AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- THERMAL ENERGY NETWORK AND JOBS ACT
This legislation aims to explore the feasibility of thermal energy networks in Rhode Island. It seeks to assess how these networks could meet specific energy goals.
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HB 7879 — AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- THERMAL ENERGY NETWORK AND JOBS ACT
Last action — 06/24/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 27, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Dan McKee (Democratic) on June 24, 2026.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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5 sponsors
5 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (5 D).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 1 recorded vote so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
In plain language
The bill promotes studying thermal energy technology for potential implementation in Rhode Island.
This legislation aims to explore the feasibility of thermal energy networks in Rhode Island. It seeks to assess how these networks could meet specific energy goals.
What this means for you
- Environment: This means that efforts to assess sustainable energy options may impact environmental policies and initiatives.
Summary
Facilitates the study of thermal energy technology to determine if these goals can be met by the implementation of thermal energy networks in Rhode Island.
Bill Text
- 7879 SUB A View text Current pdf
Action History
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06/24/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
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06/16/2026 Transmitted to Governor
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06/11/2026 Senate passed Sub A in concurrence
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06/09/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)
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06/09/2026 House passed Sub A
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06/08/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/09/2026)
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06/08/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A
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06/05/2026 Proposed Substitute
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06/05/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/08/2026)
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03/19/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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03/13/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/19/2026)
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02/27/2026 Introduced, referred to House Corporations
Sponsors
- John G. Edwards · Primary
- Michelle E. McGaw · Primary
- Jennifer Smith Boylan · Primary
- Arthur Handy · Primary
- Terri Cortvriend · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →5 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 109 not signed on · 1 voted No
Sponsors (5)
- John G. Edwards Democratic
- Michelle E. McGaw Democratic
- Jennifer Smith Boylan Democratic
- Arthur Handy Democratic
- Terri Cortvriend Democratic
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (109)
109 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 109 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 57 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 70 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| % of votes cast | 93% | 1% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (75)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Speaker | — | Yea |
| O'Brien | — | Yea |
| ShallcrossSmith | — | Yea |
| Alex Finkelman | Democratic | Yea |
| Alex Marszalkowski | Democratic | Yea |
| Anthony J. DeSimone | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur Handy | Democratic | Yea |
| Arthur J. Corvese | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon C. Potter | Democratic | Yea |
| Brandon T. Voas | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Patrick Kennedy | Democratic | Yea |
| Carol Hagan McEntee | Democratic | Yea |
| Charlene M. Lima | Democratic | Yea |
| Cherie L. Cruz | Democratic | Yea |
| David A. Bennett | Democratic | Yea |
| David Morales | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Deborah A. Fellela | Democratic | Yea |
| Earl A. Read, III | Democratic | Yea |
| Edith H. Ajello | Democratic | Yea |
| Enrique George Sanchez | Democratic | Yea |
| Evan P. Shanley | Democratic | Yea |
| Grace Diaz | Democratic | Yea |
| Gregory J. Costantino | Democratic | Yea |
| Jacquelyn M. Baginski | Democratic | Yea |
| Jason Knight | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Jenni A. Furtado | Democratic | Yea |
| Jennifer A. Stewart | Democratic | Yea |
| Jennifer Smith Boylan | Democratic | Yea |
| John G. Edwards | Democratic | Yea |
| John J. Lombardi | Democratic | Yea |
| Jose F. Batista | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Joseph M. McNamara | Democratic | Yea |
| Joshua J. Giraldo | Democratic | Yea |
| Julie A. Casimiro | Democratic | Yea |
| June Speakman | Democratic | Yea |
| Justine A. Caldwell | Democratic | Yea |
| K. Joseph Shekarchi | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Karen Alzate | Democratic | Yea |
| Katherine S. Kazarian | Democratic | Yea |
| Kathleen A. Fogarty | Democratic | Yea |
| Lauren H. Carson | Democratic | Yea |
| Leonela Felix | Democratic | Yea |
| Marvin L. Abney | Democratic | Yea |
| Mary Duffy Messier | Democratic | Yea |
| Matt S. Dawson | Democratic | Yea |
| Megan L. Cotter | Democratic | Yea |
| Mia A. Ackerman | Democratic | Yea |
| Michelle E. McGaw | Democratic | Yea |
| Nathan W. Biah | Democratic | Yea |
| Patricia A. Serpa | Democratic | Yea |
| Ramon A. Perez | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Raymond A. Hull | Democratic | Yea |
| Rebecca M. Kislak | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert D. Phillips | Democratic | Yea |
| Robert E. Craven, Sr. | Democratic | Yea |
| Samuel A. Azzinaro | Democratic | Yea |
| Scott A. Slater | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephen M. Casey | Democratic | Yea |
| Susan R. Donovan | Democratic | Yea |
| Teresa Ann Tanzi | Democratic | Yea |
| Terri Cortvriend | Democratic | Yea |
| Thomas E. Noret | Democratic | Yea |
| Tina L. Spears | Democratic | Yea |
| Jon D. Brien | Independent | Yea |
| Brian C. Newberry | Republican | Yea |
| Christopher G. Paplauskas | Republican | Yea |
| David J. Place | Republican | Yea |
| George A Nardone | Republican | Yea |
| Marie A. Hopkins | Republican | Yea |
| Michael W. Chippendale | Republican | Nay |
| Paul M. Santucci | Republican | Yea |
| Richard R. Fascia | Republican | Yea |
| Robert J. Quattrocchi | Republican | Yea |
| Sherry Roberts | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 7879 do?
- Facilitates the study of thermal energy technology to determine if these goals can be met by the implementation of thermal energy networks in Rhode Island.
- Who sponsors HB 7879?
- HB 7879 is sponsored by John G. Edwards (Democratic), Michelle E. McGaw (Democratic), Jennifer Smith Boylan (Democratic), Arthur Handy (Democratic), and Terri Cortvriend (Democratic).
- What is the current status of HB 7879?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 27, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 7879?
- Track HB 7879 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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