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HB 8144

AN ACT RELATING TO CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -- 2026 BOND REFERENDA

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Boylan and 9 co-sponsors

The bill would let voters authorize $67.5 million in state bonds for environmental, infrastructure, open-space, and resilience projects, funded by general obligation debt.

04/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 8144

Summary of HB 8144 (Rhode Island) — Capital Development Program – 2026 Bond Referenda

Date introduced: February 27, 2026
Session: 2026
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island

1) Purpose and main intent

  • The bill proposes to place a statewide referendum at the November 2026 general election to authorize the State to issue general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes for a Capital Development Program (CDP) tied to environmental, infrastructure, and open-space projects.
  • If voters approve, the plan would authorize bonds totaling $67,500,000 for a portfolio of named projects and program areas, with funds allocated to specific purposes listed in the bill.

2) Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1 — Ballot proposition

    • The ballot question asks voters to approve the Governor and General Assembly’s authorization (as enacted in January 2026) to issue bonds, refunding bonds, and/or temporary notes for the listed capital projects totaling $67,500,000, across multiple sub-projects (described below).

  • Project components and funding allocations (Green Economy and Clean Energy Bonds; total program $50,000,000 within the $67.5M cap)

    • (a) Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development — $3,000,000
    • Up to 80% matching grants for remediation projects.
    • (b) Facility Improvements — $8,000,000
    • Renovation/repair of existing facilities and recreational venues; development/construction of new facilities and parks.
    • (c) Local Recreation Projects — $1,000,000
    • Up to 80% matching grants for municipalities to develop or rehabilitate local recreational facilities.
    • (d) Marine Infrastructure Development — $1,000,000
    • Asset protection and emergency repair needs for facilities and marine infrastructure.
    • (e) Resilient Rhody Infrastructure Fund — $20,000,000
    • Financial assistance to local governments to improve resiliency of infrastructure, coastal habitats, and floodplain/rivers restoration; emphasis on stormwater, flood risk, and public safety.
    • (f) Narragansett Bay Watershed Restoration — $7,000,000
    • Water quality restoration and watershed protection (nonpoint source pollution, stormwater, nutrient abatement, agricultural and industrial pollution abatement, riparian restoration).
    • (g) Energy Efficiency — $10,000,000
    • Financing for energy efficiency infrastructure.
    • (h) Farmland Preservation — $2,000,000
    • Support for working farms via the Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission.
    • (i) Local Open Space Grants — $2,000,000
    • Matching grants for open space or conservation easement acquisitions.
    • (j) Statewide Open Space — $3,000,000
    • Protection for open space, farmland, watershed, and recreation lands; procurement via fee simple or conservation easements; matching with federal/local/private sources (state dollar matched at 1:3).
    • (k) Outdoor Recreation Grants — $3,000,000
    • Matching grants for parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, and recreation facilities.
    • (l) Fort Adams — $5,000,000
    • Improvements/renovations to Fort Adams in Newport; preservation, restoration, and public access.
    • (m) Mariner Academy and Program Center — $2,500,000
    • Funding for Girl Scouts programming at Mariner Cabin and Program Center (camp activities focusing on marine science, oceanography, maritime safety, climate resilience, and pathways for girls). Includes construction, site prep, ADA accessibility, solar readiness, rainwater capture, and a second-story residence for operations.

  • Section 2 — Ballot mechanics

    • Secretary of State to prepare ballot labels with “approve” or “reject” for each project; general election laws apply to the proposition.

  • Section 3 — Approval mechanics

    • If a project is approved by voters, it may proceed; issuance of bonds/notes is limited to the total amount approved for all projects.

  • Section 4–7 — Bond issuance framework

    • Governor and General Treasurer can issue bonds in serial form up to the approved aggregate amount.
    • Bonds are general obligations of the state; interest, redemption terms, denominations ($1,000 increments), and other standard bond terms are defined.
    • Refunding bonds may be issued to refinance the 2026 CDP bonds, subject to limits (max 20 years from original issue; proceeds used to prepay/refund).
    • Surplus from bond sales may be used to retire or redeem bonds.
    • Provisions cover sale, registrations, and continuity of debt obligations even if officeholders change.

  • Section 8–9 — Financial treatment

    • Bonds are tax-exempt and state general obligations; investment of bond proceeds through the Investment Commission; investment income generally goes to the general fund to service debt.

  • Section 10–12 — Debt service and federal/private funding

    • Annual appropriation for debt service if not otherwise provided.
    • Provisions for advances from the general fund prior to bond issue; acceptance and use of federal/private funds (including adherence to federal requirements).

  • Section 13 — Effective date

    • Sections 1, 2, 3, 11, 12 and this Section 13 take effect on passage.
    • Remaining sections take effect only if a majority of voters approves the projects in Section 1.

3) Who or what would be affected

  • State finances: Creates a new capital development bond program and associated debt service obligations.
  • Local governments and entities: Potential funding for brownfields remediation, local recreation, open space acquisition, resilience projects, and energy efficiency improvements; grants and matching funds may influence municipal and non-profit programs.
  • Environmental and infrastructure sectors: Funding directed to environmental remediation, water quality, watershed restoration, flood resilience, and open-space conservation.
  • Fort Adams and Mariner Academy: Specific projects affecting Newport’s historic site and youth maritime education programs.
  • Taxpayers: The general obligation bonds would be repaid from the state’s general fund (and investment earnings), with long-term implications for debt service.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Ballot question to be presented at the November 2026 general election.
  • If voters approve, bond issuance would proceed under the framework established, with funds disbursed to the designated projects.
  • The act lays out a multi-section timeline: immediate operative sections upon passage, with the remaining sections contingent on voter approval of the listed projects.
  • Refunding bonds allowed, with a 20-year cap on maturities for refinanced debt.

Overall, HB 8144 structures a voter-approved, multi-project capital bonding program focused on environmental, resilience, open-space, and youth-maritime initiatives, financed through general obligation bonds with standard state debt governance.

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

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