H7914

Protects Rhode Island natural forests by banning extractive and even-age logging on state lands and preserves, allowing only limited safety, invasive removal, or selection management after review, hearings, and fines for violations.

Introduced·2/27/26
Introduced Text

Rhode Island bill bans logging on state lands and preserves, allowing only limited safety, invasive removal, or selection management after review.

Rhode Island H7914, the Natural Forest Protection Act, bans extractive and even-age logging on state lands and preserves. It allows only limited safety, invasive removal, or selection management after review, hearings, and fines for violations. The bill establishes a natural heritage program within the Rhode Island historical preservation and heritage commission to manage natural area preserves. It designates specific areas as natural area preserves and prohibits extractive logging, even-age logging operations, and the use of forestry vehicles in these preserves.

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  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

DD
2
0
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Calendar

Mar 31

12:00 AM

House Environment and Natural Resources Hearing

History

Mar 31

House

Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Mar 27

House

Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/31/2026)

Feb 27

House

Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources