Provides the board of trustees with tort claim protections and calls upon the board to undertake a feasibility study related to operations of the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center and the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission.

Plain-English Summary

This bill makes two main changes related to nuclear science operations in Rhode Island. First, it extends certain legal protections to the University of Rhode Island's Board of Trustees when it comes to lawsuits. Specifically, it gives the Board the same kind of liability shield — known as "tort claim protections" — that state government entities typically enjoy, meaning that people who want to sue the Board over certain actions must follow specific legal rules and limits that apply to claims against the state.

Second, the bill directs the Board of Trustees to conduct a feasibility study examining the operations of two related organizations: the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center and the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission. A feasibility study is essentially a formal review to determine whether current operations are practical, efficient, and sustainable going forward. The study would help decision-makers understand whether changes to how these organizations operate might be needed.

This bill primarily affects the University of Rhode Island's Board of Trustees, the staff and operations of the Nuclear Science Center, and the Atomic Energy Commission. It could also indirectly affect Rhode Island residents who use or are impacted by these nuclear science facilities. The bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee, which means lawmakers will review it before deciding whether to move it forward.