Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H7182: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Limits the development of utility scale solar energy projects.)
Status: Failed, March 19, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 21, 2026:
2026 -- H 7182 ======== LC003627 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES Introduced By: Representatives Fascia, Chippendale, Quattrocchi, Santucci, Place, Perez, and Fellela Date Introduced: January 21, 2026 Referred To: House Corporations It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 45-24-46.6. Utility scale solar energy projects. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the development of utility scale solar projects shall be limited to projects where the free-standing solar energy structure is on property where the structure is providing energy to an urban area of residential properties, a commercial property or otherwise occupying other developed accessory portions of a residential or commercial property to include, but not be limited to, roof tops, parking lots and developed property. (b) Forested land, farmland, undeveloped property consisting of one acre or more and other rural areas of land shall not be utilized for utility scale solar projects. (c) For purposes of this section "a utility scale solar project" means a project that produces ten megawatts (10 MW) or more of energy, or produces electricity for sale pursuant to the provisions of chapter 26.4 of title 39. …
Sponsors
- Richard Fascia (R, HD-042) · primary sponsor
- Michael Chippendale (R, HD-040)
- Robert Quattrocchi (R)
- Paul Santucci (R)
- David Place (R, HD-047)
- Ramon Perez (D)
- Deborah Fellela (D)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Introduced, referred to House Corporations
Subjects: TOWNS AND CITIES
Common questions
- What is H7182?
- H7182 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Limits the development of utility scale solar energy projects.).
- What is the status of H7182?
- Failed as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored H7182?
- Richard Fascia (R, HD-042), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H7182?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H7182.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.