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.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would change who has the authority to negotiate deals on behalf of Rhode Island when it comes to large-scale projects or activities taking place on state-owned submerged land — meaning land beneath bodies of water like Narragansett Bay, ponds, rivers, and coastal areas. Currently, the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), an appointed state agency, handles these negotiations. Under this bill, the Rhode Island General Assembly (the state legislature) would take over that negotiating role for any project or activity covering more than 25 acres of submerged land.

In practical terms, this change would most directly affect large offshore or underwater projects — such as wind energy installations, pipelines, or other significant developments — that require the use of state-owned underwater land. Instead of a state agency handling the terms and agreements for these projects, elected legislators would be the ones at the negotiating table on behalf of Rhode Island residents.

The bill shifts decision-making power from an appointed regulatory body (the CRMC) to the elected legislature. Supporters of such a change might argue it increases democratic accountability, while others might raise questions about efficiency or expertise. However, this summary takes no position on those arguments. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.