2026 -- S 2391

========

LC004320

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- PUBLIC AUCTIONS OF REAL ESTATE

     

     Introduced By: Senators Patalano, Dimitri, Ciccone, LaMountain, Tikoian, Famiglietti,
Quezada, Appollonio, Thompson, and Raptakis

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Purpose

2

     The purpose of this act is to bring greater public scrutiny to the public auction sales of real

3

estate in Rhode Island.

4

     SECTION 2. Title 34 of the General Laws entitled "PROPERTY" is hereby amended by

5

adding thereto the following chapter:

6

CHAPTER 51

7

PUBLIC AUCTIONS OF REAL ESTATE

8

     34-51-1. Public auctions of real estate.

9

     (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, public auctions by any city or town

10

of real estate or an interest therein shall only be done in person at the time and place specified in

11

the legal advertisement, and in accordance with Rhode Island statutes that govern said sales, to

12

include, but not be limited to, the provisions of chapter 9 of title 44.

13

     (b) No public auction of real estate or an interest therein shall be done by electronic or

14

remote procedures unless authorized by court order of the Rhode Island superior court, after hearing

15

thereon and a finding that an in-person auction is not feasible under the circumstances of the

16

specific case.

 

1

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC004320

========

 

LC004320 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- PUBLIC AUCTIONS OF REAL ESTATE

***

1

     This act would require public auctions by any city or town of real estate or an interest

2

therein to only be done in person and not by electronic or remote procedures unless authorized by

3

court order.

4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC004320

========

 

LC004320 - Page 3 of 3