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H8451A
2026 -- H 8451 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC006339/SUB A
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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
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO WORK
WITH THE TOWN OF NEW SHOREHAM TO DEVELOP A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
TO REDUCE TICK-BORNE ILLNESS ON BLOCK ISLAND
Introduced By:
Representative Tina L. Spears
Date Introduced:
April 15, 2026
Referred To:
House Environment and Natural Resources
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WHEREAS, Block Island, comprising the Town of New Shoreham, is a unique island
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community in the State of Rhode Island, accessible only by ferry or air, and home to a significant
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year-round resident population as well as hundreds of thousands of seasonal visitors and tourists
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each year; and
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WHEREAS, The island’s geographic isolation has prevented natural predation or
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dispersal that would otherwise regulate deer numbers on the mainland; and
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WHEREAS, The presence of deer on Block Island has led to correspondingly elevated
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populations of ticks, the primary vector for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and other
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tick-borne illnesses that pose a serious and ongoing public health threat to island residents and
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visitors; and
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WHEREAS, The rates of tick-borne illness infection among residents of New Shoreham
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are disproportionately high relative to other communities in Rhode Island, placing a significant
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burden on affected individuals, their families, and the healthcare resources available to the island
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community; and
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WHEREAS, Effective management of deer populations has been demonstrated in peer-
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reviewed scientific literature and in practice by other island and coastal communities to be one of
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the most effective means of reducing the incidence of tick-borne illness in humans; and
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WHEREAS, The Town of New Shoreham has expressed a need for regulatory tools and
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state partnership to address the deer population in a manner that is safe, effective, humane, and
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consistent with sound wildlife management principles; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has
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authority over wildlife management and the issuance of damage permits, including deer damage
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permits, pursuant to the laws of the State of Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Rhode
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Island that the State partner with the Town of New Shoreham to devise a comprehensive,
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evidence-based regulatory framework for addressing deer mitigation as a public health
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intervention; now, therefore, be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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directs the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in consultation with
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the Town of New Shoreham and the Rhode Island Department of Health, to develop a
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comprehensive regulatory framework for the management and reduction of deer populations on
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Block Island for the purpose of mitigating tick-borne illness; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That such regulatory framework shall include, at minimum:
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1. Proposed strategies for the reduction or elimination of tick-borne illness vectors, with
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particular focus on deer population management, including but not limited to licensed hunting,
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culling programs, fertility control, and exclusion methods appropriate to the island environment;
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2. A comprehensive public safety plan governing any deer management activities
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conducted under the framework, including protocols for coordination with local law enforcement,
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notice to residents and visitors, and operational restrictions to ensure public safety;
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3. A mechanism for the Town of New Shoreham to apply for, and for DEM to issue, a
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wildlife damage permit or such other regulatory authorization as may be necessary to carry out
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approved deer management activities, notwithstanding any other general restrictions on the
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issuance of deer damage permits;
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4. A method for regularly reporting progress and outcomes to the Department of
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Environmental Management, the Department of Health, and the Rhode Island General Assembly;
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5. An ongoing data collection program to track deer population trends, tick density and
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species composition, and rates of tick-borne illness infection among island residents and visitors,
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for distribution to the Department of Health and other relevant public health entities; and
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6. A public education component to inform residents and visitors of tick-borne illness
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risks and evidence-based personal prevention measures; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Department of Environmental Management shall submit a report
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of its findings, proposed regulatory framework, and recommended legislative or administrative
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actions to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the
LC006339/SUB A - Page 2 of 3
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Senate no later than six (6) months following the adoption of this resolution; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of
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Environmental Management, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, and the
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Town Council of the Town of New Shoreham.
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LC006339/SUB A
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