H 8216Water Resources

Waters and Navigation - Coastal Resources Management Council

This legislation creates a committee to update state rules regarding coastal water classifications and climate change adaptation.

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Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House State Government & Elections

Plain-English Summary

This bill mandates that the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) conduct a comprehensive review of the state's water type classifications (Type 1 through Type 4), which haven't been fully updated since the early 1980s. The goal is to ensure current regulations reflect modern data and address climate change impacts like sea level rise and erosion. To assist in this process, the bill creates a seven-member advisory committee representing various interests, including environmental groups, marine trades, and waterfront communities. The CRMC must submit recommendations for rule changes to the General Assembly and Governor.

For younger readers

Rhode Island has a special group called the CRMC that makes rules to protect the ocean and the coast. Some of these rules are very old and don't account for things like rising ocean levels or big storms. This new law tells the CRMC to look at the rules again and fix them. A group of seven people, including experts and community members, will help them study the water and land. They will write a report on how to keep the coast safe and healthy for the future.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Coastal property ownersMarine trades businessesEnvironmental organizationsWaterfront municipalitiesCRMC staff

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Explicitly mandates the incorporation of climate change data, sea level rise, and erosion into state regulations, ensuring environmental policy is based on current scientific reality.
Updates water classification standards that have not been comprehensively reviewed since the early 1980s, allowing for better protection of natural resources against modern threats.
Establishes an oversight mechanism through an advisory committee that includes an environmental organization representative, promoting transparency in the regulatory review process.
The timeline for establishing the advisory committee is set for January 2027, delaying urgent climate action and regulatory updates for several years.
The composition of the advisory committee includes business and marine trade interests which might prioritize economic development over strict environmental conservation.
Includes a sunset provision for July 2030, which could prematurely end the oversight and adaptation work if the General Assembly fails to extend the mandate.

For Conservatives

Includes a specific sunset provision that automatically repeals the legislation in 2030, preventing the creation of a permanent bureaucratic body without further legislative approval.
Mandates the inclusion of representatives from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and marine trades, ensuring business interests are considered during the regulatory review.
Focuses on updating regulations based on current data rather than relying on outdated 1980s standards, potentially streamlining usage rights for property owners and marine industries.
Grants the unelected Coastal Resources Management Council broad authority to promulgate new rules and regulations, potentially bypassing direct legislative oversight on specific property rights issues.
Expands the size of government by establishing a new state-mandated advisory committee, which requires administrative resources and coordination.
Centers the regulatory review on climate change and sea level rise, which could lead to restrictive land-use policies that infringe on the rights of coastal property owners.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 42 additions

SECTION 1. Findings. The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The people of Rhode Island have a fundamental right to the use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources, balanced with the preservation and protection of those resources for present and future generations; and

(2) The General Assembly has the constitutional responsibility to conserve air, land, water, plant, animal, mineral, and other natural resources and to adopt laws necessary to protect the state’s natural environment and promote the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; and

(3) In 1971, the General Assembly passed legislation that delegated authority to the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) to manage and regulate the use of coastal and tidal waters and adjacent lands in the state recognizing the importance that the coastal resources provide to the social and economic welfare of the state; and

(4) In 1983, the CRMC adopted a water type classification system to manage state waters based largely on upland land uses as of 1982, using tools and data that were limited at that time; and

(5) Since the original water type designation, significant advances in data analysis and changes in land and water uses have occurred, warranting a comprehensive review of all Type 1 through Type 4 waters to determine whether the original goals remain appropriate or if reclassification is necessary; and

(6) Climate change has precipitated unprecedented changes to Rhode Island’s shorelines, including sea level rise, increased erosion, and more severe coastal storms, creating new challenges to infrastructure and coastal resource management; and

(7) Current CRMC policies and regulations were developed prior to the full recognition of climate change impacts and may hinder future adaptation efforts and the health of coastal environments; and

(8) It is critical to maintain our state's infrastructure and valued coastal resources that the CRMC undertake a thorough review of all applicable policies and regulations to ensure they adequately address sea level rise, erosion, and the increased severity of coastal storms.

SECTION 2. Chapter 46-23 of the General Laws entitled "Coastal Resources Management Council" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 46-23-31. Review of water type classifications and coastal adaptation policies.

(a) Water type review. In recognition of evolving coastal conditions and data availability, and the impacts of climate change on Rhode Island’s shorelines, the coastal resources management council (CRMC) shall conduct a complete reassessment of all waters classified as Type 1 through Type 4, evaluating whether the original water type designations meet current goals or require revision based on updated data, changes in upland and water uses, and emerging environmental conditions.

(b) Climate change adaptation review. The CRMC shall review all existing policies and regulations under its jurisdiction to incorporate appropriate measures addressing sea level rise, coastal erosion, and the increased frequency and severity of coastal storms, ensuring regulations support effective climate change adaptation.

(c) Advisory committee. To assist in these reviews, by January 1, 2027, the CRMC shall establish a seven (7) member advisory committee composed of:

(1) One representative from the Rhode Island commerce corporation appointed by the governor;

(2) One representative from a statewide environmental organization appointed by the speaker of the house;

(3) One representative from a marine trades organization appointed by the senate president;

(4) One representative from the planning department of a waterfront community with at least thirty (30) miles of shoreline appointed by the speaker of the house;

(5) One representative from the planning department of a waterfront community with less than thirty (30) miles of shoreline appointed by the senate president;

(6) The director of the department of environmental management, or designee; and

(7) One member with relevant expertise appointed by the CRMC chairperson.

(d) Action plan and reporting. Within three (3) months following the first meeting of the advisory committee, the CRMC shall present an action plan to the committee outlining the scope, methodology, and schedule for the reviews. The CRMC shall provide monthly progress reports on the required reviews to the advisory committee.

(e) Final recommendations. No later than two (2) years after the advisory committee’s first meeting, the CRMC shall submit a report containing its final recommendations regarding water type reclassifications and policy or regulatory changes to the advisory committee. The advisory committee shall then prepare and submit a final report to the general assembly and the governor for consideration.

(f) Rulemaking authority. The CRMC is authorized to initiate and promulgate any rules or regulations necessary to implement the recommendations arising from this review consistent with the procedures set forth in chapter 35 of title 42 ("administrative procedures").

(g) The provisions of this section shall sunset on July 1, 2030, unless extended by the general assembly.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.