H 7081Energy Efficiency

Health and Safety - Next Generation Public Buildings Act

Starting in 2028, new government buildings and schools cannot use fossil fuels for heating and must meet strict energy codes.

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Introduced Jan 14, 2026Committee House Municipal Government & Housing

Plain-English Summary

This bill, known as the "Next Generation Public Buildings Act," mandates that starting January 1, 2028, all new construction, major renovations, or expansions of state and municipal buildings, including public schools, must adhere to strict energy standards. Specifically, these buildings are prohibited from using combustion-based heating systems for air or water and must comply with the 2021 Act on Climate and the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. The legislation provides exemptions for specific facilities like hospitals and laboratories if no alternatives exist, and allows municipalities to apply for waivers if compliance causes undue hardship.

For younger readers

This new law changes how government buildings and schools are built in the future. Starting in the year 2028, when the state or a town builds a new building or fixes up an old one, they cannot use heaters that burn things like oil or gas to keep the building warm. Instead, they have to use cleaner ways to heat the air and water. There are some exceptions for special places like hospitals. The rules are made to help the buildings use less energy and be better for the environment.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

MunicipalitiesConstruction ContractorsTaxpayersPublic School StudentsHVAC Industry Professionals

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by prohibiting combustion-based heating in public buildings, directly advancing the state's commitment to combating climate change and protecting the environment.
Promotes public health by improving air quality in schools and municipal buildings, reducing exposure to pollutants associated with burning fossil fuels on-site.
Ensures that public tax dollars are invested in sustainable, future-proof infrastructure, aligning public spending with long-term environmental and social responsibility goals.
The potential for higher initial construction costs could divert limited municipal funds away from immediate social services, education programs, or housing assistance for the poor.
The inclusion of hardship waivers for municipalities could be utilized to bypass environmental standards, potentially leaving lower-income communities with older, less efficient, and more polluting infrastructure.
Exemptions for certain facilities like crematoriums and laboratories may allow continued pollution sources in communities that are often already overburdened by environmental hazards.

For Conservatives

Includes a waiver provision that allows municipalities to opt out of the requirements if compliance would create an undue financial hardship, preserving a degree of local fiscal control.
Provides pragmatic exemptions for critical infrastructure such as hospitals, laboratories, and emergency backup power, acknowledging that reliability and function take precedence over environmental mandates in these settings.
Delays implementation until 2028, providing a grace period for planning and budgeting rather than imposing immediate, chaotic regulatory changes on local governments.
Mandates higher construction and renovation costs for taxpayers by banning traditional, often cheaper, heating methods in favor of potentially expensive green technologies.
Restricts the freedom of local governments to choose the most efficient and reliable energy sources for their buildings by imposing a heavy-handed state ban on combustion-based heating.
Subordinates state building practices to international codes and aggressive climate acts, prioritizing environmental ideology over practical economic considerations and taxpayer relief.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 30 additions

SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 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.