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H8032Aaa
2026 -- H 8032 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED
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LC005780/SUB A/2
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE
RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE WATER SUPPLY PLANNING FOR NEW HOUSING
DEVELOPMENTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Introduced By:
Representatives Cotter, Kennedy, Chippendale, McGaw, Casimiro, and
Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026
Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island faces a housing supply shortage that impacts all residents,
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especially those with low and moderate incomes; and
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WHEREAS, Safe drinking water supplies in Rhode Island are abundant but not infinite or
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equally available throughout the state; and
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WHEREAS, Protecting and ensuring access to safe drinking water supplies to support
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existing and future needs is a public health priority; and
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WHEREAS, New construction and impervious surface expansion can impact local public
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drinking water supply watersheds and the abundance and quality of drinking water for abutting
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communities; and
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WHEREAS, The development of housing needs to be balanced with protecting drinking
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water resources; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created
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consisting of eleven (11) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of
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Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the
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Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Environmental
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Management, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island
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League of Cities and Towns or designee; one of whom shall be the manager of a water authority
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serving a municipality of fewer than twenty-five thousand in population; one of whom shall be
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the manager of a water authority serving a municipality of more than twenty-five thousand; one
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of whom shall be a professional who specializes in the hydrology, environmental engineering
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and/or public health compliance of water systems; one of whom shall be the executive director of
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Rhode Island Housing or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island
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Department of Health or designee; and one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Water
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Resources Board, or designee.
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In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study
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commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing
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authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator.
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The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide
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recommendations for evaluating, planning for, and limiting the impacts of new housing
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development on the safety, quality, and capacities of public water supplies and watersheds in
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rural communities.
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Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at
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the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson.
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Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
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The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
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All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
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documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or
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desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
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The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters
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for said commission; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the
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House of Representatives on or before June 15, 2027, and said commission shall expire on July 1,
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2027.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE
RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE WATER SUPPLY PLANNING FOR NEW HOUSING
DEVELOPMENTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
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This resolution would create a special legislative commission to study and provide
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recommendations on the water supply planning for new housing developments in rural
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communities, and who would report its findings and recommendations to the House of
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Representatives on or before June 15, 2027, and said commission would expire on July 1, 2027.
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