Environment

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7342: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL WASTE RECYCLING AND REFUSE DISPOSAL

Amends certain provisions relative to school waste recycling and refuse disposal and requires reports of waste audits by educational entities and reports of program participation by vendors.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates school waste recycling audits and vendor participation reports to reduce landfill waste and promote recycling, directly advancing environmental protection through waste management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7068: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ENERGY FACILITY SITING ACT

This bill amends Rhode Island's Energy Facility Siting Act to expand oversight of regional transmission projects. It requires applicants for major energy facilities (like transmission lines over 69kV or power plants over 40MW) to analyze climate impacts - including greenhouse gas emissions and health effects - and consider grid-enhancing technologies (such as dynamic line rating or advanced power flow control) as alternatives to new infrastructure. The siting board must now evaluate projects based on these new criteria when reviewing applications. The changes directly affect energy developers, utilities, and the board during the permitting process.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires climate impact analysis and grid tech alternatives, promoting cleaner energy integration and reducing emissions per bill's mandates.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires climate impact analysis including GHG emissions and evaluates grid tech alternatives, advancing environmental protection in energy projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Transmission Climate Change

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 7184: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS ACT OF 2026

Directs the office of energy resources to develop building performance standards for large buildings in Rhode Island that would cause greenhouse gas emissions to decline in line with the act on climate requirements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDirects development of building performance standards to reduce GHG emissions per climate requirements, advancing energy efficiency and emissions reduction goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates GHG emission reductions for large buildings to meet climate requirements, directly advancing environmental protection and climate goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2218: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS ACT OF 2026

Directs the office of energy resources to develop building performance standards for large buildings in Rhode Island that would cause greenhouse gas emissions to decline in line with the act on climate requirements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates building performance standards to reduce GHG emissions in line with climate requirements, advancing energy efficiency goals through building sector reforms.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects development of building standards to reduce GHG emissions per climate requirements, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

vetoed · Rhode Island · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 7183: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING BENCHMARKING AND REPORTING ACT OF 2026

HB 7183 requires owners of large Rhode Island buildings (25,000+ gross square feet) to annually track and report energy use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Buildings over 50,000 sq ft must report starting May 15, 2028, while those between 25,000-49,999 sq ft begin reporting May 15, 2030. The Office of Energy Resources will collect this data, publish it publicly to increase market transparency, and host annual information sessions for building owners. Exemptions are available for unoccupied properties, ongoing demolition, or lack of energy service during the reporting year.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy benchmarking for large buildings to drive efficiency gains, using ENERGY STAR data transparency to promote reduced energy use and emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates GHG emissions tracking for large buildings, promoting transparency and data-driven environmental protection under climate action framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 2222: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ECONOMIC AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE ACT OF 2026

SB 2222 establishes a fee on fossil fuel sellers (like gasoline, diesel, and natural gas companies) operating in Rhode Island. The collected fees will fund the "Economic and Climate Resilience Fund," which will support clean energy programs, energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households and small businesses, and worker transition initiatives for jobs in low-carbon industries. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address climate impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities, and help Rhode Island meet its 2035 emissions goals. This is a proposed legislative measure introduced in January 2026 and not yet enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes fossil fuel fee to fund clean energy, efficiency, and worker programs, directly advancing fiscal management through targeted taxation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds clean energy programs, energy efficiency, and low-carbon worker transitions via fossil fuel fees to reduce emissions and advance climate resilience.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentImposes fossil fuel fees to fund clean energy programs, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction, directly advancing climate resilience and environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly funds 'worker transition initiatives for jobs in low-carbon industries' through the Economic and Climate Resilience Fund, directly advancing labor employment support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Oil & Gas Renewable Energy Climate Change

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 2223: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY OF MOTOR VEHICLE NON-EXHAUST PARTICLE EMISSIONS

Requires the department of transportation, in consultation with the department of environmental management also to conduct an environmental impact study of motor vehicle non-exhaust particle emissions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental impact study on vehicle emissions, advancing pollution control through data collection for potential future regulations.95% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2356: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

SB 2356 transfers management of the Big River Reservoir from the Water Resources Board to Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Effective July 1, 2026, DEM will assume responsibility for all land use planning and rule-making related to the reservoir, while existing management rules remain in effect until DEM establishes new regulations. This bill directly affects DEM (which gains new administrative authority) and the Water Resources Board (which loses this specific responsibility). The key mechanism is the formal transfer of management duties, streamlining oversight under DEM’s existing environmental authority without altering the reservoir’s legal status or public access.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransferring reservoir management to DEM (environmental agency) consolidates oversight under dedicated environmental authority, strengthening regulatory control without weakening protections.95% confidence

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 7074: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE ROADS

Requires the department of transportation to plant pollinator friendly native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and plants within limits of a roadway, including state highways

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires DOT to plant pollinator-friendly native species along roadways, directly advancing habitat conservation and biodiversity protection.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SR 2225: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- GREEN AMENDMENT

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment (the "Green Amendment") that would establish a fundamental right for all Rhode Island residents to clean air, water, healthy soil, a safe climate, and the preservation of natural environmental values. It would require the state to act as a trustee of natural resources, conserving them for current and future generations equitably, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or income. The amendment must be approved by voters in the next statewide general election to take effect on January 1, 2027. If passed, it would directly affect every resident and impose new constitutional obligations on state actions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes constitutional right to clean air/water/climate, requires state as trustee for natural resources, directly advances environmental protections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

Track