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3/3/2026
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Media Advisory: Senate Education Committee to hear bills on school meal transaction fees, constitutional amendment on education
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STATE HOUSE – The Senate Education Committee will hold hearings tomorrow on several bills, including one to limit transaction and processing fees for school meals and another to ask voters to amend the state constitution to guarantee an adequate, equitable and meaningful education to all.
The committee meets Wednesday, March 4, at 4 p.m. in Room 313 on the third floor of the State House. Among the bills scheduled for hearings are:
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2026-S 2635 — Sponsored by Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence), this bill would limit transaction and processing fees for school meals and require that districts provide at least one way to pay for school meals without fees.
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2026-S 2018 — This bill sponsored by Sen. Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) would submit to voters a referendum to amend the state constitution to guarantee Rhode Island residents with equal opportunity to receive an education that is adequate, equitable and meaningful and provides judicial enforcement.
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2026-S 2078 — Sponsored by Education Committee Chairwoman Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), the School Libraries Act would ensure that every public school has a school library in a permanent and dedicated space and a certified school librarian.
The meeting will be televised by Capitol Television on Cox channels 15 and 61 for high definition; i3Broadband (Formerly Full Channel) channel 15; and Verizon channel 34. Senate committee hearings may also air on Channel 75 for Cox Subscribers. Livestreaming is available at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv
Any written testimony must be emailed to SLegislation@rilegislature.gov prior to 3 p.m. Wednesday for the bills being heard that day in order for it to be provided to the members of the committee at the hearing and to be included in the meeting records. Testimony will become a public record.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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