Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7988: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Charges a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each battery powered elective motor vehicle safety inspection. It would also require any vehicle, regardless of gross vehicle weight rating, to be subject to emissions inspection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires emissions inspections for all vehicles, a standard pollution control measure to reduce vehicle emissions and protect air quality.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires emissions inspections for all vehicles, enhancing transportation safety standards through regulatory enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7523: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

Establishes a five (5) year moratorium from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2031, on the RE growth program charge, renewable energy distribution charge and the energy efficiency programs public policy charges on electricity bills.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMoratorium on utility charges provides direct tax relief for electricity consumers by pausing specific fees on bills.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyMoratorium on renewable energy and energy efficiency program charges directly defunds clean energy initiatives, weakening renewable energy development and efficiency programs.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentMoratorium on renewable energy and efficiency program charges defunds environmental initiatives, directly opposing climate action efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HR 7705: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $40,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

This bill appropriates $40,000 from the state treasury to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for participation in the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact (NFFPC). The NFFPC is a mutual aid agreement among seven New England states, New York, and five Canadian provinces that allows states to share firefighting resources during large wildfires. Rhode Island uses this compact to access specialized equipment and personnel from other jurisdictions when local resources are overwhelmed, and this funding covers the state's share of costs for wages, transportation, and maintenance when requesting assistance. The bill does not change the compact's rules but ensures Rhode Island meets its financial obligations under the existing agreement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $40k from state treasury for DEM's firefighting compact participation, funding essential public safety program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds DEM participation in wildfire compact to protect forests and natural resources through mutual firefighting aid95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Forestry

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7620: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE CONVERSION FACILITY ACT

HB 7620 prohibits the construction and operation of new plastic waste conversion facilities in Rhode Island. The bill bans permits for facilities that use "regulated technologies" (including gasification, pyrolysis, and chemical processes) to convert plastic waste into fuels, chemical feedstocks, or other products. It directly affects developers seeking to build such facilities and aims to prevent environmental and health risks linked to toxic emissions and hazardous waste. The law defines these facilities broadly to include "advanced recycling" or "molecular recycling" operations, regardless of how they are marketed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans plastic waste conversion facilities to prevent toxic emissions and environmental harm, directly advancing protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Recycling

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7998: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

Requires the governor, when presenting his proposed budget articles for each fiscal year to set forth the climate considerations that were undertaken to move the state towards the mandated goals set forth in the 2021 Act on Climate.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates climate considerations in budgeting to meet state climate goals, advancing renewable energy infrastructure and clean energy policy alignment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires climate considerations in budget to advance state climate goals, directly supporting environmental protection and climate action per the 2021 Act on Climate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 2655: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION SITING AND REGULATORY ACT

Requires applications for energy facilities to take into consideration the 2021 Act on Climate and how the facility may advance or delay the greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires energy facility applications to advance greenhouse gas emissions reductions per climate law, directly supporting clean energy transition and emissions goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires energy facility applications to consider advancing greenhouse gas reductions per 2021 Climate Act, directly aligning with emissions reduction goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transmission Climate Change

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2654: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND CLEAN HEAT STANDARD ACT

SB 2654 establishes a Rhode Island Clean Heat Standards Program requiring heating providers to meet annual clean heat targets through a system of tradeable credits. Providers using cleaner heating sources (like renewable energy) earn credits they can sell to others who fall short of their targets. This market-based system aims to gradually increase the use of clean heat across the state without mandating specific technologies. The program directly affects heating providers, utilities, and businesses using significant thermal energy in Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes Clean Heat Standard with tradeable credits to increase clean heat use, promoting renewable energy sources and reducing fossil fuel dependence through market-based targets.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes market-based clean heat targets requiring providers to use renewable energy sources, directly reducing emissions and promoting clean energy adoption in heating systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7618: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- PROTECTION OF TREES AND PLANTS GENERALLY

Increases the maximum penalty for certain violations related to the cutting, removal, damage by injurious liquids or gases to trees, plants and shrubs on any public highway or public land under the jurisdiction of state agencies from $500 to $1,000.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases penalties for damaging trees/plants on public land, strengthening protection of natural resources and conservation efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7736: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION

This bill prohibits Rhode Island landfills from using artificial turf to cover compacted solid waste after July 1, 2026, except for existing installations installed before that date. It requires the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRC) to track artificial turf disposal volumes and include annual reports on this data. The bill also establishes a pilot program testing native plants and pollinator-friendly grass mixes as landfill cover, with results due by January 1, 2028. These changes apply to all sanitary landfills operated under RIRC's oversight.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits artificial turf landfill cover after 2026 and mandates native plant/pollinator pilot program, advancing conservation and reducing synthetic material use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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died · Rhode Island · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 7752: AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTIONS -- CLIMATE DISASTER ACTIONS

Creates legal cause of action for persons/insurers to recover losses resulting from climate disaster against petroleum product producers based upon strict liability for deceptive/false statements as to climate impacts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates strict liability for petroleum producers' deceptive climate claims, enabling recovery for climate disaster losses. Strengthens accountability for environmental harm.90% confidence

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