R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-64.13-11: Statewide solar permitting.

(a) No later than December 31, 2016, the office of regulatory reform in consultation with the task force established in subsection (b), shall prepare and submit to the governor, the senate president, and the speaker of the house, a report with recommendations for a statewide permitting process for small residential- and small commercial-rooftop solar projects.

(b) The office of regulatory reform shall establish a task force and appoint members and, at a minimum, shall include:

(1) The commissioner of the office of energy resources, or designee;

(2) At least five (5) municipal representatives; and

(3) A representative from a clean-energy, regional business association.

(c) Implementation. The commissioner of the office of energy resources, in consultation with the director of the office of regulatory reform, shall submit to the governor, the senate president, and the speaker of the house, proposed legislation establishing a statewide permitting process as recommended in the report issued pursuant to subsection (a) no later than January 31, 2017.