Bill to revive Rhode Island Housing and Conservation Trust board draws broad support; committee holds

Senate Bill 711, which would reconstitute the Rhode Island Housing and Conservation Trust board and update its membership and duties, drew broad support from housing, conservation and environmental groups at an April 3 committee hearing and was held for further study.

Sponsor said the original 1990 authorizing language created a board that was never funded or fully staffed; SB711 proposes increasing membership, ensuring demographic representation and giving the board a framework to reconcile housing production and land conservation goals. Proponents said the intent is balance: to preserve farmland, forests and public open space while creating opportunities for affordable housing in ways that avoid mutually exclusive choices.

Witnesses supporting the bill included the Rhode Island Land Trust Council, the Nature Conservancy, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and housing advocates. Kate Sales of the Land Trust Council said the bill is modeled on a long‑standing Vermont trust that helped produce both conservation and affordable housing outcomes; she said the bill itself requests establishment of a structure rather than immediate funding.

The Nature Conservancy told the committee that polling and recent bond votes show Rhode Islanders want both conservation and housing action; the organization reported the state’s infrastructure bank had indicated it could house a fund if the legislature authorized it. Supporters said statutory reconstitution and an inclusive appointment process are necessary first steps to get a functioning program.

After testimony the committee moved to hold the bill for further study so sponsors can address appointments, geographic representation and technical questions about how a trust fund and program would be administered. No new state appropriation was requested in committee testimony.