Environment

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2438: 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 programs and audits, promoting resource conservation and reduced landfill waste - directly advances environmental protection through waste management requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 7623: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION -- STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS METRICS

Requires that the division of planning create a checklist of environmental and energy issues that state construction projects which cost in excess of $10,000,000 would need to consider.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental/energy checklist for major projects, mandating consideration of environmental factors in state construction planning.90% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 7734: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- CONSUMER PFAS BAN ACT OF 2024

HB 7734 is an amendment to the existing Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024, clarifying how enforcement of the ban will be carried out. It does not expand the ban to new products or change the list of covered items (like carpets, cookware, cosmetics, or menstrual products). The bill specifically refines definitions related to "intentionally added PFAS" and enforcement procedures to ensure consistent application by the Department of Environmental Management. This amendment directly affects manufacturers and importers of the covered products listed in the original law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends PFAS ban enforcement to strengthen environmental protection by clarifying definitions and ensuring consistent application of existing pollution controls on toxic chemicals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8144: AN ACT RELATING TO CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -- 2026 BOND REFERENDA

Submits the state's 2026 capital development program relating to green bonds requesting the issuance of general obligation bonds totaling $60,000,000 for approval of the electorate at the general election to be held in November, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill requests $60M in general obligation bonds for capital development program, advancing state budget allocation for infrastructure funding.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyGreen bonds explicitly fund clean energy infrastructure, aligning with renewable energy investment and infrastructure development indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly uses 'green bonds' for $60M capital program, directly funding environmental projects per terminology and purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HR 7524: HOUSE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY URGING THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT AND TAKE ACTION TO EXPAND THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CAPACITY INTO NEW ENGLAND

HR 7524 is a Rhode Island House resolution urging Governor Daniel McKee to support regional efforts to expand natural gas pipeline capacity into New England. It addresses Rhode Island's heavy reliance on natural gas for electricity (87% of in-state generation) and high energy costs, noting current pipeline capacity limits force reliance on costlier, higher-emission fuels during winter peaks, contributing to residential electricity rates double the national average (32.3¢/kWh vs. 16.4¢/kWh). The resolution does not create new law but formally requests the governor join Northeast governors in advocating for pipeline infrastructure to stabilize energy prices and reduce supply risks. This directly affects Rhode Island residents and ratepayers facing elevated energy costs due to current infrastructure constraints.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyUrges expansion of natural gas pipelines, favoring fossil fuel infrastructure over renewable energy development per bill's explicit focus on pipeline capacity for natural gas.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill claims expanding gas pipelines will reduce emissions by replacing higher-emission fuels during winter peaks, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 8132: 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 EnergyFunds feasibility studies for geothermal conversion in multi-family units, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and decarbonization goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds feasibility studies for geothermal decarbonization of residential units, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and emission reduction per bill title/summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HR 8210: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,300,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

DEM) TO TRANSPLANT QUAHOGS INTO NARRAGANSETT BAY AND ESTABLISH A SHELLFISH HATCHERY PROGRAM (This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $2,300,000 to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for the transplantation of quahogs and the establishment of a shellfish hatchery program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2.3M for environmental program, directly funding state spending on a specific initiative per budgetary appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds shellfish hatchery and quahog transplantation for Narragansett Bay ecosystem restoration, supporting marine conservation and water quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7506: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7506 exempts sales tax on batteries that store solar power for on-site use (behind-the-meter systems) when connected to solar photovoltaic installations. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and property owners purchasing such battery systems for solar energy storage. The bill amends the state's sales tax code to add this exemption under existing tax categories, removing the sales tax burden specifically for these renewable energy storage components. It does not change tax rates for other items or create new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on solar batteries, providing tax relief for renewable energy storage, directly advancing fiscal support for green initiatives within taxation policy.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts sales tax on solar storage batteries, reducing costs for renewable energy adoption and directly supporting behind-the-meter solar systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts sales tax on solar storage batteries, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing barriers to clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7541: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR NEW HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT AND NEW INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES

Requires all major hospitals within the state constructed or substantially renovated or expanded on or after 1/1/2028 to use renewable energy sources for power.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates renewable energy use for new hospitals, directly advancing renewable energy adoption in infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates renewable energy use for hospitals, reducing emissions and promoting clean energy infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2439: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PESTICIDE CONTROL

Restricts application of pesticides and rodenticides at schools and childcare centers and requires schools to provide copies of notice to parents and guardians.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts pesticide use at schools, reducing chemical pollution exposure and aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

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