Rep. Jennifer Boylan

Provides that DEM regulations and CRMC in consultation with the chief resilience officer shall update to prioritize nature based solutions for coastal resilience projects that would be coordinated by DEM using an expedited permitting process.

Maddy summaryHB 7004 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2026, requiring fossil fuel producers responsible for over one billion tons of emissions during 2000-2025 to reimburse the state and municipalities for climate adaptation costs. It directly affects major fossil fuel companies (coal, oil, gas producers) determined to have caused significant climate-related damages. The bill creates a fund to cover "climate change response work," including coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and heat mitigation projects, using scientifically verified emission attribution methods aligned with IPCC standards. Funds will offset taxpayer costs for climate resilience efforts already underway, following the "polluter pays" principle.

Prohibits the use of heating systems utilizing fossil fuels as well as air or water heating systems in any state or municipal building open to the public constructed, altered or renovated on or after January 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryHB 7069 amends Rhode Island's Energy Facility Siting Act to remove "clean coal technology" from the list of energy sources that receive priority consideration for new projects. This change directly affects energy developers and state regulators evaluating facility siting applications, as it eliminates a specific criterion favoring clean coal projects. The bill does not ban clean coal but removes it from the priority list that previously gave it favor over other energy sources like renewables or natural gas. Key provisions now require the siting board to prioritize projects based on criteria including renewable fuels, efficiency, and low emissions, without the clean coal designation. The policy change takes effect upon passage.

Allows the office of health insurance commissioner (OHIC) as the state agency that has the authority to designate patient-centered medical home (PCMH) care to obtain maximal health outcomes.

Limits the use by insurers of step therapy, a protocol that establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs for a specified medical condition are covered by an insurer, by allowing medical providers to request step therapy exceptions.

Maddy summaryHB 8012, the Rhode Island Pedestrian Safety Act, allows cities and towns to use automated camera systems to detect specific traffic violations that endanger pedestrians. It authorizes fines of $50 for violations like failing to yield to pedestrians, stopping improperly at crosswalks, or ignoring stop signs, primarily in school zones, hospital areas, work zones, or high-pedestrian-risk locations. Registered vehicle owners - not drivers - are liable for fines, with municipalities required to send detailed violation notices including photos/videos and appeal options. For the first 30 days after implementation, cities must issue warnings instead of fines to educate drivers. The law does not create new traffic offenses but enables local enforcement of existing pedestrian safety rules through automated monitoring.

Provides for municipal and state police authorities to acquire and to utilize automated license plate readers and identify what data may be collected and in what ways the data can be used.

Provides for fair pharmacy reimbursement from a pharmacy benefit manager, and also provides anti-discrimination prohibitions in regard to non-affiliated pharmacies or pharmacists.

Maddy summaryHR 8042 creates a special legislative commission to study Rhode Island's Condominium Act. The commission will examine the current law governing condominium ownership and management. This resolution directly affects condo owners and developers in Rhode Island by initiating a review that could inform future legislative changes, though it does not alter the existing law itself. The bill was introduced on February 27, 2026, and referred to the House Corporations committee.