2026 -- H 8042

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LC005916

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RHODE ISLAND

CONDOMINIUM ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Carson, Boylan, Cortvriend, McGaw, Diaz,
Casey, Giraldo, Voas, and Casimiro

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Condominium Act was passed in 1982 (the “Act”); and

     WHEREAS, The Act has not been significantly amended or updated in several decades;

and

     WHEREAS, Amendments may be needed to reflect the extensive development of

condominiums, court interpretations of the Act, and modern issues arising with the development,

construction, maintenance, financing, and operation of condominiums; and

     WHEREAS, Condominium development and ownership is utilized for both commercial

and residential purposes, and there may be a need to provide separate requirements and

considerations for each; and

     WHEREAS, Condominiums remain a significant opportunity to increase the supply of

housing, including both naturally occurring and deed-restricted affordable housing in the State of

Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, It is imperative for the House to undertake a broad-based review of the Act

to maintain and encourage the development of condominiums as an effective housing option in

the state; now, therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That a special House legislative commission is hereby created consisting of

eleven (11) members, including the Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing, or designee;

the Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee; the

President of the Rhode Island Builders Association, or designee; a representative of a lending

institution making mortgages available to individual condominium owners and loans to

condominium associations, appointed by the Speaker of the House; a representative of the

insurance industry with expertise in underwriting insurance policies for condominium owners and

associations, appointed by the Speaker of the House; two attorneys with expertise in

condominium law, appointed by the Speaker of the House; a representative of a property

management company with expertise in providing management services to condominium

associations, appointed by the Speaker of the House; two current owners of residential

condominiums in Rhode Island who serve on the governing boards of their respective

associations, appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one current owner of a commercial

condominium in Rhode Island who serves on the governing board of their respective association,

appointed by the Speaker of the House.

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

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

changes and updates related to condominium development requirements, governance, and

management.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House, organize, and select co-chairpersons from among the

legislators.

     Vacancies in the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original

appointments, and that members of the 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 the commission and its agents as deemed necessary or desirable

by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for the

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 the commission shall expire on March

15, 2028.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE RHODE ISLAND

CONDOMINIUM ACT

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     This resolution would create a special legislative commission to study the Rhode Island

condominium act.

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LC005916

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