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SB 3182

AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- FORESTRY AND FOREST PARITY ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 5 co-sponsors

SB 3182 creates forestry parity with farming, expanding tax exemptions for equipment, deeming forestry operations as permitted in all zones, and shielding lawful forestry from nuis

06/10/2026 Senate passed Sub A
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Bill Summary · SB 3182

Rhode Island SB 3182 (2026) – Forestry and Forest Parity Act

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish parity between forestry/forest product operations and farming/agriculture under Rhode Island law.
  • Recognize forests’ economic value and their role in biodiversity, ecosystem services, and carbon sequestration.
  • Align forestry-related protections and tax treatment with those afforded to farm and open space land, aiming to support the long-term conservation and economic viability of forests.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • New Chapter: Forestry Parity Act (Chapter 2-27.1)

    • Short title: Forestry Parity Act.
    • Purpose: Provide parity of treatment under the law for forestry and forest product operations with farming/agriculture operations.
    • Definitions include:
    • Forest-based business, forest land, forest management.
    • Forest product operations (e.g., logging, milling, firewood, biomass, lumber, pallets, mulch, seasonal greens, etc.).
    • Forest property owner (owner or long-term lease of forest land with forest product operations).
    • Declaration of policies:
    • Safeguard forestry operations from nuisance actions when conflicts arise with urban/suburban land use, similar to protections in the right-to-farm act.
    • Protect forest landowners with forest management plans from overbroad state actions/regulations.
    • Limitations:
    • Provisions do not shield forestry operations conducted maliciously, negligently, or in violation of law.

  • Forestry Vehicle and Property Tax Provisions

    • Forestry vehicle: Defines a forestry vehicle for use in forest product operations; owner evidence required per existing farm-plated vehicle standards.
    • Tax treatment: Forestry product operations machinery and equipment (and related vehicles) would be exempt from certain local taxes; municipal per-building taxation could apply to forestry buildings at actual costs.

  • Taxation, Exemption, and Classification Adjustments

    • Adds forestry product operations equipment and parts exemption from local property taxes (44-5-42.2). Includes machinery like saws, chippers, kilns, loaders, skidders, etc.
    • Applies a separate exemption framework for forestry-related equipment and operations under the local tangible property tax provisions.
    • Broadly integrates forest product operations into the state’s sales/use tax exemptions regime and allocates parity with farm-related exemptions where applicable (see Schedule of exemptions under 44-18-30, with forestry-related items listed in 44-18-30 subsections).

  • Zoning and Land-Use Compatibility (Section 9)

    • Adds forestry product operations as permitted uses in all zoning districts, including industrial and commercial, unless prohibited for public health, safety, or wildlife habitat reasons.
    • Affirms plant agriculture and forest product operations as permitted uses to reduce barriers to forestry activities.

  • Miscellaneous

    • Adds amendments to Rhode Island Commerce Corporation purposes to recognize forestry as an area for economic development (within the agency’s broader mission).

Who Would Be Affected

  • Forest landowners and forest product businesses (e.g., logging, milling, firewood, lumber, biomass, mulch operations, etc.).
  • Local governments (through property tax administration and eligible exemptions for forestry equipment and buildings).
  • Forestry vehicle operators and crews, who could qualify for forestry-specific vehicle classifications and exemptions.
  • Zoning authorities, by clarifying that forestry operations are permitted uses across districts.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: April 3, 2026.
  • Referred to Senate Finance; scheduled for hearing/consideration in early June 2026.
  • Effective date: Upon passage (no retroactive or delayed effective date specified).

Summary

SB 3182 seeks to elevate forestry by ensuring economic viability and conservation through parity with agricultural policy. It broadens tax exemptions for forestry machinery and vehicles, enables local property tax relief for forestry-related equipment, and designates forestry operations as permitted uses in all zoning districts. The bill also aims to shield forestry activities from nuisance actions consistent with right-to-farm concepts, provided operations are conducted lawfully and responsibly.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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