2026 -- H 8027

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LC005790

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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 TOWNS AND CITIES -- ACTIONS BY AND AGAINST TOWNS

     Introduced By: Representatives Stewart, Cruz, Tanzi, Handy, Morales, Potter, Speakman,
and Batista

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 45-15-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-15 entitled "Actions by

and Against Towns" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     45-15-5. Presentment to council of claim or demand against town.

     (a) Every person who has any money due him or her from any town or city, or any claim

or demand against any town or city, for any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever, shall take the

following method to obtain what is due: The person shall present to the town council of the town,

or to the city council of the city, a particular account of that person’s claim, debt, damages, or

demand, and how incurred or contracted; which being done, in case just and due satisfaction is not

made to him or her by the town or city treasurer of the town or city within forty (40) days after the

presentment of the claim, debt, damages, or demand, the person may commence his or her action

against the treasurer for the recovery of the complaint.

     (b) Within sixty (60) days of the close of their fiscal year, every municipality shall be

required to disclose on their official website the following information:

     (1) A list of civil actions filed in state or federal court during the year, or which concluded

during the year, in which the municipality, or any official or employee of the municipality, sued or

was sued in their official capacity;

     (2) The case number for each civil action and the court in which it was filed;

     (3) A short description of the legal claims asserted in the case;

     (4) The current status of the case;

     (5) The amount of legal fees incurred and/or paid by the municipality related to the civil

action; and

     (6) Upon conclusion of the civil action, a breakdown of all costs and expenses in the

following categories:

     (i) Court costs;

     (ii) Legal fees;

     (iii) Expert witness fees;

     (iv) Compensatory and punitive damages; and

     (v) Any other costs, fees or expenses incurred.

     (c) Nothing contained in subsection (b) of this section shall be construed to affect the

availability of records pursuant to chapter 2 of title 38 ("access to public records").

     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 TOWNS AND CITIES -- ACTIONS BY AND AGAINST TOWNS

***

     This act would require a municipality to disclose on their official website the specific

issues, details and costs of any civil action in which the town or city was a plaintiff, a named

defendant or any official or employee of the municipality sued or was sued in their official capacity

within sixty (60) days after the close of the fiscal year.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005790

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