Legislator Spotlight: Representative Jennifer Boylan, Rhode Island

Overview

State Representative Jennifer Boylan was first elected to represent Rhode Island’s District 66 in November 2022. She serves as a member of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee; the House Health and Human Services Committee; and the House Oversight Committee. She has served as an environmental champion in her community for many years, promoting initiatives like composting, waste minimization, banning plastic bags, safe athletic fields, and protecting local farmland and public open space. She plans to file a diverse set of bills in the 2026 session on issues including: Climate Superfund, Microplastics, Green Hospitals, Green Public Buildings, Invasive Plants, and Pollinator Protections.

Rep. Boylan is currently serving as NCEL’s Rhode Island State Lead.

What motivated you to get involved with environmental issues?

“I studied earth science in college and grad school, and my first career was as an environmental scientist. Protecting the environment has always been a top priority for me.”

What environmental issues are you most passionate about and why?

“Addressing climate change and pollution. I have a seat on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee where I can learn about and influence bills and laws. This year, I have introduced Climate Superfund; an artificial turf chain-of-custody bill; a bill to address microplastics; a Lead By Example Bill that addresses renewables in buildings, electric vehicles, recycling, composting, single use plastics; and a green hospitals bill. I also have been working to pass a bottle deposit bill and a building decarbonization bill.”

How has NCEL helped you in your work?

“The website has been a resource for me both for my own bills and for assessing other bills before the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. I have also reached out to NCEL staff when confronted with a policy that I didn’t know much about. And attending the [National Forum] has been very inspiring and has helped educate me on the issues that I want to work on. In October of 2025, I attended the Blue Economy tour organized by NCEL. I loved this trip! I learned so much about the blue economy as we toured various ports, research laboratories, field sites, aquaculture facilities, and more in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine.”