RI H8151

Authorizes up to $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds for the "Blue Wave Bond for Coastal Preparedness," subject to voter approval at the November 2026 general election

Allocates funds across eight categories: coastal/shoreline protection ($30M), stormwater/flood mitigation ($20M), wastewater/drinking water resilience ($15M), transportation/evacuation routes ($10M), energy/critical infrastructure ($10M), port/waterfront resilience ($10M), public facilities/resilience hubs ($3M), and workforce training ($2M)

Requires all funded projects to align with the state's Resilient Rhody 2025 report and address high-risk areas vulnerable to sea level rise, coastal flooding, storm surge, erosion, and other climate hazards within a 10-year implementation horizon

Mandates regional equity with minimum 15% of proceeds allocated to each of five geographic regions (Washington, Kent, Providence, Bristol/Newport, and Blackstone Valley counties), plus at least 25% available through competitive grants to municipalities

Requires an implementation plan within 180 days of voter approval, annual public reporting on project status and outcomes, and caps administrative costs at 2% of total bond proceeds