2026 -- H 8034

========

LC005484

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

     Introduced By: Representatives Fellela, Fascia, Serpa, and Costantino

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-53 of the General Laws entitled "Low and Moderate Income

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

     45-53-17. Johnston emergency moratorium.

     (a) If the town of Johnston, shall at any time have an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250)

or more units proposed in a comprehensive permit project or projects, the town of Johnston may

enact an emergency moratorium and not accept or process further applications. No application

proposed, offered, submitted or tendered during any moratorium imposed pursuant to the

provisions of this section shall have any grandfathered status.

     (b) The town of Johnston, upon adoption of any moratorium in accordance with the

provisions of subsection (a) of this section, may continue to impose the moratorium until such time

as comprehensive permit requirements in § 45-53-4 are amended.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005484

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

***

     This act would authorize the town of Johnston, if an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250)

or more units should be proposed in comprehensive permit project(s), to enact an emergency

moratorium until the permit requirement of § 45-53-4 are amended.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005484

========

LC005484 - Page 2 of 2