SECTION 1. Section 44-3-32.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-3 entitled "Property Subject to Taxation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

44-3-32.2. Tax exemption for farmland, forestland or open space in cities and towns. -- (a) Cities and towns in the state of Rhode Island may, by ordinance, exempt from taxation any real property situated in the town classified and utilized as farmland, forestland or open space land pursuant to the provisions of chapter 27 of this title. The amount of the exemption shall be provided for by ordinance. Cities and towns may, from time to time, by amendment to the ordinance, make those changes in the amount of exemption granted.

(b) Cities and towns of Rhode Island are authorized by ordinance to provide that any person who obtains an exemption pursuant to the ordinance to which the person is not entitled, by the filing or making of any false statement, or the proffering of any document or other writing known by the person to have been altered, forged, or to contain any false or untrue information, is liable for an amount equal to double the amount of reductions in taxes resulting from the exemption, which amount is recoverable by the city or town in a civil action.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.