JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,000 TO 401 TECH BRIDGE TO STUDY AND EXPLORE SEAGLIDERS IN RHODE ISLAND (Makes an appropriation of $1,000,000 to 401 Tech Bridge to study and explore seagliders.)

H8271

2026 -- H 8271
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LC005958
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,000 TO 401 TECH BRIDGE TO STUDY AND
EXPLORE SEAGLIDERS IN RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Finkelman, and Casimiro

Date Introduced:
March 11, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
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WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island, known as The Ocean State, boasts nearly four
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hundred (400) miles of coastline and is home to a wide range of maritime industries, and the
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fostering and maintenance of a highly integrated maritime economy in Rhode Island, including
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manufacturing and research, serves to reinforce these competitive advantages of The Ocean State;
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and
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WHEREAS, The mission of 401 Tech Bridge is to accelerate the development and
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commercialization of dual use, innovative technologies within Rhode Island's Blue Economy,
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serving as a collaborator to bring together industry leaders, government agencies, and academic
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institutions to bridge research and development gaps and connect innovators with commercial
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opportunities; and
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WHEREAS, 401 Tech Bridge fosters cross-sector partnerships through state of the art
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facilities and programs that drive economic growth and technological advancement in maritime
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and defense industries; and
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WHEREAS, Seagliders are a nascent technology being developed in Rhode Island,
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integral to its Blue Economy, designed to offer an all-electric, passenger-carrying, wing-in-
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ground-effect vehicle built to service coastal routes, building on real-world-proven technology;
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and
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WHEREAS, Seagliders are positioned to help support the sustainability and economic
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goals of Rhode Island, including eliminating thousands of tons of carbon and GHG emissions

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yearly, expanding business and job training opportunities for Rhode Island's local economy,
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bolstering Rhode Island's Blue Economy, increasing fast and flexible access to Rhode Island and
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other east coast hubs, and providing a sustainable travel option for environmentally conscious
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residents, visitors, and tourists of Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, Seagliders are positioned to help provide Rhode Island residents with
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business and workforce opportunities, as well as access to affordable travel, lower cargo costs,
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quicker emergency response, and reduced highway congestion, all without any carbon emissions;
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and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative (RISI) is a coalition of local Rhode
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Island government, business, and community stakeholders that aim to assist with the awareness,
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understanding, and adoption of seagliders in Rhode Island, including through a core value of
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involving local Rhode Island voices and ensuring that the benefits of seagliders are shared by
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Rhode Islanders and the entire Rhode Island ecosystem; and
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WHEREAS, 401 Tech Bridge is uniquely positioned to support Rhode Island's Blue
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Economy, including the development, manufacturing, and use of seagliders, and 401 Tech Bridge
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is committed to collaborating with RISI to help study and explore the benefits of seagliders in
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Rhode Island; now therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated to 401 Tech Bridge the sum of one
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million dollars ($1,000,000) to study and explore seagliders in Rhode Island, in conjunction with
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RISI, including conducting a seaglider feasibility study to understand, assess, and verify the use
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and operation of seagliders in Rhode Island in order to position Rhode Island to realize the
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benefits of eliminating thousands of tons of carbon and GHG emissions yearly, expanding
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business and job training opportunities for Rhode Island's local economy, bolstering Rhode
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Island's Blue Economy, increasing fast and flexible access to Rhode Island and other east coast
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hubs, and providing a sustainable travel option for environmentally conscious residents, visitors,
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and tourists of Rhode Island; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw
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their orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be
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from time to time be required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.
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LC005958 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,000 TO 401 TECH BRIDGE TO STUDY AND
EXPLORE SEAGLIDERS IN RHODE ISLAND
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This resolution would make an appropriation of $1,000,000 to 401 Tech Bridge to study
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and explore seagliders.
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LC005958
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LC005958 - Page 3 of 3