2024 -- S 2896

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LC004943

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE -- UNCLAIMED INTANGIBLE

AND TANGIBLE PROPERTY

     

     Introduced By: Senators Britto, Murray, DiMario, Miller, Sosnowski, Gu, Acosta, Mack,
Bissaillon, and F. Lombardi

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     (General Treasurer)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 33-21.1-35 of the General Laws in Chapter 33-21.1 entitled

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"Unclaimed Intangible and Tangible Property" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     33-21.1-35. Agreement to locate reported property.

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     (a) All agreements to pay compensation to recover or assist in the recovery of property

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reported under § 33-21.1-17, made within twenty four (24) months after the date payment or

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delivery is made under § 33-21.1-19, are unenforceable.

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     (b) Agreements pursuant to subsection (a) of this section entered into any time after the

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twenty-four (24) month period are valid only if:

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     (1) The aggregate fee, compensation, commission, or other remuneration agreed upon is

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not more than ten percent (10%) of the value of the property;

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     (2) The agreement is in writing;

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     (3) The agreement clearly states that the property may be claimed by the apparent owner

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from the general treasurer free of charge;

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     (4) The agreement is signed by the apparent owner; and

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     (5) The agreement clearly sets forth the nature and value of the property and the value of

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the apparent owner's share after the fee or compensation has been deducted.

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     (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an owner from asserting at any

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time that an agreement to locate property is based upon excessive or unjust consideration.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROBATE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE -- UNCLAIMED INTANGIBLE

AND TANGIBLE PROPERTY

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     This act would provide conditions which persons paid to recover or assist in recovering

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reported property must comply with.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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