AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT -- NEW SHOREHAM

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tina Spears

The bill lets New Shoreham’s water district limit its obligation to supply potable water to applicants within its defined service area, not the entire town.

07/01/2025 Effective without Governor's signature

Summary — HB 6069 (Sub A): Water Resources Management — New Shoreham

Status: Enacted; took effect upon passage (effective 07/01/2025, enacted without Governor’s signature)

Introduced: March 12, 2025 (Rep. Tina L. Spears)
Committee: House Municipal Government & Housing
Enactment steps: House passage 06/16/2025; Senate concurrence on Sub A 06/20/2025; transmitted to Governor 06/23/2025; effective 07/01/2025

Purpose / Intent

The act amends Rhode Island’s Water Resources Management chapter (adding section 46‑15‑24) to clarify and limit the obligation of the New Shoreham water district to provide potable water. It gives the district explicit authority to confine its duty to supply water to applicants located within its legally designated service area rather than to every parcel in the wider municipal boundary.

Key provisions

Adds section 46‑15‑24 to Chapter 46‑15 (Water Resources Management).

States that the New Shoreham water district, through its board of water commissioners, may “specifically limit” the public water system’s obligation to supply water only to applicants who reside within the district’s designated and described service area.

Effect: the district’s duty to provide service is defined by its established service-area boundaries, not by the entire land area of the Town of New Shoreham.

Effective immediately upon passage.

Who or what is affected

Primary: New Shoreham water district and its board of water commissioners (administrative authority to apply the limitation).

Residents/property owners in New Shoreham: those located inside the district’s designated service area remain eligible for service; those located elsewhere inside the town but outside the district’s defined service area may be denied service if the district chooses to limit supply.

Municipal government and developers: decisions on extension of water service, land use, permitting and development may be affected.

Potentially affected third parties: emergency planning, inter‑municipal service agreements, and any residents who previously expected water service outside the district boundaries.

Practical implications / considerations

Clarifies local control: gives the district discretion not to extend service beyond its formal service area, which can limit infrastructure and operational obligations.

Infrastructure and fiscal effects: may reduce obligations and costs for the district if it declines service extensions; conversely, property owners outside the service area may face higher costs or barriers to development (e.g., need for wells, septic systems, or off‑site water arrangements).

Administrative follow-up: may prompt the district to review and update its official service‑area maps, application procedures, and any existing intergovernmental agreements or service extension policies.

Legal/regulatory considerations: consistency with other state or municipal statutes and any prior commitments to serve particular properties should be reviewed.

This is a targeted statutory change narrowly focused on the geographic scope of the New Shoreham water district’s service obligations.

Bill