Rhode Island bill authorizes property owners to take emergency coastal protection actions without prior approval

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION -- COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (Authorizes a property owner to pursue reasonable actions to protect their property from coastal hazards that affect life, infrastructure, or essential land uses without prior approval.)

Last action · April 7, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further studySponsors: Charlene Lima and 5 others

Companion · S 3039same policy, Senate version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Property owners in Rhode Island are authorized to pursue reasonable actions to protect their property from affecting life, infrastructure, or essential land uses without obtaining prior approval.

Why it matters

Changes the regulatory process for coastal property owners facing erosion or storm threats by allowing immediate protective measures without waiting for administrative permits.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Property owners

Property owners gain the ability to take reasonable protective actions against coastal hazards without obtaining prior approval.

Directly affected

Coastal Resources Management Council

The council's prior approval requirement is removed for qualifying reasonable property protection actions.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is allowed to take action under this bill?

Property owners facing that affect life, infrastructure, or essential land uses.

Do property owners need to wait for permit approval before acting?

No, the measure authorizes property owners to pursue reasonable protective actions without prior approval.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

3 actions

Apr 7, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Apr 3, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/07/2026)
Jan 23, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to House State Government & Elections

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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