R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-17-3
When the governor shall have executed the compact on behalf of this state and caused a copy thereof to be filed in the office of the secretary of state, as required by § 46-17-2, and the compact shall have been ratified by any three (3) or more of the states named in article X thereof in accordance with the constitution and laws of the states, and when the United States has provided by law for the designation of its representation on the commission, then the compact shall become operative and effective between this state and other members of the compact. The governor is hereby authorized and directed, upon the execution of the compact by the governor and the filing of the required copy thereof in the office of the secretary of state, to notify forthwith the governors of the named states and the president of the United States, that this state on its part has ratified the compact. The original notice of ratification received from the governor or other duly authorized official of any member joining in the compact shall be filed with the official copy of the compact in the office of the secretary of state; and the notice, if any, as may be received from the president or the congress of the United States, signifying that the United States has provided by law for the designation of its representation on the commission, shall be filed in the same manner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-17-3