The bill HR 7532 establishes a special joint legislative commission in Rhode Island to study sludge management. Sludge, which includes solid, semisolid, or liquid waste from various treatment facilities, poses significant environmental and public health challenges. The commission will consist of 20 members, including representatives from the House and Senate, environmental organizations, state agencies, and academic institutions. Its primary focus will be on evaluating the current state of sludge management, particularly the sludge incinerator at the Woonsocket thermal conversion facility, and exploring sustainable disposal technologies such as pyrolysis.

The commission is tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of sludge management practices, assessing costs to ratepayers, and identifying potential statewide solutions. It is required to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 5, 2027, and will dissolve on March 5, 2027. Members of the commission will serve without compensation, and state agencies are expected to provide necessary support and information to facilitate the commission's work.

Introduced by Representatives Cortvriend, Noret, and Phillips on February 06, the bill has been referred to the House Environment and Natural Resources.