Climate Action Rhode Island’s Priority Bills for 2026
Each year, Climate Action Rhode Island identifies a small set of “priority bills”—legislation we believe should move forward this session based on both impact and feasibility. While we support many climate and clean energy bills, these are the ones we’re putting the most focus on: policies that are practical to pass now and will meaningfully move Rhode Island forward. These priorities are selected by our Politics Team through conversations with partners and engagement with lawmakers.
Focus: Buildings & Solar — Simple & Inexpensive
Buildings account for about one third of our carbon emissions. Three of these bills will reduce emissions from both existing and new buildings. Solar energy is an affordable way to create clean renewable energy, yet there are barriers in Rhode Island, especially for lower income residents. Two of these bills will reduce these barriers.
Solar Cost Reduction Act · S2801(Valverde)/H7726(Boylan)
Plug-In Solar · S2359(Valverde)/H7269(Speakman)
Next Generation Buildings · S2529(Urso)/H7081(Boylan)
Benchmarking (for large buildings) · S2260(Kallman)/H7183(Kislak)
Performance Standards (for large buildings) · S2218(Kallman)/H7184(Kislak)
READ MORE ABOUT THE PRIORITY BILLS WITH OUR GUIDE
Additional Endorsed Bills
Sales tax exemption for batteries · S2244(Valverde) / H7506(Boylan)
No utility ratepayer funds for marketing · S2779(Euer) / H7881(Handy)
Offshore wind procurement commission · S2661(Zurier) / H7727(Handy)
Geothermal for multifamily developments · S2905(Euer) / H8132(Cortvriend)
Grid Enhancing Technology · S2655(Britto) / H7068(Soloman)
Resolution: Ask PUC to end money for gas extension · S2354(DeMario) / H7891(Cortvriend)
Carbon impact required for large developments · H7484(Carson)
Intervener Support Program · S2727(Acosta) / H7890(Stewart)
Green Amendment · S2225(Sosnowski)
Percentage Income Payment Plan (PIPP) · S2248(Sosnowski) / H7880(Slater)
Millionaires Tax · S2238(Murray) / H7313(Alzate)
Climate Superfund · S2024(Ujifusa) / H7004(Boylan)
Clean Heat Standard · S2654(Zurier) / H7912(Cortvriend)
Climate Resilience Act · S2222(Sosnowski)
Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act · S3080(Britto) / H7879(Cortvriend)
Restore RIPTA Funding · S2825(McKenney) / H8256(Alzate)
75 cent Ride Share surcharge · S2092(Kallman)
20% highway funds · S2095(Zurier) / H8178(Cortvriend)
Gas tax · S2668(Zurier) / H8315(Stewart)
$100 million transportation bond · S2813(Vargas) / H8202(Tanzi)