as provided in § 8-1-7, an edition of a volume of reports, he or she may retain for his or her own use twenty-five (25) copies. The remainder of the edition he or she shall deliver to the secretary of state, and shall assign to the secretary of state, for the use of the state, the copyright of the volume, if it shall have been copyrighted. Upon the delivery, and upon the assignment in case of a copyright, the state controller shall draw his or her order upon the general treasurer for the cost of the edition upon receipt by him or her of proper vouchers authenticated by the reporter and approved by the state purchasing agent.