Representative Terri Cortvriend

Terri-Denise Cortvriend is a Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives representing District 72, which encompasses portions of Portsmouth and Middletown. Born on January 15, 1962, she was first elected to the state legislature in November 2018. Before entering the state house, she served as Chair of the Portsmouth School Committee and held various leadership positions in her community.

Political Experience

Cortvriend has established herself as a legislative leader focused on climate change, environmental protection, and public access rights. Her positions in the House include:

• First Vice Chair, House Small Business Committee
• Member, House Finance Committee
• Member, House Environment and Natural Resources Committee
• Chair, Finance Environment/Transportation Subcommittee
• Chair, Legislative Study Commission on Climate Change Impacts and Solutions

Prior to her election to the state house, she served on multiple community boards and committees, including the Portsmouth Tank Farm Redevelopment Advisory Committee , the Restoration Advisory Board for Naval Station Newport, and the Portsmouth Water and Fire District Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee and the Newport Chamber of Commerce.

Notable Achievements

Cortvriend has championed several significant pieces of legislation:

• Public shoreline access: Led a commission from 2021 to 2022 that resolved a long-standing debate over public access to Rhode Island's shoreline. In 2023, the General Assembly adopted her legislation clarifying that the area guaranteed to the public under the state constitution begins 10 feet landward of the recognizable high tide line. She has continued efforts to protect public access via rights of way to the shore.

• PFAS regulation: Her multi-year effort resulted in the 2022 passage of legislation prohibiting polyfluoroalkyl substances in food packaging, followed by a 2024 law phasing out PFAS in most consumer products sold or manufactured in Rhode Island beginning in 2027. She also secured a ban on PFAS in firefighting foam.

Her legislative focus areas also include education, substance abuse prevention among youth, and pollution mitigation.