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HB 7865

AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- WEATHER-RELATED LOSSES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Azzinaro and 9 co-sponsors

Creates a grant program to retrofit or build fortified homes to IBHS Fortified standards for hurricane resilience, funded by a revolving fund and external grants.

06/23/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 7865

Summary of HB 7865 (Rhode Island) – Weather-Related Losses

Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Session: 2026
Bill: HB 7865 Substitute A (LC005410/SUB A)
Introduced: Feb 27, 2026 | Referred to House Corporations

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a new program within the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), specifically in the division of insurance, called the “Strengthen Rhody Homes” program.
  • Objective: Provide grants to residential homeowners to construct or retrofit homes to be more resilient to hurricanes and other catastrophic wind events, and to promote the use of resilience standards (IBHS Fortified designations).
  • The act creates a framework to obtain federal or other external grants and to use those funds, alongside potential state resources, to support resilience projects.
  • Not an entitlement or guaranteed state funding; implementation is contingent on grants or other sources.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Program Structure and Administration

  • Creates “Strengthen Rhody Homes” within DBR, Division of Insurance.
  • The program may receive grants or gifts and may use funds to support resilience projects for insurable properties.
  • The Insurance Division may issue rules and eligibility requirements for administering the program and for grants.

B. Eligibility and Grant Requirements

  • Eligibility focuses on owner-occupied, single-family, primary residences (not condominiums or mobile homes) located in counties where grants are approved.
  • The home must be in good repair prior to mitigation (i.e., not for general maintenance or repairs, but for post-catastrophe reconstruction or retrofits).
  • A certified IBHS evaluator must prequalify the property and identify improvements to achieve an IBHS Fortified designation (Roof, Silver, Gold, or successor).
  • Property owner must obtain bids from at least three IBHS-certified contractors approved by the program.
  • The home must achieve the IBHS designation or equivalent as a condition for grant payment.
  • Property must carry wind insurance; if in a Special Flood Hazard Area, a flood policy is required (NFIP or private carrier).
  • Applications must be filed in a manner prescribed by the Insurance Division, with any applicable transaction fees.

C. Funding, Payments, and Oversight

  • Establishes the Strengthen Rhody Homes Revolving Fund in the DBR to receive federal grants or other funds; funds are non-lapsing and may be carried over.
  • Grants are paid directly to the contractor upon issuance of the IBHS certificate; the insurer or designated agency disburses funds to the contractor.
  • Grants must be used only for qualifying resilience work on insurable properties.
  • Projects must be completed within specified timelines: retrofit generally within 3 months of grant approval; new builds within the superintendent-approved timeframe; failure to complete may result in forfeiture.
  • Random inspections of funds, records, and properties may occur to detect fraud (similar to mechanisms in chapters 13.1 and 71 of Title 27).

D. Roles and Responsibilities

  • Contractors: Must be IBHS Fortified-certified, maintain licenses/certifications, disclose conflicts of interest, and not be paid beyond grant funds; cannot be evaluators or have financial interest aside from payment for work.
  • Evaluators: IBHS-certified Fortified evaluators; must maintain credentials and avoid conflicts of interest; cannot be contractors or suppliers involved in the project they inspect.
  • Nonprofit entities: May receive grants to administer projects if allowed under grant rules; must administer funds in line with program rules and provide timely documentation.

E. Confidentiality and Privacy

  • Documents and information submitted in support of grant applications are confidential by law, protected from open records requests, subpoenas, discovery, or admissibility in private civil actions.

3) Who or What is Affected

  • Residential Rhode Island homeowners (primary, owner-occupied, single-family homes) in participating areas.
  • Insurers (wind and flood) and the Insurance Division within DBR.
  • IBHS-certified evaluators and IBHS-certified contractors.
  • Nonprofit entities that may administer grants on behalf of the program.
  • Potential grant recipients are prioritized by income tier, vulnerability to catastrophic weather, and other criteria set by the Insurance Superintendent.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.
  • Timeline requirements: Retrofit projects within 3 months of grant approval; new builds must meet superintendent-approved timelines.
  • Funding is through a revolving fund, with grants subject to availability of external funding and program rules.
  • Funding and records are subject to periodic random inspections for fraud detection.

5) Practical Implications

  • The bill creates a structured, grant-based mechanism to improve housing resilience against hurricanes and wind-related disasters.
  • Emphasizes IBHS Fortified standards to standardize resilience upgrades.
  • Intended to complement private and federal funding streams, rather than impose new mandatory expenditures on the state budget.
  • Strong emphasis on safeguards (confidentiality, conflict-of-interest rules, and auditing) to protect program integrity.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with prior Rhode Island weather-related loss provisions or a quick FAQ for homeowners and contractors.

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

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