Authorizes and fund the painting of a portrait of the president of the senate and former presidents of the senate to be hung in the senate lounge or thereabouts.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would authorize the State of Rhode Island to pay for official painted portraits of the current President of the Senate, as well as any former Presidents of the Senate who do not already have a portrait. Once completed, these portraits would be displayed in the Senate lounge or a nearby location in the State House.

The bill essentially establishes a formal tradition — and provides the funding to carry it out — of commissioning painted portraits to honor individuals who have served as the top leader of the Rhode Island Senate. This is a ceremonial and commemorative measure, similar to portrait traditions that exist in many other state legislatures and government institutions across the country.

The primary people affected are current and past Presidents of the Rhode Island Senate, who would be recognized through this permanent display. Rhode Island taxpayers would fund the cost of commissioning these portraits, though the bill does not specify an exact dollar amount in the available description. Members of the public who visit the State House could also view the portraits on display. The bill was introduced in the Senate and is awaiting a committee hearing before any further action is taken.