AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION -- STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS METRICS (Requires that the division of planning create a checklist of environmental and energy issues that state construction projects which cost in excess of $10,000,000 would need to consider.)

H7623

2026 -- H 7623
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LC004904
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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 -- STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS METRICS

Introduced By:
Representatives Handy, Fogarty, Cortvriend, Batista, and Sanchez

Date Introduced:
February 11, 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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42-11-22. State construction projects metrics.
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(a) The state division of planning, in conjunction with the division of capital asset
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management and maintenance and the office of energy resources, shall prepare an environmental
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and energy checklist for all state construction projects under the purview of the department of
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administration which exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in cost.
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(b) The environmental and energy checklist shall consider the following issues:
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(1) Coastal flooding during storm surges in one hundred (100) and five hundred (500) year
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flood events on the site for the project;
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(2) Other flooding during one hundred (100) and five hundred (500) year flood events on
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the site for the project;
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(3) Resilience of facilities at the site to coastal and other flooding during one hundred (100)
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and five hundred (500) year flood events for the project;
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(4) Impact of the project on flooding and stormwater management for neighboring
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properties, particularly vulnerable state facilities;
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(5) Alternative stormwater management strategies;
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(6) Energy efficiency of the facility and any intentions to pursue leadership in energy and

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environmental design (LEED) or other similar standards for the project;
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(7) Any present value costs/savings/comparisons/evaluations used for heating, ventilation,
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and air conditioning (HVAC) systems;
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(8) Intentions and plans to use efficient, renewable or any alternative energy sources on the
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project;
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(9) Access to public transit, pedestrians and bicycles; and
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(10) Any other environmental and energy issues that the department of administration
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deems necessary, critical, and relevant to the long-term success of the project.
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(c) Once created, the planning division shall make the checklist available to those persons
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within the department of administration who are responsible for the management of the state
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construction projects meeting the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section. The person
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responsible for the management of the construction project shall complete the checklist and shall
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sign it and certify that it will be maintained and placed with all other publicly accessible
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construction project materials, in accordance with applicable retention records policies.
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(d) Nothing in this section shall require the checklist to be completed to the satisfaction of
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the division of planning, as the intent of this section is to consider the substance contained in the
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checklist during the design and construction phases of a building construction project.
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(e) Where possible, other branches, departments, agencies, and institutions of the state shall
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create and consider a similar checklist, where applicable.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004904
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LC004904 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF
ADMINISTRATION -- STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS METRICS
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This act would require that the division of planning, in conjunction with division of capital
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asset management and office of energy resources, create a checklist of environmental and energy
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issues, that certain state construction projects which cost in excess of ten million dollars
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($10,000,000) would need to consider and address, during the design and construction phases of a
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building construction project.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004904
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LC004904 - Page 3 of 3