For the second time in as many election cycles, a pair of Rhode Island lawmakers are pushing to expand the state’s “green bond” to include land and open space conservation funding.
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma, D-Middletown, and Rep. Megan L. Cotter, D-Exeter, introduced legislation this week that would add $17.5 million to the $50 million Green Bond included in Gov. Daniel McKee’s budget proposal, bringing the total bond that voters would be asked to approve in November to $67.5 million.
The bill, 2026-H 8144, would direct the additional funds toward farmland preservation, open space grants, outdoor recreation and two Newport-area projects — $5 million for renovations and preservation of Fort Adams and $2.5 million for programming at the Mariner Cabin and Program Center at Camp Rocky Farm.
The remaining funds would be split among $2 million each for farmland preservation and local open space grants and $3 million each for state open space programs and outdoor recreation grants.
“Conservation is usually a big part of our Green Bonds, and it’s what Rhode Islanders expect to get when they vote to support them,” Cotter said. “Our legislation ensures our state and local conservation programs can continue to save farmlands, forests and other vital resources.”
DiPalma, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, called land conservation “a truly smart investment.”
“Every dollar we spend returns a lot of value to the public,” DiPalma said. “We all benefit from cleaner air and water that results from preserving green spaces.”
That case is backed by data from Highstead, an independent nonprofit conservation organization, which found that every $1 of state funding spent on land conservation in New England returns between $4 and $11 in economic value from natural goods and services.
The two lawmakers successfully championed a similar effort ahead of the 2024 election. Their proposals, incorporated into that year’s state budget, resulted in $13 million in conservation funding being added to the bond, which voters ultimately approved.
DiPalma represents Middletown, Little Compton, Newport and Tiverton in the Senate. Cotter’s House district covers Exeter, Richmond and Hopkinton.
