Environment (Conservation)

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3032: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Establishes a moratorium on changes to the state energy conservation code from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031, unless approved by the legislature and made effective by the governor.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill freezes energy conservation code updates for 7 years, preventing potential improvements in energy efficiency standards that would reduce emissions and protect environment75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 3081: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- OLD GROWTH FOREST PROTECTION ACT

Enacts the Old Growth Forest Protection Act to provide protection for state-owned forestland in their natural state prohibiting extractive logging and clearcutting in any forest on state-owned land.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly protects state-owned forestland by prohibiting extractive logging and clearcutting, directly advancing environmental conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7914: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- NATURAL FOREST PROTECTION ACT

Protects Rhode Island natural forests by banning extractive and even-age logging on state lands and preserves, allowing only limited safety, invasive removal, or selection management after review, hearings, and fines for violations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans extractive logging on state lands, requiring reviews/fines to protect natural forests, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 3, 2026

HB 7738: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Establishes a moratorium on changes to the state energy conservation code from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031, unless approved by the legislature and made effective by the governor.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyMoratorium on energy code updates prevents stronger conservation standards, restricting progress toward efficiency goals.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentMoratorium blocks updates to energy conservation code, preventing stricter environmental standards and conservation requirements until 2031.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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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 Feb 26, 2026

HB 7422: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND CLEAN AIR PRESERVATION ACT

HB 7422, the Rhode Island Clean Air Preservation Act, bans specific atmospheric experiments including solar radiation modification (SRM), cloud seeding, and other weather engineering activities that release pollutants like PFAS ("forever chemicals"). The bill prohibits entities - such as government agencies, corporations, or research organizations - from conducting these experiments, citing risks of harmful pollutants, drought, and increased wildfire hazards. Key provisions define "atmospheric activity" broadly to cover AI-driven or machine-learning systems involved in such experiments, and list banned methods like stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening. The law directly affects any organization conducting atmospheric interventions in Rhode Island, requiring compliance with the new prohibition.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans pollution-releasing atmospheric experiments (e.g., PFAS-emitting weather engineering) to protect air quality and prevent environmental harm per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation Drinking Water

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 2220: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND CLEAN AIR PRESERVATION ACT

SB 2220, the Rhode Island Clean Air Preservation Act, prohibits all atmospheric experiments that release pollutants, including cloud seeding, solar radiation modification (SRM), and other weather-altering activities. It directly affects any entity conducting such experiments - such as government agencies, corporations, NGOs, or AI systems - by banning the release of pollutants like PFAS "forever chemicals" and chaff. The bill establishes a regulatory framework under Rhode Island’s Health and Safety code to prevent atmospheric pollution, citing threats to public health, drought, and wildfire risks. This law specifically targets intentional atmospheric interventions involving aerosols, chemicals, or electromagnetic radiation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans pollutant-releasing atmospheric experiments (PFAS, chaff) to protect air quality, directly strengthening environmental regulations95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation Drinking Water

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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

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