The bill HR 5847 proposes the establishment of a special legislative commission to study and address the flooding issues of the Pawtuxet River in Rhode Island. The commission will consist of eleven members, including representatives from the House of Representatives, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, local homeowners and business owners, and various state agency directors. Its objectives include exploring potential solutions such as infrastructure improvements, constructing flood defenses, enhancing storm drainage systems, implementing green infrastructure, revising land use planning, and promoting community preparedness initiatives to mitigate flood impacts.

The commission is required to meet and organize promptly after the bill's passage, with a chairperson selected from among the legislators. It will gather information and advice from state departments and agencies to facilitate its work. The commission is expected to report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives by March 2, 2026, and will be dissolved on June 2, 2026. This initiative aims to address the ongoing flooding situation that has affected neighborhoods along the Pawtuxet River, particularly following severe weather events in late 2023 and early 2024.