H 8271Air & Sea

Making an Appropriation of $1,000,000 to 401 Tech Bridge to Study and Explore Seagliders in Rhode Island

Appropriates $1,000,000 to 401 Tech Bridge to conduct a feasibility study on using all-electric seagliders for coastal travel in Rhode Island.

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Introduced Mar 11, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution proposes a $1,000,000 appropriation from the state's general fund to 401 Tech Bridge, a Rhode Island-based organization dedicated to advancing the state's maritime and defense industries. The funding is specifically earmarked for studying and exploring the integration of seagliders into Rhode Island's transportation and economic ecosystem. The study will be conducted in partnership with the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative (RISI), a coalition of local government, business, and community stakeholders.

Seagliders are described in the legislation as nascent, all-electric, passenger-carrying, wing-in-ground-effect vehicles designed to service coastal routes. By operating just above the water's surface, these vehicles aim to provide fast, flexible, and sustainable travel options. The feasibility study funded by this bill will assess the operational viability of seagliders in Rhode Island, verifying their potential to connect the state with other East Coast hubs while reducing highway congestion and lowering cargo costs.

Proponents of the bill emphasize the significant environmental and economic benefits of adopting seaglider technology. The resolution highlights the potential to eliminate thousands of tons of carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually, aligning with the state's broader sustainability goals. Additionally, the initiative is expected to bolster Rhode Island's 'Blue Economy' by expanding local business opportunities, creating new workforce training programs, and providing a zero-emission travel alternative for residents, tourists, and emergency responders.

For younger readers

This bill gives $1 million to a technology group to study if Rhode Island can use 'seagliders.' Seagliders are special, all-electric boats that fly just above the water to carry passengers quickly along the coast. The study will see if this new technology can help the environment and create jobs.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

401 Tech BridgeRhode Island Seaglider Initiative (RISI)Maritime industry workersCoastal commuters and touristsRhode Island taxpayers

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low assessment with brief explanation: This is a standard legislative appropriation of funds for a specific study and economic development purpose, which falls squarely within the legislature's budgetary powers.

Estimated cost

$1,000,000

Estimated revenue

Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Supports the development of green, zero-emission public transportation
Aims to significantly reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions
Creates new workforce training and job opportunities in the local economy
Invests in sustainable infrastructure for environmentally conscious travel
Spends $1 million of public funds on a feasibility study rather than immediate social or environmental needs
May disproportionately benefit private technology companies rather than the general public
Focuses on a nascent technology that may not be accessible or affordable to low-income residents

For Conservatives

Fosters economic development and job creation within the state's Blue Economy
Supports technological innovation and maritime manufacturing
Could reduce highway congestion and lower commercial cargo costs
Partners with private industry and local businesses to drive growth
Spends $1 million of taxpayer money on an unproven, nascent technology
Represents government intervention by picking winners and losers in the transportation sector
Potential for wasteful spending if the feasibility study determines the technology is not viable

Votes

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Full Bill Text

WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island, known as The Ocean State, boasts nearly four hundred (400) miles of coastline and is home to a wide range of maritime industries, and the fostering and maintenance of a highly integrated maritime economy in Rhode Island, including manufacturing and research, serves to reinforce these competitive advantages of The Ocean State; and

WHEREAS, The mission of 4 Tech Bridge is to accelerate the development and commercialization of dual use, innovative technologies within Rhode Island's Blue Economy, serving as a collaborator to bring together industry leaders, government agencies, and academic institutions to bridge research and development gaps and connect innovators with commercial opportunities; and

WHEREAS, 4 Tech Bridge fosters cross-sector partnerships through state of the art facilities and programs that drive economic growth and technological advancement in maritime and defense industries; and

WHEREAS, Seagliders are a nascent technology being developed in Rhode Island, integral to its Blue Economy, designed to offer an all-electric, passenger-carrying, wing-in- ground-effect vehicle built to service coastal routes, building on real-world-proven technology; and

WHEREAS, Seagliders are positioned to help support the sustainability and economic goals of Rhode Island, including eliminating thousands of tons of carbon and GHG emissions yearly, expanding business and job training opportunities for Rhode Island's local economy, bolstering Rhode Island's Blue Economy, increasing fast and flexible access to Rhode Island and other east coast hubs, and providing a sustainable travel option for environmentally conscious residents, visitors, and tourists of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Seagliders are positioned to help provide Rhode Island residents with business and workforce opportunities, as well as access to affordable travel, lower cargo costs, quicker emergency response, and reduced highway congestion, all without any carbon emissions; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative (RISI) is a coalition of local Rhode Island government, business, and community stakeholders that aim to assist with the awareness, understanding, and adoption of seagliders in Rhode Island, including through a core value of involving local Rhode Island voices and ensuring that the benefits of seagliders are shared by Rhode Islanders and the entire Rhode Island ecosystem; and

WHEREAS, 4 Tech Bridge is uniquely positioned to support Rhode Island's Blue Economy, including the development, manufacturing, and use of seagliders,; and Tech Bridge is committed to collaborating with RISI to help study and explore the benefits of seagliders in Rhode Island; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated to 4 Tech Bridge the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) to study and explore seagliders in Rhode Island, in conjunction with RISI, including conducting a seaglider feasibility study to understand, assess, and verify the use and operation of seagliders in Rhode Island in order to position Rhode Island to realize the benefits of eliminating thousands of tons of carbon and GHG emissions yearly, expanding business and job training opportunities for Rhode Island's local economy, bolstering Rhode Island's Blue Economy, increasing fast and flexible access to Rhode Island and other east coast hubs, and providing a sustainable travel option for environmentally conscious residents, visitors, and tourists of Rhode Island; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time be required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,0 TO 4 TECH BRIDGE TO STUDY AND EXPLORE SEAGLIDERS IN RHODE ISLAND *** This resolution would make an appropriation of $1,000,000 to 4 Tech Bridge to study and explore seagliders.