Question 5: Green Economy Bonds ($55 million)

The question on the ballot

Shall the act passed by the General Assembly at the January 2026 session, allowing the State of Rhode Island to issue bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes to pay for the projects listed below, be approved, and the State be allowed to issue these bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes as outlined in the law? 5. GREEN ECONOMY BONDS - $55,000,000 For environmental and recreational purposes, to be allocated as follows: a. Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development - $3,000,000 b. Facility Improvements - $12,000,000 c. Local Recreation Projects - $1,000,000 d. Marine Infrastructure Development - $1,000,000 e. Resilient Rhody Infrastructure Fund - $25,000,000 f. Narragansett Bay Watershed Restoration - $7,000,000 g. Agricultural Land Preservation Commission - $3,000,000 h. Open Space Program - $3,000,000[1]

The bond would provide $55,000,000 for environmental and recreational purposes, including brownfield cleanup ($3,000,000), State park, beach and campground facility improvements ($12,000,000), local recreation grants ($1,000,000), marine infrastructure ($1,000,000), the Resilient Rhody Infrastructure Fund ($25,000,000), Narragansett Bay watershed restoration ($7,000,000), the Agricultural Land Preservation Commission ($3,000,000) and the Open Space Program ($3,000,000). Official cost estimate in the handbook (assuming 5% interest and level payments over 20 years): principal $55,000,000, interest $33,267,500, total $88,267,500.[1]