2018 -- H 7978 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- BY POSSESSION AND PRESCRIPTION

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Carson, Fogarty, Donovan, and Knight

     Date Introduced: March 16, 2018

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     (Attorney General)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Legislative findings. The general assembly finds and declares that the intent

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in enacting the 2018 amendments to § 34-7-4 ("right of footway denied") is not to change the

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meaning or effect of the prior law but, instead, to make what was originally intended

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unmistakably clear. Nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the public rights accrued under

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the doctrine of the implied dedication.

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     SECTION 2. Section 34-7-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-7 entitled "By Possession

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and Prescription" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     34-7-4. Right of footway denied.

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     No private right of footway, except claimed in connection with a right to pass with

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carriages, shall be acquired by prescription or adverse use for any length of time.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- BY POSSESSION AND PRESCRIPTION

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     This act would clarify that § 34-7-4 ("right of footway denied") applies only to private

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rights of footway.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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