Requires that the division of planning create a checklist of environmental and energy issues that state construction projects which cost in excess of $10,000,000 would need to consider.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would require Rhode Island's Division of Planning to create a standardized checklist of environmental and energy-related factors that must be considered for large state construction projects. Specifically, the checklist would apply to any state-funded construction project with a cost of more than $10 million. The idea is to make sure that environmental and energy concerns are formally reviewed and documented before major government building projects move forward.

The bill would affect state agencies and departments that oversee large construction projects, as well as the Division of Planning, which would be responsible for developing and maintaining the checklist. While the bill does not necessarily require that projects *fix* every environmental or energy issue identified, it would ensure those issues are at least formally *considered* as part of the planning process. This could include things like energy efficiency, environmental impact on nearby land or water, or sustainability concerns.

Currently, this bill has been referred to the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, where it has been recommended to be held for further study, meaning it has not yet advanced through the legislative process. A hearing has been scheduled for March 2026. If passed, the bill could bring greater consistency and transparency to how Rhode Island plans and evaluates its major public construction investments.