Environment

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 3181: AN ACT RELATING TO THE BLUE WAVE BOND FOR COASTAL PREPAREDNESS -- 2026 BOND REFERENDUM

Proposes a bond measure authorizing the State of Rhode Island to issue up to $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds coastal preparedness and resilience projects, directly protecting natural resources and enhancing environmental adaptation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2795: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PESTICIDE CONTROL

Creates rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities that choose to participate. Reports to be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and submitted to the department of environmental management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes integrated pest management which reduces pesticide use and protects environmental health through sustainable rodent control methods.75% confidence

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2764: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

Expands RI’s Renewable Energy Standard to include nuclear and hydroelectric power as eligible zero-emission resources and sets rules for how they qualify.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands renewable energy standard to include nuclear and hydroelectric power as zero-emission resources, advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands renewable energy standard to include nuclear and hydroelectric power as zero-emission resources, advancing clean energy goals and reducing emissions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Nuclear Renewable Energy

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 8256: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $5,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) to the RI Public Transit Authority to continue services, hire and train more bus operators, and implement the State's Act on Climate goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $5M appropriation to fund public transit services, hire operators, and support climate goals, directly advancing budget allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds RI Public Transit Authority to implement State's Act on Climate goals, directly supporting environmental protection through climate action funding.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill appropriates $5M to RI Public Transit Authority for services, hiring bus operators, and climate goals, directly funding and expanding public transportation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Public Transit

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 3082: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Merges the coastal resources management council with the department of environmental management and creates the bureau of coastal resources management within the department of environmental management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental management by merging coastal resources council with DEQ, creating dedicated bureau for coastal resource management, indicating enhanced environmental oversight and protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2905: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DECARBONIZATION DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE ACT OF 2026

Creates the multi-unit residential decarbonization initiative program to provide funding for feasibility studies to convert large, multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates funding program for geothermal energy conversion in multi-family residential units, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and decarbonization goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates funding for feasibility studies to convert multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy, directly advancing environmental protection and climate change mitigation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds decarbonization of multi-family residential units, improving housing sustainability and potentially reducing long-term energy costs for tenants.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2794: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BEVERAGE CONTAINERS RECYCLING ACT

SB 2794 establishes the Beverage Container Recycling Act in Rhode Island to create a new system for recycling beverage containers. The bill defines key terms such as "covered beverage container," "producer," and "consumer" to clarify who is responsible for recycling efforts and which products are included in the program. It sets up a refund program where consumers can return empty containers at designated sites to receive refunds, with provisions for both full-service redemption sites and express redemption sites that use virtual accounts. The legislation also outlines rules for fraud prevention, requires independent audits, and includes definitions for environmental justice areas and de minimis exemptions for small businesses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes beverage container recycling system to reduce waste and promote environmental conservation through refund incentives for consumers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice Recycling

Track

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2802: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION

This bill prohibits the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation from using artificial turf to cover compacted solid waste at sanitary landfills, with an exemption for turf already installed before July 1, 2026. It also bans the use of organic materials like wood, paper, and yard waste for landfill cover unless approved as a final layer, and establishes a pilot program to test grass or plant mixes with pollinators as an alternative cover material. The Resource Recovery Corporation must submit annual reports on its activities and include data on artificial turf disposal volumes, while also reporting on the pilot program results by January 1, 2028. Facilities that violate the artificial turf prohibition face fines between $2,500 and $5,000 paid to the local city or town.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts artificial turf and organic materials at landfills, promoting pollinator-friendly plant mixes to protect environment and reduce pollution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 8271: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,000 TO 401 TECH BRIDGE TO STUDY AND EXPLORE SEAGLIDERS IN RHODE ISLAND

This bill appropriates $1,000,000 to 401 Tech Bridge to study and explore the use of seagliders in Rhode Island. The funding is intended to support a feasibility study that will assess how these electric, wing-in-ground-effect vehicles could operate in the state's maritime environment. The money will be used in partnership with the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative to evaluate potential benefits for transportation, economic development, and environmental sustainability. This resolution directly affects 401 Tech Bridge and the organizations involved in the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative by authorizing the expenditure of state funds for this research project.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $1,000,000 in funding for a feasibility study, directly advancing state budget allocation for research and development.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds study of seagliders, which are electric vehicles, advancing renewable energy and clean transportation technology in maritime environments.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds seaglider study for environmental sustainability, clean energy exploration, and maritime environment assessment.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $1M to study seagliders for potential transportation benefits, indicating support for innovative transportation solutions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending Bridges Ports

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 3012: 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 and paper, promoting recycling and reducing waste, which directly supports environmental protection and conservation goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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