Rhode Island Senate Bill S0668

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/7/25
• Report Pass: 6/5/25
• Engrossed: 6/12/25
• Engrossed: 6/18/25
• Passed: 6/24/25

Caption

Requires that any state agency, state institution of higher education, and quasi-public agency that engages in printing more than 50 copies of a contract, publication, brochure, notice, or promotional material to use a state-owned or operated print shop.

Impact

The bill modifies existing state laws by enforcing a preference for state-operated printing services over private firms for certain printed materials. This could reduce expenditures for state agencies as they may benefit from utilizing in-house facilities that do not involve external costs. Importantly, it encourages the optimization of state resources, which can also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting materials to and from external print shops.

Summary

Bill S0668, titled the State-Owned and Operated Printing Facilities Preference Act, mandates that any state agency, institution of higher education, and quasi-public agency that requires the printing of more than fifty copies of documents must use state-owned or operated printing facilities whenever feasible. This legislation aims to streamline and prioritize the use of existing state resources, potentially leading to cost savings and efficiency in governmental printing tasks.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding S0668 appears to lean positively among supporters who view it as a responsible use of public resources that promotes efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, there could be concerns among private printing businesses, which may see this bill as a limitation on their opportunities for government contracts. Overall, there seems to be an understanding of the need for pragmatic solutions in state operations, although stakeholders in the private sector might voice discontent.

Contention

A notable point of contention could arise regarding the practicality of this mandate. While the bill states that the use of state-owned facilities should be pursued 'when practicable', there may be instances where these facilities are unable to meet specific printing needs in terms of capacity, technological capabilities, or turnaround times. Therefore, the interpretation of what is 'practicable' could lead to disputes between state agencies and affected stakeholders, including printing companies located in the state.