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H7991
2026 -- H 7991
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LC003490
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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 WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESILIENCE -- NATURE-
BASED SOLUTIONS FOR EROSION CONTROL, WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT,
AND EXPEDITED PERMITTING
Introduced By:
Representatives Cortvriend, Speakman, Boylan, Carson, Bennett, Handy,
and Spears
Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026
Referred To:
House State Government & Elections
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Findings.
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The General Assembly finds and declares that:
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(1) Nature-based solutions, including living shorelines, wetland restoration, floodplain
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reconnection, and green infrastructure, have been demonstrated to be proven, mature, and effective
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strategies for managing erosion, flooding, and other water resource challenges.
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(2) The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) incorporates living
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shoreline principles in its regulatory programs, prioritizing natural erosion control methods that
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protect coastal ecosystems.
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(3) The Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund supports projects that utilize
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nature-based solutions to enhance community and environmental resilience.
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(4) Efficient, coordinated, and timely permitting is critical to advancing nature-based
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projects that address climate adaptation and resilience goals.
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SECTION 2. Title 46 of the General Laws entitled "WATERS AND NAVIGATION" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 23.5
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COASTAL RESILIENCE – NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR EROSION CONTROL,
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WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, AND EXPEDITED PERMITTING
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46-23.5-1. State policy on nature-based solutions for coastal resilience.
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(a) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to encourage and prioritize the use of
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nature-based solutions as a preferred means of enhancing climate resilience, mitigating natural
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hazards, and protecting public health, safety, and welfare.
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(b) Covered municipalities and relevant state agencies shall, to the maximum extent
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practicable and consistent with existing law, consider nature-based solutions as preferred
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alternatives to solely structural or hard-engineered approaches when reviewing, approving, or
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funding projects subject to their jurisdiction.
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46-23.5-2. Definitions.
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For purposes of this chapter:
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(1) "Director" means the director of the department of environmental management (DEM).
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(2) "Nature-based solution" means a project that uses, restores, or mimics natural processes
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to manage erosion, flooding, or water quality including, but not limited to, living shorelines, marsh
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restoration, floodplain reconnection, urban green infrastructure, dune restoration, and riparian
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buffers.
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(3) "Qualifying project" means a nature-based solution certified by the director of the
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department of environment management, or designee, to meet criteria for ecological benefit,
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resilience enhancement, and alignment with state climate goals.
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46-23.5-3. Integration with existing programs.
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(a) Effective January 1, 2027, the department of environmental management (DEM) and
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the coastal resources management council (CRMC) in consultation with the chief resilience officer
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(CRO) designated pursuant to § 46-23.4-2, shall update its rules, regulations and permitting criteria
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to prioritize nature-based solutions and incorporate expedited review procedures for qualifying
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projects submitted pursuant to this chapter.
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(b) The DEM, CRMC and any other relevant state agencies shall align their permitting and
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funding programs to support the expedited permitting process pursuant to this chapter.
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(c) The ocean state climate adaptation and resilience fund shall, from funds appropriated
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pursuant to this chapter, allocate resources for project support, technical assistance, and monitoring
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of funded nature-based solutions approved pursuant to this chapter.
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46-23.5-4. Coordination.
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(a) The DEM in consultation with the CRMC and the office of the chief resilience officer
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(CRO) shall serve as the central coordinating entity for expedited permitting of qualifying projects
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and shall:
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(1) Accept applications for expedited review status;
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(2) Coordinate review among involved municipal governments and state agencies
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including, but not limited to, the CRMC, DEM, and department of health;
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(3) Facilitate pre-application consultation to identify and resolve potential permitting
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issues; and
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(4) Track and report annually on expedited permitting activities to the governor and general
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assembly.
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(b) Municipal and agency review deadlines for qualifying projects under this chapter.
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(1) Municipalities to the extent applicable and any relevant state agencies shall provide an
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initial completeness determination or list of substantive deficiencies for qualifying projects within
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thirty (30) calendar days of receiving an application pursuant to this chapter.
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(2) Municipalities to the extent applicable and any relevant agencies shall complete their
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permit decision (approval, conditional approval, or denial) within ninety (90) calendar days of
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receipt of a complete application.
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(3) Municipalities and agencies shall work collaboratively to avoid duplicative review
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processes and coordinate public comment periods when practicable.
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(c) Regulations and guidance. Municipalities and agencies involved in the permitting
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process for projects under this chapter shall adopt necessary regulations or guidance to implement
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this expedited permitting process by January 1, 2027.
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46-23.5-5. Rules and regulations.
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The director shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this
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chapter.
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46-23.5-6. Reporting.
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Effective January 1, 2027, the director shall submit an annual report by March 1, to the
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governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and president of the senate detailing all
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applications received and expedited permits issued, all project outcomes and ecological benefits,
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and any recommendations for statutory or regulatory improvements.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESILIENCE -- NATURE-
BASED SOLUTIONS FOR EROSION CONTROL, WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT,
AND EXPEDITED PERMITTING
***
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This act would provide that DEM and CRMC in consultation with the chief resilience
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officer shall update regulations to prioritize nature based solutions for coastal resilience projects
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that would be coordinated by DEM using an expedited permitting process.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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