2026 -- H 7081

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LC003135

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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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- NEXT GENERATION PUBLIC BUILDINGS

ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Boylan, Kislak, McGaw, Handy, Fogarty, Spears,
Speakman, Cortvriend, and Carson

     Date Introduced: January 14, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 27.5

NEXT GENERATION PUBLIC BUILDINGS ACT

     23-27.5-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Next Generation Public Buildings

Act."

     23-27.5-2. Next generation public buildings.

     (a) All new construction of state and municipal buildings, including public school

buildings, open to the public commenced after January 1, 2028; all renovations and replacements

of a value in excess of fifty percent (50%) of existing public state and municipal buildings open to

the public commenced after January 1, 2028; and any extension or increase in floor area, number

of stories or height of a state or municipal building open to the public commenced after January 1,

2028, shall:

     (1) Prohibit the use of combustion-based heating for air or water heating;

     (2) Comply to the extent feasible with the goals provided in the provisions of chapter 6.2

of title 42 ("2021 act on climate"); and

     (3) Comply with the provisions of chapter 27.3 of title 23 ("state building code") to include,

but not limited to, provisions in the Rhode Island conservation code as adopted from International

Energy Conservation Code ("IECC"), 2024 edition.

     (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, where no reasonable

or feasible alternative exists as determined by the executive climate change coordinating council

established pursuant to the provisions of § 42-6.2-1, systems for emergency back-up power, or

buildings specifically designed for occupancy of a laboratory, hospital, or crematorium, shall be

exempt; provided however, those buildings shall seek to minimize emissions and maximize health

and safety.

     (c) A municipality may apply to the state building code standards committee for a waiver

of the provisions set forth in subsection (a) of this section in cases where the provisions would place

an undue hardship or burden on their compliance by the municipality.

     (d) During any inspection of a public building or a place of public accommodation by an

inspector, building official, or other local official responsible for code enforcement, the inspector

or official may inspect for compliance with this section.

     (e) The building codes standards committee shall adopt and promulgate all rules and

regulations required to implement the purposes of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- NEXT GENERATION PUBLIC BUILDINGS

ACT

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     This act would prohibit the use of combustion-based heating for air or water heating in any

state or municipal building open to the public constructed, altered or renovated on or after January

1, 2028. Systems for emergency back-up power, or buildings specifically designed for occupancy

of a commercial food establishment, laboratory, laundromat, hospital, or crematorium, shall be

exempt.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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