2026 -- H 7423

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LC003777

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ADMINISTRATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Spears, Potter, Cortvriend, Boylan, Carson,
McGaw, DeSimone, Cotter, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2026

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-11 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Administration"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-11-10.2. Statewide wastewater capacity study.

     (a) The administrative head of the division of statewide planning ("division"), shall within

available appropriations and in coordination with the department of administration, the department

of environmental management and the executive office of housing, conduct a statewide wastewater

capacity study.

     (b) The study shall evaluate the capacity, flows, physical condition, regulatory compliance,

and vulnerability to natural hazards of publicly and privately owned wastewater infrastructure

throughout the state.

     (c) In conducting the study, the division shall:

     (1) Identify areas underserved by wastewater infrastructure;

     (2) Identify existing and projected wastewater capacity limitations that constrain housing

production or economic development;

     (3) Identify areas with excess wastewater capacity suitable for additional residential or

mixed-use development;

     (4) Evaluate how wastewater infrastructure conditions affect housing affordability, density,

and location including assessment of the cumulative impact of adjacent developments and land use

applications; and

     (5) Make recommendations for efficient and strategic investments in wastewater

infrastructure to support housing and economic development while protecting public health and the

environment.

     (d) Not later than July 1, 2027, the division shall submit a written report of the findings and

recommendations to the governor and to the general assembly, including the house and senate

committees having jurisdiction over housing, municipal government, finance, and the environment.

     (e) The administrative head of the division shall transmit the report to the state planning

council for consideration in updates to the state guide plan.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF

ADMINISTRATION

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     This act would require that the division of statewide planning coordinate a wastewater

capacity study to evaluate the capacity, flows, physical conditions, regulatory compliance and

vulnerabilities to natural hazards of publicly and privately owned wastewater infrastructure.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003777

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