Bill Sponsors
Nardone, Roberts, Chippendale, Noret, and Serpa
Committee
House Municipal Government & Housing
Summary
Select
This bill requires the state's Water Resources Board to share a portion of the rental fees it collects from the Coventry Pines Golf Club or from agreements with the town of Coventry. Specifically, 20% of these collected fees will be redirected, with 10% going to the town of Coventry and the other 10% going to the Central Coventry Fire District.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Directs additional funding to the Central Coventry Fire District, supporting essential public safety services for the community.
- Provides additional revenue to the municipal government of Coventry, potentially helping to fund local public services or assist disadvantaged residents.
- Ensures that revenue generated from local land use is reinvested back into the local community, promoting community welfare and localized resource distribution.
Cons for Progressives
- Reduces the revenue available to the state's Water Resources Board, which could negatively impact statewide water management, environmental protection, and conservation efforts.
- Allocates funds to a specific town and fire district without a needs-based assessment, potentially overlooking poorer municipalities with greater funding needs.
- Subsidizes a specific local community using funds generated from land managed by a state agency, which may be seen as an inequitable distribution of state resources.
Pros for Conservatives
- Reallocates funds from a state bureaucracy directly to local municipal services, favoring local control over centralized state management.
- Provides direct financial support to local fire and emergency services, reinforcing public safety and the protection of property.
- Could reduce the need for local property tax increases in Coventry by providing the town with a new stream of non-tax revenue.
Cons for Conservatives
- Mandates a specific revenue-sharing scheme that dictates how state agencies must handle their lease agreements, interfering with the agency's financial independence.
- Benefits a specific local municipality and fire district at the expense of state resources, creating a localized carve-out rather than a uniform policy.
- Could lead to shortfalls in the Water Resources Board budget, potentially resulting in requests for increased state funding or taxes down the line.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Town of Coventry
- Central Coventry Fire District
- Water Resources Board
- Coventry Pines Golf Club
Towns Affected
Coventry
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
Amount unknown
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 05/08/2026 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 46-15 of the General Laws entitled "Water Resources Management" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
46-15-25. Rental fees.
Twenty percent (20%) of all rental fees collected by the water resources board pursuant to a lease agreement with the Coventry Pines Golf Club or a memorandum of understanding with the town of Coventry, shall be remitted as follows:
(1) Ten percent (10%) to the town of Coventry; and
(2) Ten percent (10%) to the Central Coventry Fire District.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
46-15-25. Rental fees.
Twenty percent (20%) of all rental fees collected by the water resources board pursuant to a lease agreement with the Coventry Pines Golf Club or a memorandum of understanding with the town of Coventry, shall be remitted as follows:
(1) Ten percent (10%) to the town of Coventry; and
(2) Ten percent (10%) to the Central Coventry Fire District.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.