HB 7981 establishes ranked choice voting (RCV) for municipal elections in jurisdictions where voters approve a charter amendment. It directly affects municipalities that adopt charter changes through voter approval, requiring RCV to be used in subsequent municipal elections. The bill's key mechanism is automatic implementation: once a municipality's charter amendment passes with voter support, RCV becomes the default voting method for local elections. This applies to all municipal elections held under the new charter, without requiring additional legislative action. The bill is currently in the early stage of the legislative process, having been introduced on February 27, 2026.
Tolls the statute of limitations for causes of action arising out of business activities conducted in this state by a person or entity required to register with the secretary of state but failing to do so, until such person or entity becomes registered.
HB 7522 permits the Quonset Development Corporation to own, maintain, and control all streetlights within the Quonset Business Park, resolving current ownership uncertainty. It allows the Corporation to acquire streetlights currently owned by electric companies or municipalities, requiring compensation as outlined in existing law. The bill amends Rhode Island's Municipal Streetlight Investment Act to specifically grant this authority for the Quonset Business Park. This change aims to streamline maintenance and improve safety for pedestrians and drivers in the area.
HB 7519 clarifies that roads within Rhode Island's Quonset Business Park are public roads managed solely by the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC), resolving ownership uncertainty. The bill amends state highway laws to establish QDC as the sole authority responsible for maintaining these roads, including installing traffic controls and enforcing safety regulations. This directly affects the Quonset Business Park's road network and shifts management from the state to QDC under existing legal authority. The bill does not change the roads' status as public infrastructure but specifies QDC's exclusive operational control.
SB 2035 requires that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) be allowed without special approval only if the property is owner-occupied and the owner has resided there for at least five years. This directly affects property owners seeking to build ADUs, as they must meet the 5-year residency requirement before ADUs can be permitted by right. The bill also sets uniform standards, including minimum size requirements (e.g., 900 sq. ft. for one-bedroom ADUs), prohibits excessive fees or discriminatory restrictions, and bans ADUs for short-term rentals. It ensures municipalities cannot impose additional lot requirements or restrict ADUs based on income unless part of specific affordable housing programs.
Modifies the real estate sales disclosure form to include the disclosure of “blower door diagnostic air leakage testing” and advises that air leakage testing is recommended prior to purchasing a residential unit.
SB 2146 creates a regulatory framework for peer-to-peer car sharing through apps (like Turo), requiring specific insurance coverage for rentals. It directly affects users who rent vehicles via these apps and owners who list their cars for rent. The bill prescribes minimum insurance standards to cover liability during rentals, ensuring both renters and vehicle owners have protection under the program.
HB 7232 establishes fusion voting in Rhode Island, allowing candidates to run as nominees of multiple political parties for the same office. Candidates must formally accept each party's nomination in writing, and ballots will display their name under each participating party line. Voters can select the candidate using any party line they appear on, with all votes combined into a single total for the candidate. This directly affects candidates seeking multi-party nominations and voters casting ballots in elections for state and local offices. The bill requires ballot designs and voting equipment to clearly display fusion voting options while preventing duplicate votes.
HB 7267 establishes insurance requirements for peer-to-peer car sharing programs, where individuals rent their personal vehicles through apps. It mandates that during the entire sharing period (from pickup to return), vehicles must have insurance meeting state minimums, and the car sharing platform must cover third-party injuries or property damage unless fraud or failure to return the vehicle occurred. If the owner or driver’s insurance lapses, the platform must provide coverage starting from the first dollar of a claim. This directly affects car sharing platforms, vehicle owners, and drivers using these services.
Allows an owner or owners of real property to execute a deed that names one or more beneficiaries who will obtain title to the property at the owner's death without the necessity of probate.
Prevents condominium associations and home owner associations from prohibiting the installation of EV charging stations to be installed at the owner's expenses.
HB 7411 reduces the fee condominium associations can charge for updating a resale certificate after the initial issuance, capping it at $25 (down from $125). This directly affects condo associations, which must now limit update fees to $25, and unit owners selling their properties, who face lower costs for certificate updates. The bill requires associations to provide the necessary resale certificate information within 10 days of a request, with penalties for delays. It ensures sellers pay only the reduced fee for updates, while protecting purchasers from liability for outdated information in the certificate.
