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SB 3334

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE RHODE ISLAND LIFE SCIENCE HUB ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lou DiPalma

The bill strengthens and reorganizes governance for Rhode Island’s Life Science Hub and I-195 District to expand development powers, streamline permitting, and set sunset/dissoluti

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 3334

Overview

  • Bill: SB 3334 (Rhode Island Life Science Hub Act)
  • Session: 2026
  • Introduced: May 29, 2026
  • Sponsor: Senator Louis P. DiPalma
  • Referred to: Senate Housing & Municipal Government
  • Purpose: Amend the statutes governing the Rhode Island Life Science Hub and the I-195 Redevelopment District to modify governance, powers, and sunset/operational provisions related to life sciences development in the I-195 district.

Main purpose and intent

  • Strengthen and reorganize the governance structure linking Rhode Island’s life science hub with the I-195 redevelopment district.
  • Create closer integration by adding key ex officio board/commission roles and clarifying appointment processes.
  • Expand the scope of the district’s powers to facilitate development, financing, and partnerships while maintaining appropriate public accountability and transparency.
  • Establish rules for rapid permitting, project review, and non-gaming deed restrictions to guide development in the district.
  • Set sunset and dissolution parameters to ensure a defined end to the commission’s authority or transition assets back to public entities.

Key provisions and changes

Rhode Island Life Science Hub (Chapter 23-99)

  • Establishment and status:
    • The Rhode Island Life Science Hub remains an independent public corporation with separate legal existence.
    • It is treated as an essential governmental function and an instrumentality for federal tax purposes.
  • Governance:
    • Board composition expanded from 16 to 17 voting directors.
    • Directors include 15 appointed by the governor (7 public directors with defined qualification criteria and 8 institutional directors with ex officio qualifications such as the presidents of RI colleges and major medical/research institutions, and ex officio representatives).
    • The president/CEO (ex officio, non-voting) and chair of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission (ex officio) serve on the hub board and are voting members only in specific advisory contexts.
    • The chair of the hub board is elected by the governor with Senate advice and consent; the vice-chair is the Secretary of Commerce.
  • Terms and governance mechanics:
    • Public directors have staged terms: 4-year initial terms, with a planned staggered renewal after January 2028; subsequent appointments are 4-year terms.
    • The governor maintains removal authority for directors; institutional directors have a designee who fills vacancies.
    • Treasurer role: One voting public director who is a CPA serves as treasurer.
    • All directors other than the CEO/President are non-compensated but reimbursed for reasonable expenses.
    • Remote participation permitted with conditions; full voting rights apply to most directors.
  • Certification and funding:
    • An application review committee reviews life science certification proposals.
    • Certified life science companies may receive hub funding (grants, loans, or investments), assistance with seeking other funds, and help with clinical trials, subject to board majority approval.
  • Hiring and operations:
    • The board can hire a president/CEO (non-voting on the board) and set compensation/terms; can hire other staff.
    • Commerce Corporation to provide operating quarters for the hub for at least the first year.
  • Administrative and advisory provisions:
    • The hub may establish advisory committees to support science and technology matters.
    • The hub continues in existence as long as bonds are outstanding; upon dissolution, assets and obligations revert to the state, with earnings not benefiting private persons.

I-195 Redevelopment District (Chapter 42-64.14)

  • Composition and appointment of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission:
    • The Commission remains a seven-member voting body and receives additional ex officio non-voting members (city planning director, Commerce Corp CEO, and hub chair).
    • Appointment process involves input from Providence’s mayor and the state House/Senate leadership, with terms ranging from 2 to 4 years; subsequent appointments are 4-year terms.
  • Powers and duties:
    • Broad authorities to sue, own property, enter contracts, borrow money, and create or govern partnerships; limited ability to create new corporations or outside entities without General Assembly authorization (with a specific exception for a nonprofit to hold district parks).
    • The Commission governs planning, permitting, development, and the authority to accelerate plan reviews and have priority in appellate calendars for district-related permits.
    • Deed restrictions: Any development must include a deed restriction run with the land benefiting Providence and the state; expansion of gambling is prohibited within the district (except for state lottery tickets).
  • Planning, permitting, and development:
    • Commission acts as the sole permitting authority for development within the district; state fire marshal and building code official assist to expedite permits.
    • Development plans must align with Providence’s comprehensive plan and zoning, with potential to authorize phased/fast-track development.
    • Abutting properties with common ownership may be governed by the Commission, subject to Providence’s local authorization.
  • Sunset provisions:
    • Life sciences incentives sunset for the I-195 district life sciences jobs program on December 31, 2021, with remaining tax credits valid for 10 years for eligible companies.
    • The entire district’s powers sunset when 100% of properties are developed/sold or after 21 years from enactment (December 31, 2039), whichever comes first; upon sunset, assets/leases transition to the Commerce Corporation or other designated entities; district parks may transfer to a nonprofit designated by the Commission.
    • Dissolution procedures align with existing dissolution statutes.

Who/what is affected

  • The Rhode Island Life Science Hub: governance, funding mechanisms, and eligibility criteria for life science companies seeking support.
  • Life science companies seeking certification and hub incentives (grants, loans, and clinical trial facilitation).
  • Governance stakeholders: governor-appointed public and institutional directors, ex officio members from higher education and health institutions, labor representatives, and CPA representation.
  • I-195 Redevelopment District Commission and related entities: expanded interaction with the life science hub, new reporting/oversight arrangements, planning and permitting authority, and potential equity in development within the district.
  • City of Providence and state agencies: coordination on planning, permitting, and land-use restrictions; deed restrictions on district development.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Effective date: upon passage.
  • Governance terms: staggered public director terms beginning after January 2028; ongoing terms thereafter for four years.
  • Sunset timeline: 21-year district horizon (2039) or once all properties are developed/sold, with structured dissolution and asset transfer to public entities.
  • Procedural requirements: open meetings, recorded minutes for closed sessions, and adherence to state ethics and public records laws; remote participation rules for board/commission meetings.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison of the current law vs. the proposed changes or a plain-language FAQ for stakeholders.

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

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