2026 -- H 8035

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LC005468

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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 -- PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Santucci, Chippendale, Nardone, Newberry, Costantino,
Place, Roberts, and Hopkins

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 45 of the General Laws entitled "TOWNS AND CITIES" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 71

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PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL

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     45-71-1. Property tax increase prohibited.

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     (a) Any city or town that adopts an ordinance limiting the right of a property owner,

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property manager, or landlord to increase rent prices on a rental unit shall be prohibited from

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increasing property tax rates or reassessing property values on affected rental units for as long as

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the ordinance limiting rental increases remains in effect.

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     (b) The prohibition against increasing property tax rates or reassessing property values

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established in this section shall remain in effect only in taxable years in which a city or town

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maintains an adopted ordinance limiting the right of a property owner, property manager, or

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landlord to increase rent prices on a rental unit.

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     (c) For the purpose of this section “rental unit” means any part of a housing accommodation

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rented or offered for rent for residential occupancy, including apartments, rooms, condominiums,

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single-family homes, or manufactured homes.

 

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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 TOWNS AND CITIES -- PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL

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     This act would prohibit cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising

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property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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