Rhode Island halts building energy code changes until 2031 without legislative approval

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE (Establishes a moratorium on changes to the state energy conservation code from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031, unless approved by the legislature and made effective by the governor.)

Last action · April 3, 2026: Referred to Senate Housing and Municipal GovernmentSponsors: Terri Cortvriend and 4 others

Companion · S 3032same policy, Senate version

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What This Bill Proposed

Rhode Island establishes a on updates to the state starting from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031, requiring explicit legislative approval and the governor's signature for any modifications.

Why it matters

Builders and property owners face a fixed energy code baseline through the decade, preventing automatic statewide adoption of newer building efficiency standards.

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

Homebuilders

Homebuilders must construct properties adhering to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code baseline without interim updates until 2031 unless specific state approval is granted.

Directly affected

Property owners

Property owners are subject to building standards that remain frozen at 2024 energy conservation levels through the end of the decade.

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

What energy code version is locked in by this legislation?

The state is locked to the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031.

Can the energy code be changed before 2031?

Yes, but only if approved by the legislature and made effective by the governor.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

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

Procedural history

8 actions

Apr 3, 2026Committee
Referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government
Apr 2, 2026Floor
House read and passed
Mar 27, 2026
Placed on House Calendar (04/02/2026)
Mar 25, 2026Floor
Committee recommends passage
Mar 20, 2026
Scheduled for consideration (03/25/2026)
Mar 11, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Show 2 earlier actions

Mar 6, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/11/2026)
Feb 12, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources

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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