2026 -- H 8008

========

LC005529

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY CURRENT

CONDOMINIUM LAW AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS

TO TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ONGOING AFFORDABILITY OF

CONDOMINIUMS IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, and Boylan

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is experiencing a serious shortage of housing for all but the

highest income levels; and

     WHEREAS, Our state government is prioritizing housing development and production

through numerous and varied policies, incentives, and programs; and

     WHEREAS, Condominiums represent an opportunity to greatly increase the supply of

both naturally occurring and deed restricted affordable housing in the State of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s condominium laws have not had comprehensive review in

several decades; and

     WHEREAS, Condominium management is highly complex as it is dictated by both

statutory and contractual obligations, which may be in tension to one another; and

     WHEREAS, The complexity of condominiums may impact the understanding unit

owners and condominium board members have as to their rights and responsibilities, leading to

conflict and disagreement, thus ultimately impacting ownership satisfaction, the quality of life

within the condominium community, affordability and sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, Rising costs of day-to-day and long-term capital needs contribute to

instability and unaffordability for condominium unit owners and associations alike; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of sixteen (16) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island

House of Representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by

the Speaker of the House; three (3) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more than two

(2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom

shall be the Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing, or designee; one of whom shall be the

Executive Director of the Community Housing Land Trust of Rhode Island, or designee; one of

whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or

designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Builders Association, or

designee; one of whom shall be a representative of a lending institution making mortgages

available to individual owners of condominiums and loans to condominium associations, to be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a representative of the insurance

industry who has expertise in underwriting insurance policies for condominium owners and

associations, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be an attorney

with expertise in condominium law, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom

shall be a representative of a property management company with expertise in providing

management services to condominium associations, to be appointed by the President of the

Senate; one of whom shall be a current owner of a condominium in the State of Rhode Island, to

be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one of whom shall be a current owner of a

condominium in the State of Rhode Island, to be appointed by the President of the Senate.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing

authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to make a comprehensive study identifying

existing challenges within Rhode Island’s current condominium law and potential need for

changes to allow for greater participation in condominium governance, greater efficacy,

transparency and accountability within condominium management and improved long-term

affordability of condominiums for all unit owners and associations. The study shall include, but

not be limited to:

     Examination of Uniform Acts from other states;

     Identification constraints and challenges within current law that impede accessibly and

     transparency within condominium governance;

     Identification of constraints and challenges within the current law and general conditions

     of the market that make cost containment and ongoing affordability challenging;

     Consideration as to whether low- and moderate-income housing units have additional

LC005529 - Page 2 of 4

     affordability constraints that warrants specific consideration in condominium fee and

     special assessment setting;

     Examine best practices for improving purchaser understanding of condominium

     ownership and governance;

     Examine best practices for conflict resolution between condominium owners and

     condominium association; and

     Consider resources that are available or could be made available to address affordability

     challenges within condominium associations and/or unit owners.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate and organize and shall select

from among the legislators, co-chairpersons.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

General Assembly no later than December 31, 2027, and said commission shall expire on March

15, 2028.

========

LC005529

========

LC005529 - Page 3 of 4

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY CURRENT

CONDOMINIUM LAW AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS

TO TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND ONGOING AFFORDABILITY OF

CONDOMINIUMS IN RHODE ISLAND

***

     This resolution would create a sixteen (16) member special legislative commission whose

purpose it would be to study current condominium law and provide recommendations for

improvements to transparency, accountability and ongoing affordability of condominiums in

Rhode Island, and who would report back to the General Assembly on or before December 31,

2027, and whose life would expire on March 15, 2028.

========

LC005529

========

LC005529 - Page 4 of 4