Environment and Agriculture

Authorizes veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship through electronic means, subject to limitations and requirements such as Vet making a good faith effort to determine if care should be provided through telemedicine instead of in person.

HB 7865 creates the "Strengthen Rhody Homes" program to help Rhode Island homeowners retrofit or build primary residences to better withstand hurricanes and catastrophic weather using federal or other grant funds (not state funds). The program targets owner-occupied single-family homes (excluding condos or mobile homes) that meet specific criteria, including having wind insurance, being in good repair, and following Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) standards for storm resilience. Homeowners must secure pre-qualification from an IBHS-certified evaluator, hire three approved contractors, and complete work to IBHS standards before grants are paid directly to contractors. Administered by the state’s insurance division, the program does not obligate the state to fund projects and requires random inspections to prevent fraud.

Provides that the legislature would be the body that negotiates on behalf of the state for all activities occurring in, on and over state submerged land extending beyond twenty-five (25) acres.

Authorizes the department of environmental management to enter into leases of up to forty (40) years at State Pier #9 in Newport, Chase Marina in Tiverton, and all other ports and marine facilities owned and operated by the department.

This bill establishes the "Strengthen Rhody Homes" program within Rhode Island's Department of Business Regulation to help homeowners make their homes more resilient to hurricanes and other catastrophic weather events. The program would use federal grants or other funding sources to provide financial assistance for construction or retrofitting projects that meet specific building standards, such as the IBHS Fortified Homes Program. To qualify, homeowners must own and occupy a single-family primary residence in good repair, have wind and flood insurance if applicable, and follow strict application and construction requirements including hiring certified contractors. The bill clarifies that the state is not obligated to fund these projects and that grant funds are paid directly to contractors once work is completed and verified.