S 2223Pollution & Waste

Motor and Other Vehicles - Environmental Impact Study of Motor Vehicle Non-Exhaust Particle Emissions

This bill mandates a state study on the environmental impact of vehicle tire, brake, and road dust emissions.

Introduced

Population
Affected

Introduced Jan 23, 2026Committee Senate Environment & Agriculture

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Management collaborate to conduct a study on the environmental effects of non-exhaust emissions from vehicles. This includes pollution sources like microplastics, brake dust, tire wear, and road dust. The departments are permitted to partner with academic research institutes for this study. They are required to produce a written report with recommendations for reducing these emissions and must post this report publicly on their websites by January 1, 2027.

For younger readers

This law tells the state government to do a homework assignment about pollution. Usually, when we think of car pollution, we think of the smoke coming out of the back. But this law looks at the tiny pieces of dust and plastic that come off of tires and brakes when cars drive. The government has to study how much this hurts the environment. They can ask scientists for help, and they have to finish a report with ideas on how to fix the problem by the beginning of the year 2027.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Department of TransportationDepartment of Environmental ManagementAcademic Research InstitutesEnvironmental Advocacy GroupsGeneral Public

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Initiates scientific research into a significant but often overlooked source of pollution (microplastics and tire wear), laying the groundwork for evidence-based environmental policy.
Encourages collaboration between government agencies and academic institutions, fostering a data-driven approach to solving community health and environmental issues.
Ensures transparency and public access to information by requiring the final report and recommendations to be posted publicly on government websites.
Delays concrete action on pollution reduction by mandating a study with a deadline set for 2027, rather than implementing immediate regulations on known pollutants.
Lacks specific funding provisions, which may strain the resources of the Department of Environmental Management and limit the depth of the study.
Does not include an enforcement mechanism to ensure that the recommendations made in the final report are actually adopted or voted upon by the General Assembly.

For Conservatives

Requires a formal study before any new regulations are created, preventing immediate, potentially burdensome restrictions on vehicle owners and businesses.
Ensures transparency by mandating that the findings be made public, allowing taxpayers to review the data that might justify future government actions.
Focuses on information gathering and recommendations rather than granting immediate executive authority to impose fines or bans.
Utilizes government resources and taxpayer money to fund a study that serves as a precursor to future regulations and potential costs for vehicle owners.
Expands the scope of government environmental oversight to include minor byproducts of driving like brake dust and road wear.
Involves academic institutions in state policy-making, which some may view as introducing biased research to justify government overreach.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 10 additions

SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 31-47.5-1. Impact study of motor vehicle non-exhaust emissions.

(a) The department of transportation, in consultation with the department of environmental management, shall conduct an environmental impact study of non-exhaust emissions particles, including microplastics, brake wear, tire and road wear, clutch wear and road dust resuspension.

(b) The departments shall be authorized to collaborate with an institute of academic research, as part of their study. The study shall result in a written report to the general assembly on the environmental impact of these emissions and contain recommendations to the general assembly for the reduction of the environmental impact of tire particle emissions.

(c) Both the department of transportation and department of environmental management shall post their report publicly on their websites, no later than January 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.