Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8571: HOUSE RESOLUTION DECLARING MAY 2026 AS "WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Status: Passed both chambers, May 21, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 21, 2026:
2026 -- H 8571 ======== LC006474 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ HOUSERESOLUTION DECLARING MAY 2026 AS "WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND Introduced By: Representatives Cotter, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Place, Kennedy, Shallcross Smith, Ajello, Bennett, and Fogarty Date Introduced: May 21, 2026 Referred To: House read and passed WHEREAS, Wildfires across the United States have become more frequent and severe due to drought, rising temperatures, and changing climate conditions, demonstrating a nationwide need for prevention and preparedness; and WHEREAS, While wildfire activity is most concentrated in western and southeastern regions of the United States, wildfire risk is increasingly recognized as a nationwide concern as climate and land-use conditions continue to expand fire-prone environments; and WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island experiences conditions that elevate wildfire risk, including seasonal dryness, wind events, and fuel accumulation in forested and suburban areas; and WHEREAS, According to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Rhode Island experienced more than 60 reported wildfires in 2025, demonstrating that wildfire risk remains an ongoing concern within the State; and WHEREAS, Wildfires pose threats to public safety, property, air quality, ecosystems, and public health through exposure to harmful smoke and fine particulate matter; and WHEREAS, The DEM, through its Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment and Forest Fire Program, …
Sponsors
- Megan Cotter (D, HD-039) · primary sponsor
- Christopher Blazejewski (D)
- Katherine Kazarian (D, HD-063)
- Michael Chippendale (R, HD-040)
- David Place (R, HD-047)
- Brian Kennedy (D, HD-038)
- Ann Shallcross Smith, Mary (D, HD-046)
- Edith Ajello (D, HD-001)
- David Bennett (D, HD-020)
- Kathleen Fogarty (D, HD-035)
Latest actions
- : House read and passed
Subjects: RESOLUTIONS -- RECOGNITION AND COMMEMORATION
Common questions
- What is H8571?
- H8571 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): HOUSE RESOLUTION DECLARING MAY 2026 AS "WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.
- What is the status of H8571?
- Passed both chambers as of May 21, 2026. Latest action: House read and passed (May 21, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8571?
- Megan Cotter (D, HD-039), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H8571?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8571.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.