Committee advances Cochran bill freezing current building energy standards, votes 11–0

A House committee voted unanimously to advance Representative Cochran’s bill to freeze Rhode Island’s current building energy-efficiency standards.

Representative Cochran told the committee the measure locks in the standards adopted most recently so builders have time to learn and comply with those rules, and urged the panel to pass the bill. He said the bill would allow the legislature to adopt stricter standards later if it chooses, but would prevent any near-term rollback of the existing code.

The bill was moved for passage by Representative Cochran and seconded. The chair called a roll and the committee recorded the motion as passing 11 to 0. Committee staff indicated the measure will go back to the sponsor’s commission for follow-up.

Supporters said the freeze reduces regulatory uncertainty for builders who are still adjusting to recent code changes. Opponents did not speak at length during the recorded vote, and the committee made no substantive finding on the merits at that time; the chair noted that the earlier procedural motion to hold other bills for study applied to the remaining agenda items.

The committee’s recorded tally matched the earlier attendance roll; the committee’s clerk read members present, and the chair announced the 11–0 outcome. The bill will proceed to the next legislative step set by house rules.