Environment

died · Rhode Island · House May 27, 2026

HB 7911: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING AND PAPER ACT

Creates multiple chapters to provide and establish a comprehensive program for extended producer responsibility for packaging and paper, and for recycling of beverage containers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes extended producer responsibility for packaging/paper recycling, reducing waste and promoting resource conservation per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2691: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates housing densities not exceed water availability and prevent pollution in watersheds, strengthening environmental protections for water resources and pollution control.92% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEliminates density bonuses for housing development in watersheds, restricting housing density requirements that would advance affordable housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Land Use Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 8133: AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- LICENSING

HB 8133 imposes a new fee of $0.01 for every 10,000 gallons of treated wastewater discharged by facilities. It directly affects municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants that release effluent into waterways. The bill establishes this specific fee structure to generate revenue for fish and wildlife conservation programs. This is a direct financial obligation on wastewater operators, not a regulatory change to discharge standards. The fee applies to all eligible discharges under the bill's definition.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new wastewater fee to fund fish/wildlife conservation, directly generating revenue for public programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes wastewater fee to fund fish/wildlife conservation programs, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated revenue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Conservation Wildlife

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 7484: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- BUILDINGS CARBON EMISSIONS REDUCTION ACT

Requires large developments, those to be constructed on a parcel of land that is greater than 50,000 square feet in size provide carbon impact reports as part of the permitting process prior to approval and issuance of a building permit.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires carbon impact reports for large buildings, promoting emissions reduction and aligning with clean energy infrastructure goals through regulatory permitting measures.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires carbon impact reports for large developments, directly aiming to reduce emissions through mandatory assessments before permitting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7530: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Exempts homes under two thousand (2,000) square feet from automatic statewide IECC energy mandates, allowing municipalities to decide whether to adopt climate-focused building code requirements for small and modest homes.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExempts small homes from statewide IECC energy mandates, weakening uniform climate-focused building code requirements by allowing municipalities to opt out.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts small homes from automatic IECC energy mandates, weakening statewide climate-focused building code requirements and allowing municipalities to opt out of environmental standards.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts small homes from energy mandates, reducing construction costs and potentially enabling more affordable housing development by easing regulatory burdens.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 7582: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

HB 7582 requires all public schools to conduct regular indoor air quality inspections - including HVAC system evaluations - at least once every five years. The inspections must assess environmental factors like temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10), and schools with HVAC systems must install filters meeting MERV 13 standards or the highest feasible level without harming system performance. Results must be shared with school principals, boards, and the education department, while the state must submit annual reports to the legislature on progress and funding needs for school air quality improvements. This bill directly affects public school buildings and their management, aiming to create healthier learning environments through science-based air quality standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school air quality inspections and HVAC standards to improve student health/safety, directly enhancing school infrastructure and environmental conditions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires MERV 13 filters and inspections to reduce indoor air pollutants (PM2.5/PM10), directly advancing pollution control measures in schools.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school air quality inspections and MERV 13 filters to prevent respiratory issues, aligning with public health protection under healthcare topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2534: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- MICROPLASTICS REDUCTION ACT

SB 2534, the Microplastics Reduction Act, prohibits manufacturers from selling, offering for sale, or distributing products containing intentionally added synthetic polymer microplastics (at or above 0.01% concentration) starting January 1, 2030. It directly affects product manufacturers and importers, including those selling cosmetics, cleaners, or personal care items containing these microplastics. The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Management to develop a public microplastics testing plan by July 2029 and a statewide strategy plan by January 2030 to assess environmental impacts and recommend solutions. These plans will guide future monitoring and policy decisions regarding microplastic pollution.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits intentionally added microplastics in consumer products, directly reducing pollution and advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7913: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

HB 7913 would require food service businesses (like restaurants and cafes) to make single-use plastic straws available for customers to take directly from a dispenser, rather than automatically providing them. This changes current practice by shifting responsibility to the customer to actively take a straw if desired. The law would take effect immediately upon passage, applying to all covered establishments. It directly affects how businesses distribute straws but does not ban plastic straws or alter other food service regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces unnecessary plastic straw use by requiring businesses to make them available for customer pickup, directly addressing plastic pollution and waste reduction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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died · Rhode Island · House May 27, 2026

HB 7910: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR PACKAGING AND PAPER ACT

HB 7910 creates a program requiring companies that produce packaging and paper products (like food containers, boxes, and paper goods) to manage their recycling. It directly affects manufacturers and brands by shifting the financial and operational responsibility for recycling these materials from taxpayers and local governments to the producers themselves. Key provisions mandate that producers fund, organize, and oversee the recycling system for their packaging and paper waste, rather than relying on public recycling programs. This policy change aims to increase recycling rates and reduce landfill waste by making producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesShifts recycling costs from taxpayers to producers, reducing state budget burden and promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentShifts recycling responsibility to producers, reducing waste and pollution through extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2658: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICE

SB 2658 creates a new regulatory category for small portable solar generation devices used in residential settings. It directly affects homeowners who install these portable solar systems, clarifying how they interact with public utility regulations. The bill establishes specific rules for these devices under utility law, ensuring they are treated separately from larger residential or commercial solar installations. This provides a clear framework for utilities to manage connections and billing for portable systems without requiring major infrastructure changes. The bill focuses on defining the scope of these devices within existing utility frameworks.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates regulatory framework for residential portable solar, enabling adoption by clarifying utility interactions and billing rules.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes regulatory framework for residential portable solar devices, enabling clean energy adoption and reducing grid reliance, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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