R.I. Gen. Laws § 35-6-25
At or before the summoning in of any grand jury in any county, and from time to time during any session thereof, the deputy sheriff may estimate the amount of money requisite for the payment of the witnesses, for the officers' fees for summoning the witnesses, and for service of other criminal process in behalf of the state at any session, and until a grand jury shall again be summoned in, and, on the approval of an estimate by the attorney general, the state controller may, at any time not more than three (3) days before the summoning in of the grand jury, draw his or her order on the general treasurer in favor of the deputy sheriff for the amount of the estimated fees, and the general treasurer shall pay the order and charge fees to the account of the judicial expenses of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 35-6-25