Takes several measures to lead by example by banning state purchases of plastic bottles, and requires state funds to be used to lease or purchase electric vehicles and renewable energy efficient technologies for use on state property.

Rhode Island "Lead by Example Act" – Plain English Summary

This bill would require the State of Rhode Island to make more environmentally friendly choices when spending public money. Specifically, it would ban state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic water bottles using state funds. It would also require that when the state buys or leases vehicles, those vehicles must be electric, and that energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies must be used on state-owned property.

The bill is aimed at changing how state government itself operates — rather than regulating what private businesses or individuals do, it focuses entirely on the state's own purchasing and operational decisions. State agencies, departments, and facilities would need to follow these new rules when making equipment, vehicle, and supply purchases going forward.

The people most directly affected would be state employees and administrators who handle purchasing decisions, as well as the vendors and contractors who supply the state with vehicles, energy systems, and supplies. Taxpayers could potentially see long-term cost savings if electric vehicles and energy-efficient technologies reduce the state's fuel and utility bills over time, though there may also be higher upfront costs for some of these purchases.

As of now, the bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee, meaning it is still in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been passed into law.