2026 -- S 2312

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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 COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURES -- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR

ACTIONS -- ARBITRATION

     Introduced By: Senators Appollonio, Thompson, Dimitri, Famiglietti, and Britto

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 10-3-6 and 10-3-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 10-3 entitled

"Arbitration" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     10-3-6. Judicial appointment of arbitrators.

     (a) If, in the agreement, provision is made for a method of naming or appointing an

arbitrator or arbitrators or an umpire, the method shall be followed; but if no method is provided in

the agreement, or if a method is provided and any party thereto shall fail to avail himself or herself

of such method, or if for any other reason there shall be a lapse in the naming of an arbitrator or

arbitrators or an umpire, or in filling a vacancy, then, upon the application of either party to the

controversy, the court, as described in § 10-3-4, shall designate and appoint an arbitrator or

arbitrators or umpire, as the case may require, who shall act under the agreement with the same

force and effect as if he, she, or they had been specifically named in the agreement; and, unless

otherwise provided in the agreement, the arbitration shall be by a single arbitrator.

     (b) The court shall appoint an arbitrator, appraiser, or umpire under this section upon a

showing that any party has failed, refused, or neglected to make a required appointment under the

agreement, or has otherwise caused an unreasonable delay in the naming or selection thereof.

Where the agreement contemplates that each party shall appoint an arbitrator or appraiser and that

the two (2) so appointed shall thereafter select an umpire or third arbitrator, the court shall, upon

application, appoint both an arbitrator or appraiser on behalf of the non-complying party and an

umpire or third arbitrator if necessary, to ensure that the arbitration or appraisal may proceed.

Judicial appointment under this section shall not be withheld on the ground that one party has failed

to make an appointment required by the agreement. The purpose of judicial appointment under this

section is to ensure that arbitration or appraisal proceedings proceed expeditiously and without

prejudice to the party that has complied with the agreement.

     10-3-15. Notice of motion to vacate, modify, or correct award.

     Notice of a motion to vacate, modify, or correct an award must be served upon the adverse

party or his or her attorney within sixty (60) thirty (30) days after the award is filed or delivered,

and before the award is confirmed, as prescribed by law for service of notice of a motion in an

action at law. The court may make an order, to be served with the notice of the motion, staying the

proceedings of the adverse party to enforce the award.

     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 COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURES -- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR

ACTIONS -- ARBITRATION

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     This act would strengthen consumer protections in insurance claims by improving the

fairness and timeliness of arbitration and appraisal proceedings, and preventing insurers from

delaying or obstructing the dispute resolution process by allowing the court to resolve appraisal

and arbitration disputes to provide an equitable remedy to the aggrieved party.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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