2026 -- H 7340

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LC004380

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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

RESPECTFULLY URGING RHODE ISLAND INSURERS AND THE RHODE ISLAND

PROPERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATION TO REDUCE INSURANCE COSTS ON LOCAL

RESIDENTS BY PURSUING SUBROGATION CLAIMS AGAINST POLLUTERS WHO

KNOWINGLY ENGAGED IN MISLEADING AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES REGARDING

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THEIR PRODUCTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Boylan, Alzate, McGaw, Potter, Cotter,
Carson, Spears, Knight, and Cortvriend

     Date Introduced: January 28, 2026

     Referred To: House Corporations

     WHEREAS, Warming sea and air temperatures, due to heat trapped by increasing carbon

emissions, are worsening weather events, including hurricanes and droughts, and are destabilizing

Hawaii's climate, as well as leading to additional negative world impacts including sea level rise

and ocean acidification; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, overwhelming evidence has shown that certain polluters in the

fossil fuel industry have been aware of their negative contributions to climate change for decades,

and have knowingly engaged in misleading and deceptive practices regarding the connection

between their products and climate change, which has exacerbated climate-related harms; and

     WHEREAS, These climate-related harms pose a threat to the health, safety, and security

of both residents of, and visitors to, Rhode Island, and injured parties deserve to be made whole;

and

     WHEREAS, Increasing climate-related disasters and risks have contributed significantly

to the destabilization of the State's insurance industry, particularly in the property and casualty

insurance sector, and have led to rising premiums and increasing non-renewal rates due to

payouts for climate-related damages; and

     WHEREAS, Insurers and injured parties have successfully pursued claims against those

responsible relating to the opioid epidemic, big tobacco, and additional major contributors who

have caused widespread damage that affects insurance premiums, which has resulted in the

burden of financial loss not falling solely on policyholders and taxpayers; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has an intrinsic interest in protecting its citizens

from climate disasters, extreme weather events attributable to climate change, and harms resulting

from long-term changes to the climate system, with protection that includes affordable access to a

functioning insurance market in the State; and

     WHEREAS, The State also maintains a compelling interest in protecting consumers from

misleading and deceptive practices; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

strongly encourages Rhode Island insurers and the Rhode Island Property Insurance Association

to reduce insurance costs on local residents by pursuing subrogation claims against polluters who

knowingly engaged in misleading and deceptive practices regarding the connection between their

products and climate change; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Governor Dan McKee, Attorney General Peter

Neronha, Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer, Director of the Department of Business Regulation, and

Ronald Gerwatowski, Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission.

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LC004380

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