WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 5344

HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE REPORTING AND EXPIRATION DATES AND AMENDING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION ON CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT AND SOLUTIONS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terri Cortvriend and 1 co-sponsor

Extends the Climate Change Commission’s deadline to May 14, 2026, extends its sunset to June 18, 2026, and adds a geotechnical/environmental firm member appointed by the Speaker.

03/18/2025 House read and passed
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 5344

Summary — House Resolution: Extending the Reporting and Expiration Dates and Amending the Membership of the Legislative Study Commission on Climate Change Impact and Solutions (LC001295 / House Resolution)

Purpose

This House resolution authorizes continuation of Rhode Island’s special Legislative Study Commission on Climate Change Impacts and Solutions, extends the commission’s reporting and sunset dates, and increases its membership to add specialized technical representation.

Key provisions

  • Extends the commission’s reporting deadline: requires the commission to submit its report to the House on or before May 14, 2026 (replacing the prior May 14, 2025 reporting date).
  • Extends the commission’s expiration (sunset) date: the commission will now expire on June 18, 2026.
  • Rescinds the earlier reporting date set by Resolution No. 361 (the commission’s original authorizing resolution).
  • Increases the commission’s membership from 17 to 18 members by adding one new member who is a representative from a geotechnical or environmental management firm; this new member is to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

Who is affected

  • The Legislative Study Commission on Climate Change Impacts and Solutions (members and staff) — they receive additional time and new technical expertise on the panel.
  • The Speaker of the Rhode Island House — gains appointment authority for the new industry representative seat.
  • Stakeholders in geotechnical and environmental management (private firms and their experts) — gain a direct opportunity to participate in the commission.
  • The General Assembly and eventual policy-makers — beneficiaries of any additional findings or recommendations produced by the extended commission.

Timeline & procedural status

  • Introduced in the Rhode Island House: February 7, 2025.
  • Report (to House) due: on or before May 14, 2026.
  • Commission expiration: June 18, 2026.
  • Status: Passed by the House (read and passed March 18, 2025, per document record).

Practical impact

  • Provides the commission more time to complete study work and issue recommendations on climate-change impacts and solutions.
  • Adds technical/industry expertise (geotechnical/environmental management) to inform analyses and recommendations, potentially improving technical rigor on issues such as coastal resilience, soil stability, infrastructure adaptation, and related mitigation measures.
  • Administrative/change-focused: the resolution changes commission composition and deadlines but does not in itself appropriate funds or enact substantive regulatory changes.

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

Sign in to ask a question.