H 8133Conservation

Fish and Wildlife - Licensing

This bill creates a fee on wastewater treatment facilities based on discharge volume to fund the shellfish transplant program.

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Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Environment and Natural Resources

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the Rhode Island laws regarding the shellfish transplant program. Starting July 1, 2026, the bill mandates a new fee for all wastewater treatment facilities, including both public and private entities. These facilities will be required to pay one cent ($0.01) for every 10,000 gallons of wastewater effluent they discharge. The revenue generated from these fees is designated specifically to support and fund the state's shellfish transplant program.

For younger readers

This bill helps pay for a program that moves shellfish, like clams and oysters, to cleaner water so they can grow. To get the money for this, the bill creates a rule for places that clean dirty water, known as wastewater treatment plants. Starting in 2026, these plants will have to pay a tiny amount of money—one penny—for every large tank (10,000 gallons) of water they clean and release. This money will be used to make sure the shellfish program can keep working.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Wastewater treatment facilitiesSewer utility ratepayersCommercial fishermenDivision of Marine FisheriesShellfish consumers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Wastewater Treatment Facilities: $0.01 per 10,000 gallons of discharge

Estimated revenue

$0.01 per 10,000 gallons of discharge from wastewater facilities

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Establishes a dedicated funding stream for the shellfish transplant program, promoting environmental restoration and the health of local marine ecosystems.
Applies the "polluter pays" principle by ensuring that wastewater treatment facilities contribute financially to the maintenance of the waterways they utilize for discharge.
Supports food security and the local economy by maintaining sustainable shellfish populations, which benefits local fishermen and consumers.
The costs imposed on public wastewater facilities will likely be passed down to ratepayers, potentially increasing utility bills for low-income households.
Implements a flat fee structure based on volume rather than a progressive tax based on a facility's profitability or a municipality's wealth.
Could be viewed as shifting the burden of environmental conservation from general state revenue (progressive taxation) to user fees (regressive taxation).

For Conservatives

Utilizes a usage-based fee structure where costs are tied directly to the volume of discharge, rather than a broad-based tax increase on the general public.
Directly supports the commercial fishing industry and small businesses that rely on healthy shellfish stocks for their livelihood.
Ensures that the funds collected are earmarked specifically for the transplant program, preventing the money from being lost in the general fund.
Imposes a new financial mandate on businesses and municipalities, which constitutes an expansion of government fees and operational costs.
Increases the cost of operating private wastewater facilities, which interferes with corporate freedom and could reduce profitability.
Likely results in higher sewer rates for residents, effectively acting as a hidden tax hike on property owners and renters.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 8 additions

SECTION 1. Section 20-2-44 of the General Laws in Chapter 20-2 entitled "Licensing" is hereby amended to read as follows: 20-2-44. Shellfish transplant program.

(a) In addition to any appropriation made pursuant to § 20-2-28.2, the general assembly shall appropriate from the general fund to the division of marine fisheries the amount it deems necessary for the purpose of maintaining a shellfish transplant program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, and thereafter, the division of marine fisheries shall develop a sustainable shellfish management plan.

(b) On and after July 1, 2026, there shall be assessed and collected against all wastewater treatment facilities, as defined in § 42-17.4-4, a fee of one cent ($0.01) per every ten thousand (10,000) gallons of wastewater treatment facility effluent discharge from that facility. The fees collected under this section shall be used to support the shellfish transplant program. Provided, the provisions of this subsection shall apply both to public and privately-owned wastewater treatment facilities.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.