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HR 8299

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terri Cortvriend

Authorizes $20 million to fund four clean energy projects (geothermal/storage, residential DER/weatherization, transit/bicycle mobility, and school solar) in RI.

04/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HR 8299

Summary: HR 8299 (Rhode Island) – 2026 Joint Resolution Appropriating $20 Million for Green Economy and Clean Energy Bond Initiatives

Purpose and Intent

  • To authorize and appropriate a total of $20,000,000 (twenty million dollars) to support the state's green economy and clean energy bond initiatives, aligning with fund allocations in the Governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
  • Specifically tied to a capital development program referenced in the Governor’s budget, with the Rhode Island State Controller authorized to disburse funds upon properly authenticated vouchers.

Key Provisions and How the Funds Would Be Used

The $20,000,000 appropriation is apportioned into four main projects:

  1. Project (1): Utility-scale Geothermal and Energy Storage (Total: $10,000,000)

    • Allocate funds to support:
      • Utility-scale thermal energy network pilot projects
      • Battery energy storage projects to enhance grid reliability and resilience

  2. Project (2): Residential Energy Affordability and Distributed Energy Resources (Total: $7,000,000)

    • Administered by the Office of Energy Resources (OER) via a bundled project delivery model to achieve scale and cost efficiency
    • Subprograms include:
      • Weatherization and energy efficiency improvements for residential customers ($2,000,000)
      • Distributed energy resources (DERs), including rooftop solar, storage, and other clean energy technologies ($5,000,000)

  3. Project (3): Transportation and Mobility Infrastructure (Total: $2,000,000)

    • Funds to the Department of Transportation or other appropriate state agencies
    • Purpose: support implementation of the statewide Transit Master Plan and/or Bicycle Mobility Plan

  4. Project (4): Solar for Public School Buildings (Total: $1,000,000)

    • Support installation of solar photovoltaic systems on public school buildings

Administration and Compliance (Section 2)

  • Administration of Funds:
    • Project (1) funds (geothermal and storage) administered by the Office of Energy Resources (OER) through Rhode Island Energy.
    • Project (2) funds (residential/DER) administered by OER using a bundled project delivery model to maximize scale and efficiency.
  • Program Guidelines and Competitive Bidding:
    • OER to develop guidelines permitting qualified contractors to bid on bundled projects or portfolios rather than on a per-project basis, within state procurement laws.
  • Contractor Vetting and Qualification:
    • OER must establish a vetting process and maintain a list of prequalified/preferred contractors based on:
    • Licensing, registrations, and certifications
    • Compliance with payroll, tax, unemployment insurance, and prevailing wage laws
    • Safety record and history of similar projects
    • Commitment to apprenticeship utilization, workforce training, and fair labor practices
    • Absence of debarment, suspension, or credential revocation
  • Contract Award and Compliance:
    • Compliance with contractor standards is a condition of contract award.
    • OER retains authority to remove contractors from eligibility for noncompliance.

Target Audiences and Impacts

  • State Agencies and Public Institutions:
    • Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, Department of Transportation, and public school systems (via solar installations).
  • Private Sector and Contractors:
    • Prospective contractors eligible through a prequalification process may bid on bundled projects to achieve economies of scale.
  • General Public:
    • Potential improvements in energy efficiency for households, enhanced grid reliability, reduced energy costs through weatherization and DER adoption, and expanded public transit/bicycle infrastructure.

Timeline and Procedural Aspects

  • The bill is a Joint Resolution authorizing the appropriation for FY 2027, with the State Controller authorized to issue payments upon proper vouchers.
  • Action history notes:
    • Introduced March 13, 2026, referred to House Finance
    • Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration around April 10–14, 2026
    • Committee recommended holding the measure for further study (April 14, 2026)

Sponsor

  • Primary Sponsor: Representative Terri Cortvriend (Co-sponsor)

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the Governor’s budget language or outline potential funding cycles, milestones, and reporting requirements associated with the four projects.

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

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