2026 -- H 7129

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LC003776

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Ajello, Morales, Felix, Alzate, Stewart, Cruz,
Furtado, and Giraldo

     Date Introduced: January 15, 2026

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant

Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     34-18-63. Prohibition on algorithmic rent setting.

     (a) Definitions. As used in this section:

     (1) “Nonpublic competitor data” means information not available to the general public

including, but not limited to, actual rent amounts, occupancy levels, lease start and end dates, or

other similar data, regardless of whether the information is:

     (i) Attributable to a specific competitor or anonymized; and

     (ii) Derived from, shared by, or otherwise provided by another person or entity that

competes in the same or a related residential rental market.

     (2) “Revenue management device” means a device, system, or software, commonly known

as revenue management or rent optimization software, that uses one or more programmed or

automated processes to perform calculations using nonpublic competitor data concerning local or

statewide rental rates or occupancy levels for the purpose of advising a landlord on:

     (i) Whether to leave a residential dwelling unit vacant; or

     (ii) The amount of rent that the landlord may charge or obtain for a residential dwelling

unit.

     The term “revenue management device” includes any product or service that incorporates

such a device, but does not include:

     (A) A report or publication that presents existing rental data in an aggregated or historical

manner and does not recommend or determine rental rates or occupancy levels for future leases; or

     (B) A product or system used solely for the purpose of establishing rent or income limits

in accordance with the guidelines of a local, state, or federal affordable housing program.

     (b) Prohibited conduct.

     It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to use a revenue management device or

nonpublic competitor data to set, recommend, or determine rental rates or occupancy levels for

residential dwelling units within the state.

     (c) Enforcement.

     (1) A violation of this section shall constitute an unfair or deceptive trade act or practice

under chapter 13.1 of title 6.

     (2) The attorney general is authorized to investigate and enforce this section and to seek all

remedies available under chapter 13.1 of title 6, including injunctive relief, civil penalties,

restitution, and costs.

     (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any private right of action otherwise

available under state law.

     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 PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

***

     This act would amend the residential landlord and tenant act to prohibit the use of

algorithmic renting-setting software that relies on nonpublic competitor data to determine rental

prices or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in Rhode Island.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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