R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-17
The amounts which the state, cities, and towns shall receive from the appropriations provided for in this chapter, shall annually be determined by the state controller upon filing by the director of transportation of a report setting forth the number of miles of roads within the state and within each city and town which are functionally classified as: principal arterials, minor arterials, major collectors, minor collectors, and urban collectors, and within each city and town of the total number of motor vehicle registrations. The state controller is hereby authorized and directed, upon receipt by him or her of the report as provided in this section, to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer in favor of the respective state budget officer for the payment of such sums, as may from time to time be required, or become due to the respective state, city, or town under the provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall affect the federal aid transportation program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 24-8-17