AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION (Requires the division of statewide planning coordinate a wastewater capacity study to evaluate the capacity, flows, physical conditions, regulatory compliance and vulnerabilities to natural hazards of publicly/privately owned wastewater infrastructure.)

H7423

2026 -- H 7423
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LC003777
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF
ADMINISTRATION

Introduced By:
Representatives Speakman, Spears, Potter, Cortvriend, Boylan, Carson,
McGaw, DeSimone, Cotter, and Fogarty

Date Introduced:
January 30, 2026

Referred To:
House Environment and Natural Resources
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 42-11 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Administration"
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is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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42-11-10.2. Statewide wastewater capacity study.

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(a) The administrative head of the division of statewide planning ("division"), shall within
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available appropriations and in coordination with the department of administration, the department
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of environmental management and the executive office of housing, conduct a statewide wastewater
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capacity study.
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(b) The study shall evaluate the capacity, flows, physical condition, regulatory compliance,
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and vulnerability to natural hazards of publicly and privately owned wastewater infrastructure
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throughout the state.
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(c) In conducting the study, the division shall:
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(1) Identify areas underserved by wastewater infrastructure;
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(2) Identify existing and projected wastewater capacity limitations that constrain housing
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production or economic development;
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(3) Identify areas with excess wastewater capacity suitable for additional residential or
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mixed-use development;
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(4) Evaluate how wastewater infrastructure conditions affect housing affordability, density,
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and location including assessment of the cumulative impact of adjacent developments and land use

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applications; and
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(5) Make recommendations for efficient and strategic investments in wastewater
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infrastructure to support housing and economic development while protecting public health and the
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environment.
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(d) Not later than July 1, 2027, the division shall submit a written report of the findings and
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recommendations to the governor and to the general assembly, including the house and senate
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committees having jurisdiction over housing, municipal government, finance, and the environment.
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(e) The administrative head of the division shall transmit the report to the state planning
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council for consideration in updates to the state guide plan.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF
ADMINISTRATION
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This act would require that the division of statewide planning coordinate a wastewater
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capacity study to evaluate the capacity, flows, physical conditions, regulatory compliance and
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vulnerabilities to natural hazards of publicly and privately owned wastewater infrastructure.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003777
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LC003777 - Page 3 of 3