Question 5: Environment and Watershed Protection and Development Bond Measure

Shall the action of the general assembly, by an act passed at the January 2026 session, authorizing the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes of the State of Rhode Island for the capital projects and in the amount with respect to each such project listed below be approved, and the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and/or temporary notes authorized in accordance with the provisions of said act?

Green Economy Bonds $55,000,000

Approval of this question will allow the State to issue general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and/or temporary notes in an amount not to exceed fifty-five million dollars ($55,000,000) for environmental and recreational purposes, to be allocated as follows:

(a) Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development $3,000,000

Provides three million dollars ($3,000,000) for up to eighty percent (80%) matching grants to public, private, and/or non-profit entities for brownfield remediation projects.

(b) Facility Improvements $12,000,000

Provides twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) for the renovation and repair of existing facilities and recreational venues as well as the development and construction of new facilities and parks.

(c) Local Recreation Projects $1,000,000

Provides one million dollars ($1,000,000) for up to eighty percent (80%) matching grants for municipalities to acquire, develop, or rehabilitate local recreational facilities to meet the growing needs for active outdoor recreational facilities.

(d) Marine Infrastructure Development $1,000,000

Provides one million dollars ($1,000,000) to provide asset protection and emergency repair needs for most facilities, including recreational facilities, marine infrastructure, and more.

(e) Resilient Rhody Infrastructure Fund $25,000,000

Provides twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) to provide financial assistance to local governmental units for restoring and/or improving resiliency of infrastructure, vulnerable coastal habitats, and restoring rivers and stream floodplains. These funds will be prioritized to leverage significant funds to support local programs to improve community resiliency, stormwater abatement and public safety in the face of increased flooding, major storm events, and environmental degradation.

(f) Narragansett Bay Watershed Restoration $7,000,000

Provides seven million dollars ($7,000,000) for activities to restore and protect the water quality and enhance the economic viability and environmental sustainability of Narragansett Bay and the State's watersheds. Eligible activities include nonpoint source pollution abatement, including stormwater management; nutrient loading abatement; commercial, industrial and agricultural pollution abatement; and riparian buffer and watershed ecosystem restoration.

(g) Agriculture Land Preservation Commission $3,000,000

Provides three million dollars ($3,000,000) to the agricultural land preservation commission for farmland protection.

(h) Open Space Program $3,000,000

Provides three million dollars ($3,000,000) for the State to acquire fee simple interest or conservation easements to open space, watershed, and recreational lands.