Environment Council of Rhode Island

...building an ecologically healthy future in a sustainable economy

Watch List - 2022

ECRI may or may not have an official stance on these bills. People interested in tracking legislation during the session are encouraged to sign up for an account in the General Assembly's Bill Tracker system.
Click on blue-titled columns to sort by that field.

Bill Title House Bill # & Sponsor Senate Bill & Sponsor House Committee Senate Committee House Bill Status Senate Bill Statussort descending ECRI Position
Solar Panel Fee

Requires a yearly deposit of $200 per solar panel into an escrow account for the future disposal and exempts residential homeowners from the deposit.

7126
Patricia L. Morgan
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
State Budget 2023

State Budget for 2023

7123
Marvin L. Abney
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance Signed Legislative Priority
**
All-Electric Building Act

This bill would provide that no city or town would issue a permit for the construction of new buildings that are not an all-electric building, if the initial application for a permit was submitted after December 31, 2023, unless certain circumstances apply. Exceptions would be for restaurants, hospitals, medical facilities or biolabs.

7374
Brandon C. Potter
2021-2022 House Committee on Municipal Government & Housing Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Prohibits Waste in Construction Fill

Prohibits the use of hazardous waste or solid waste as fill on any construction site project and renders the use of such soil as fill a felony.

7413
Lauren Carson
2021-2022 House Committee on Judiciary Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Solar on developed sites and schools

Provides that certain eligible net metering systems projects, including solar siting, cannot be sited in Conservation Opportunity Areas (C)As) [also referred to as "solar on developed sites and schools"].

7531
June S. Speakman
2021-2022 House Committee on Corporations Held For Further Study Legislative Priority
**
Green Buildings Act #2

 Creates the building performance standards act to, by way of benchmarking and reporting, create a statewide analysis of energy use and ways to increase energy efficiency.

7850
Rebecca M. Kislak
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Greenhouse Gas Pollution Standards

Establishes the greenhouse gas pollution standards project to ensure the state achieves the emission reduction goals of the act on climate as those projects pertain to transportation alternatives and projects.

7851
Brandon C. Potter
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Public Use of Private Lands

Changes the definition of owner to exclude the state and municipalities for the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.

8037
Robert E. Craven Sr.
2021-2022 House Committee on Judiciary Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Defines high tide line re public access

Provides a definition of the Recognizable High Tide Line for the Public's Rights and Privileges of the Shore.

8055
Terri Cortvriend
2021-2022 House Committee on Judiciary Passed House - Sent to Senate Legislative Agenda
**
Bond Request for Transit Improvement

Submits 2022 capital development program requesting the issuance of $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds to the voters for approval at the November 8, 2022, general election.

8112
Teresa Ann Tanzi
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Bond Request for Bicycle Mobility

Submits 2022 capital development program requesting the issuance of $25,000,000 in general obligation bonds to the voters for approval at the November 8, 2022, general election.

8113
Teresa Ann Tanzi
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Funds DeM AoC Outreach and Engagement

This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $150,000 to the Department of Environmental Management.

8179
Lauren Carson
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Funds DEM AoC Public Education and PR

This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $150,000 to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for the creation of a public relations and communications plan.

8180
Lauren Carson
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Funds DEM AoC Climate Dashboard

This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $250,000 to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for the creation of a climate dashboard.)

8181
Lauren Carson
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance Held For Further Study Legislative Agenda
**
Prohibits Canned Hunting (Slater)

This act would prohibit captive hunting for domestic or wild animals. This act does not prohibit the release of upland game birds for hunting on licensed shooting preserves.

7439
Scott Slater
2651
Alana DiMario
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Judiciary Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
EFSA Requires GHG Consideration

This legislation requires carbon-emissions-reduction goals be considered in energy plant siting proceedings.

7336
Michelle E. McGaw
2179
Jeanine Calkin
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Energy Facility Siting Act (Revises EFSA and EFSB)

This bill increases membership of the EFSB from 3 to 5 members & revises siting process to mandate public/municipal participation.

2392
Jessica de la Cruz
2021-2022 Senate Committee on Judiciary Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Bottle Deposit Required .10 + .04

This act would create a refundable ten cent ($0.10) deposit for non-reusable beverage containers. A four cent ($0.04) handling fee would be paid by distributors.

7378
Carol Hagan McEntee
2300
Bridget G. Valverde
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Comprehensive PFAS Ban Act 2022

Prohibits use of PFAS in carpets, upholstered furniture, textile furnishings, apparel, cosmetics, juvenile products, cookware, firefighting foam and gives authority to the department of environmental management to regulate and the use.

7436
Terri Cortvriend
2449
Alana DiMario
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
LIHEAP With Tiered Enhancement

This bill creates an income-sensitive, tiered subsidy program to ensure that home energy utility costs are affordable for eligible low-income households.

7530
Scott Slater
2182
V. Susan Sosnowski
2021-2022 House Committee on Corporations 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Finance Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Ocean State Climate And Resilience (OSCAR) Petroleum Fund

This bill would Impose an adaption fee on every barrel of petroleum products and asphalt products received at a marine terminal within this state.

2293
Ryan W. Pearson
2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Electric Transportation Act

Provides for a plan and structure to transition to green energy in motor and other vehicles

7653
Terri Cortvriend
2448
Alana DiMario
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Polystyrene Foam Ban

This act would prohibit a covered establishment from preparing, selling, processing orproviding food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam.

7063
David A. Bennett
2050
Joshua Miller
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Stops Incentivizing Gas Hookups

Climate incentives for connecting new gas customers.

2687
Dawn Euer
2021-2022 Senate Committee on Commerce Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Parking Facilities - EV Charging Stations

Requires installation of designated electric vehicle parking spaces, with charging capabilities, by certain business/municipalities/housing developments in existing/new/expanded parking lots as of 1/1/23.

7112
Michelle E. McGaw
2209
Kendra Anderson
2021-2022 House Committee on Corporations 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Climate Literacy Act

Requires RI Dept of Education to implement a plan ensuring that students enrolled in public schools become climate literate by graduation from high school.

7275
Terri Cortvriend
2039
Valarie J. Lawson
2021-2022 House Committee on Education 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Education Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging

This act would enact the extended producer responsibility for packaging act requiring producers of packaging material to make changes to their product design in an effort to reduce the use of non-reusable, non-recyclable and toxic packaging. This act would further create the producer responsibility program requiring producers to make necessary changes to their product design(s) to reduce packaging consumption and waste, and assess fees based on the packaging.

7279
David A. Bennett
2296
Bridget G. Valverde
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
PFAS – Industrial Property Remediation & Reuse

This act would define and provide that "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances" (PFAS) be included within the definition of "hazardous substances" for purposes of industrial property remediation and reuse.

7234
June S. Speakman
2447
Walter S. Felag Jr.
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Net Metering – Prior Use & Credits

This bill does not limit installation of a net metering system based on 3 years prior, and would also credit consumer for energy not used.

7333
Brandon C. Potter
2301
Bridget G. Valverde
2021-2022 House Committee on Corporations 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Held for further study Legislative Agenda
**
Nip Ban

This act would prohibit the sale of miniature alcoholic beverage containers in Rhode Island. This act would exempt the sale or distribution of miniature alcoholic beverage containers to passengers on commercial railroad trains or aircraft, as long as the containers are collected prior to passengers disembarking off the train or aircraft.

7064
David A. Bennett
2140
Joshua Miller
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Special Legislation & Veterans' Affairs Held For Further Study Introduced Legislative Agenda
**
Mercury reduction (no CFLs, etc.)

Prohibits, beginning January 1, 2024, any compact fluorescent lamp or linear fluorescent lamp to be offered for final sale, sold at final sale, or distributed in the state as a new manufactured product.

7788
Arthur Handy
2866
Dominick J. Ruggerio
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Passed Introduced Legislative Agenda
**
Green School Building Referendum

This bill will allow for a statewide voter referendum seeking approval of capital development bonds for school buildings in the amount of three hundred million dollars ($300,000,000) on the November 2022 ballot. Included are incentives for energy-efficient building practices.

7125
Brandon C. Potter
2596
Hanna M. Gallo
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Finance Held For Further Study Passed Legislative Agenda
**
Clean Energy Workforce Commission

Creates the Governor’s Clean Energy Workforce Transition Commission.

7755
Susan R. Donovan
2585
Louis P. DiPalma
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Passed Legislative Agenda
**
Free RIPTA

This act would prohibit the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) from imposing any fares and/or charges for service provided to the general public.

7448
Leonela Felix
2015
Meghan E. Kallman
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Finance Held For Further Study Passed Legislative Agenda
**
Gas distribution revenue decoupling

Amends the revenue decoupling reconciliation mechanism used by a gas distribution company for the purposes of revenue decoupling to not require that distribution be determined on a revenue-per-customer basis.

7600
Joseph J. Solomon Jr.
2737
V. Susan Sosnowski
2021-2022 House Committee on Corporations 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Commerce Held For Further Study Passed Senate - Sent to House Legislative Agenda
**
Labor standards in renewable energy projects

 Adds a new chapter known as the Labor Standards in Renewable Energy Projects.

8074
Joseph J. Solomon Jr.
2740
Dominick J. Ruggerio
2021-2022 House Committee on Corporations 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Commerce Signed Passed Senate - Sent to House Legislative Agenda
**
Lead Poisoning Prevention Act

Establishes a lead water supply replacement program for public and private service lines and requires disclosure to tenants and buyers of real property of the presence of lead service lines.

8153
David Morales
2765
Michael J. McCaffrey
2021-2022 House Committee on Finance 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Held For Further Study Passed Senate - Sent to House Legislative Agenda
**
"advanced recycling" = refuse disposal

Adds advanced recycling as a definition for refuse disposal. Adds the advanced recycling facility that means a facility that receives, stores and converts post-use polymers and recovered feedstocks using advanced recycling.

8089
Stephen M. Casey
2788
Frank Lombardo, III
2021-2022 House Committee on Corporations 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Judiciary Introduced Passed Senate - Sent to House Legislative Priority
**
The Environmental Justice Act

Requires the Dept of Environmental Management to create environmental justice areas.

8036
Karen Alzate
2087
Dawn Euer
2021-2022 House Committee on State Government & Elections 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Held For Further Study Passed Senate - Sent to House Legislative Priority
**
EC4 EJ Advisory Board

Establishes the Rhode Island executive climate change coordinating council equity and environmental justice advisory board to advise on decision-making and equitable outcomes.

7611
Lauren Carson
3043
Dawn Euer
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Signed Signed Legislative Agenda
**
Affordable Clean Energy Act

Amends the affordable clean energy security act and the long-term contracting standard for renewable energy.

7971
Arthur Handy
2583
Dawn Euer
2021-2022 House Committee on Corporations 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Signed Signed Legislative Agenda
**
Plastic Checkout Bag Ban

This act would create the "Plastic Waste Reduction Act" designed to reduce the use of plastic bags by retail establishments by offering recyclable bag options and providing penalties for violations.

7065
Carol Hagan McEntee
2446
Dominick J. Ruggerio
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Signed Signed Legislative Agenda
**
Restricting Neonicotinoids

Restricts the use of neonicotinoids which are a class of insecticides.

7129
Rebecca M. Kislak
2299
Joshua Miller
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Signed Signed Legislative Agenda
**
No PFAS in Food Packaging

Prohibits the sale or promotional distribution of any food package in Rhode Island which contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), effective January 1, 2024.

7438
Terri Cortvriend
2044
James A. Seveney
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Signed Signed Legislative Agenda
**
100% Renewable Electricity by 2030

Increases the percentage of retail electricity sales from renewable energy sources.

7277
Deborah Ruggiero
2274
Dominick J. Ruggerio
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Commerce Signed Signed Legislative Priority
**
Green Buildings Act Expansion

This act would expand the definition of public buildings under the green buildings act and would include those buildings in any subdivision of the state; would include private major facility projects, if those projects received any economic benefit from the state; would mandate public reports for all such projects; and would authorize the establishment of a green buildings advisory committee.

7278
Terri Cortvriend
2700
Louis P. DiPalma
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government Signed Signed Legislative Agenda
**
PFAS – Water Standards & Testing

This act would provide for the Dept of Health to take action to establish maximum contaminant levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water and set interim standards. The act would also provide that the Dept of Environmental Management set standards for PFAS in ground and surface waters, and adopt standards for PFAS monitoring at landfills.

7233
June S. Speakman
2298
Walter S. Felag Jr.
2021-2022 House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 2021-2022 Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Signed Signed Legislative Agenda
**