Provides that the legislature would be the body that negotiates on behalf of the state for all activities occurring in, on and over state submerged land extending beyond twenty-five (25) acres.

Rhode Island Submerged Land Negotiation Bill

This bill would change who has the authority to negotiate agreements on behalf of Rhode Island when businesses or organizations want to use state-owned underwater land (called "submerged land") for large projects. Currently, the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) — a state agency — handles these negotiations. Under this bill, the state legislature itself (the General Assembly) would take over that negotiating role for any project covering more than 25 acres of submerged land.

The change would primarily affect large-scale projects occurring in, on, or over Rhode Island's underwater state-owned property, such as offshore wind energy installations, aquaculture operations, or other significant commercial ventures in coastal waters. Companies or developers seeking to use large portions of this underwater land would negotiate directly with the legislature rather than with the CRMC agency. Smaller projects under 25 acres would not be affected by this change.

This bill is still in its early stages. It was referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee, which recommended it be held for further study rather than moving it forward immediately. A hearing is scheduled for March 2026. The core debate around this bill is essentially about which branch of state government — the executive/agency branch or the legislative branch — should have authority over major decisions about how Rhode Island's valuable coastal underwater land is used.