What’s Up Newport — Shoreline access expected to be among legislatures top priorities when it convenes in January

Dec 25, 2022

By Frank Prosnitz — When the Rhode Island State Legislature convenes on Jan. 4, it’s certain that shoreline access will be among its top priorities.

When the Rhode Island State Legislature convenes on Jan. 4, it’s certain that shoreline access will be among its top priorities. In the 2022 session, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a shoreline access bill, only to see the Senate fail to consider the legislation.

The shoreline access bill did not pass the House until late in the 2022 session, early June, and was without a Senate sponsor. According to some Senators, the late House passage did not give the Senate ample time to research, debate and vote on the legislation

It will be different this year, according to state Rep. Terri-Denise Cortvriend, D-District 72, representing Middletown and Portsmouth. 

“I look forward to helping to shepherd the shoreline access bill to passage this year,” Cortvriend said. “As you may recall the House unanimously passed the bill last year, but we lacked a Senate sponsor. 

“The bill will definitely be introduced and get a hearing in the Senate this year,” she said. “The House will have to hear the bill again and bring it to the floor for passage. I am hoping that the House can do this early in the session and I believe that support remains strong.”  

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