Skip to main content
H7071AAgriculture

Agriculture and Forestry - Protection of Trees and Plants Generally - Rhode Island Invasive Plant Management Act

This bill bans the importation, sale, and distribution of non-native, invasive land and freshwater plants in Rhode Island.

Introduced66 Yea7 Nay2 Not voting
Population
Affected
25
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 14, 2026Committee House Environment and Natural Resources

Plain-English Summary

This bill bans people from bringing in, selling, or spreading non-native invasive plants, both on land and in freshwater, within Rhode Island. It requires the state director to create rules identifying exactly which exotic plants are prohibited and to keep a public list of them. The ban will not be enforced until these specific rules are officially established. Anyone caught violating these rules by importing, distributing, or possessing these banned invasive plants can be fined up to $500 per violation.

For younger readers

Sometimes, plants from other parts of the world are brought here and they grow out of control. These are called invasive plants, and they can hurt the local plants and animals that naturally live here. This new rule says people are not allowed to bring, sell, or plant these bad exotic plants in Rhode Island, whether they grow on land or in the water. The state will make a list of the exact plants that are not allowed. If someone breaks this rule, they might have to pay a $500 fine.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Nurseries and garden centersLandscapersAquarium and pet storesPrivate property ownersFarmers and agricultural workers
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely. The state has broad police powers to regulate environmental hazards, agriculture, and commerce to protect public welfare and natural resources. Banning the importation and sale of invasive species does not heavily implicate free speech or raise significant due process concerns, provided the prohibited list is publicly accessible and clearly defined by the director before enforcement begins.

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
$500/fine

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Protects native ecosystems and local biodiversity by preventing the spread of harmful invasive plant species that can decimate natural habitats.
  • Promotes environmental stewardship by holding individuals and commercial businesses accountable for distributing ecologically damaging plants.
  • Empowers state environmental agencies to actively monitor, regulate, and maintain a comprehensive, scientifically-backed list of threats to Rhode Island's environment.
  • The flat $500 fine acts as a regressive penalty that could disproportionately impact low-income individuals who might unknowingly purchase or possess a banned plant.
  • Penalizing the mere "possession" of aquatic plants could lead to unjust fines for residents who have invasive plants naturally spread to their property without malicious intent.
  • Delegating the creation of the prohibited list entirely to a single state director may bypass direct community input and environmental justice considerations in the rulemaking process.
For Conservatives
  • Protects private property values, waterways, and agricultural investments by preventing invasive species from overrunning private land and destroying crops.
  • Establishes clear, defined penalties for violations, promoting the rule of law and personal accountability for causing environmental and property damage.
  • Provides a definitive, state-maintained list of prohibited plants, giving businesses clear and predictable guidelines for legal compliance rather than vague standards.
  • Unfairly restricts free enterprise by banning nurseries, landscapers, and pet stores from importing or selling certain types of plants that may have consumer demand.
  • Infringes on personal freedom and private property rights by dictating what types of plants individuals are allowed to possess, buy, or grow on their own land.
  • Expands government bureaucracy and regulatory overreach by granting a state director the power to unilaterally ban species and enforce new environmental rules.

Votes

Loading votes...

Full Bill Text

2 versions
Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 14 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 2-15 of the General Laws entitled "Protection of Trees and Plants Generally" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2-15-5.1. Terrestrial invasive plants — Prohibition on importation.

(a) No person shall import, disperse, distribute, introduce, or sell, in the state any species of non-native (exotic) invasive plants, as defined by the director. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the prohibition and its applicability. The prohibition and its enforcement shall not become effective until the rules and regulations governing the prohibition and its applicability take effect.

(b) Violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(c) The director shall maintain a listing of all prohibited plants pursuant to this section together with a listing of all prohibited aquatic plants pursuant to § 20-1-26.

SECTION 2. Section 20-1-26 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-1 entitled "General Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows: 20-1-26. Freshwater invasive aquatic plants — Prohibition on importation and possession.

(a) No person shall import, transport, disperse, distribute, introduce, sell, purchase, or possess in the state any species of non-native (exotic) freshwater invasive aquatic plants, as defined by the director. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the prohibition and its applicability. The prohibition and its enforcement shall not become effective until the rules and regulations governing the prohibition and its applicability take effect.

(b) Violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(c) The director shall maintain a listing of all prohibited plants pursuant to this section together with a listing of all prohibited terrestrial plants pursuant to § 2-15-5.1.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.