2026 -- H 8032 SUBSTITUTE A

========

LC005780/SUB A/2

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE WATER SUPPLY PLANNING FOR NEW HOUSING

DEVELOPMENTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Cotter, Kennedy, Chippendale, McGaw, Casimiro, and
Edwards

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island faces a housing supply shortage that impacts all residents,

especially those with low and moderate incomes; and

     WHEREAS, Safe drinking water supplies in Rhode Island are abundant but not infinite or

equally available throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, Protecting and ensuring access to safe drinking water supplies to support

existing and future needs is a public health priority; and

     WHEREAS, New construction and impervious surface expansion can impact local public

drinking water supply watersheds and the abundance and quality of drinking water for abutting

communities; and

     WHEREAS, The development of housing needs to be balanced with protecting drinking

water resources; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of nine (9) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Department of Environmental

Management, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island

League of Cities and Towns or designee; one of whom shall be the manager of a water authority

serving a municipality of fewer than twenty-five thousand in population; one of whom shall be

the manager of a water authority serving a municipality of more than twenty-five thousand; one

of whom shall be a professional who specializes in the hydrology, environmental engineering

and/or public health compliance of water systems; and one of whom shall be the executive

director of Rhode Island Housing or designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing

authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study and provide

recommendations for evaluating, planning for, and limiting the impacts of new housing

development on the safety, quality, and capacities of public water supplies and watersheds in

rural communities.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives on or before June 15, 2027, and said commission shall expire on July 1,

2027.

========

LC005780/SUB A/2

========

LC005780/SUB A/2 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE WATER SUPPLY PLANNING FOR NEW HOUSING

DEVELOPMENTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

***

     This resolution would create a special legislative commission to study and provide

recommendations on the water supply planning for new housing developments in rural

communities, and who would report its findings and recommendations to the House of

Representatives on or before June 15, 2027, and said commission would expire on July 1, 2027.

========

LC005780/SUB A/2

========

LC005780/SUB A/2 - Page 3 of 3