JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $2,300,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joseph Solomon

Funds to transplant quahogs in Narragansett Bay and create a public-shellfish hatchery program (500 million units/year) overseen by DEM and run by a nonprofit.

05/12/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Summary of HR 8210 (Rhode Island, 2026) – Joint Resolution Making an Appropriation to the Department of Environmental Management

Purpose and Intent

Authorizes a total appropriation of $2,300,000 to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

Aims to support two related initiatives:

Transplantation of quahogs (hard-shelled clams) into Narragansett Bay to aid population recovery.
Establishment of a long-term shellfish hatchery program to bolster the wild shellfish fishery.

Key Provisions and Changes

Allocation Breakdown:

$300,000 for the transplantation of quahogs into Narragansett Bay and related activities that improve water quality and harvest prospects.
$2,000,000 to establish a shellfish hatchery program.

Hatchery Program Details:

The hatchery program would be administered by a nonprofit entity chosen by DEM.
The program would be limited to benefiting the public shellfish industry (i.e., intended to support wild shellfish populations and fishermen).
Production capacity target: 500 million (500,000,000) shellfish units annually.
DEM oversight: The department would supervise the program and promulgate rules and regulations governing its operation.

Procurement and Governance:

On or before September 1, 2026, and every five years thereafter, DEM must produce specifications to invite bids from nonprofits to operate the hatchery program.
The program’s operation would be conducted under DEM oversight to ensure alignment with stated goals and regulatory requirements.

Administrative Mechanics:

The appropriation is drawn from the state treasury for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, and the state controller is authorized to issue payments upon proper vouchers.

Who/What Is Affected

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) receives the funds and is responsible for implementing both components.

Quahog fishery (hard-shelled clam fishery) and Narragansett Bay environment:

Quahog transplantation aims to improve population health and harvest potential.
The project could influence local fishermen who harvest quahogs in or near clean waters such as Greenwich Bay.

A nonprofit organization (to be selected by DEM) would administer the hatchery program, under DEM supervision and regulatory authority.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and Referral:

Introduced February 27, 2026, by Representative Joseph J. Solomon.
Referred to House Finance for consideration.

Scheduling:

As of May 8, 2026, the bill is scheduled for a hearing and/or consideration on May 12, 2026.

Effective Date and Implementation:

The appropriation is for the fiscal year 2026-2027.
The hatchery bid specifications must be issued by September 1, 2026, with subsequent five-year bid cycles.

Potential Impacts and Considerations (informational)

Economic: Potential stabilization and growth of Rhode Island’s shellfish harvest through enhanced quahog populations and a scalable hatchery program.

Environmental: Measures designed to improve shellfish populations and associated ecosystem services in Narragansett Bay.

Governance: Clear DEM oversight with public-private partnership in the hatchery program, including regular bid cycles to select a nonprofit administrator.

Contingency and Oversight: Expenditure contingent on appropriation and subject to proper vouchers and accounting processes.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated purposes and provisions as introduced and scheduled for consideration. It does not include potential amendments that could be adopted during the legislative process.