SB 539 Rhode Island Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE

SB 539 amends filing fees required to appeal certain district court decisions. It mandates a $50 attorney fee for all civil appeals (paid to the opposing party's lawyer) plus a $75 filing fee (including processing and technology fees), with a minimum $25 in other costs. Landlord-tenant cases get a longer 5-day appeal window (including weekends/holidays) versus the standard 2-day window for other civil appeals. The changes apply to all parties appealing district court judgments and take effect January 1, 2026.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 26, 2025 Last action Mar 13, 2025
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Full legislative history

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Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
03/13/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
legislature
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced
02/26/2025 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
upper
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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