Housing and Municipal Government

This bill authorizes the City of Cranston to issue up to $8 million in general obligation bonds to fund the design, construction, repair, and improvement of its streets, sidewalks, and bridges. The funds can be used for various infrastructure projects, including paving, drainage systems, traffic control devices, road maintenance equipment, safety upgrades, and landscaping. The legislation allows the city to sell these bonds in different forms, such as zero coupon or serial bonds, with repayment terms ranging from five to thirty years. Additionally, the bill permits the city to issue temporary notes to manage cash flow before the main bonds are sold and provides a framework for repaying any borrowed funds using future bond proceeds.

SB 3293 modifies how veterans and their unmarried widows or widowers receive property tax relief in the city of Cranston, Rhode Island. Specifically, it changes the existing tax exemption for qualifying veterans in Cranston to a tax credit, limiting the annual benefit to a maximum of $182.90 that is adjusted every three years based on property revaluation and the consumer price index. This bill directly affects current and former military service members and their spouses residing in Cranston who would otherwise be eligible for a standard property tax exemption.

Authorizes the city of Cranston to issue not more than eight million dollars ($8,000,000) general obligation bonds and temporary notes for the acquisition, improvement, renovation and repair of fire and public safety equipment in the city.

This bill authorizes the town of Coventry to split its property tax bill between residential and commercial properties based on a specific percentage set by the town council. It requires the town assessor to calculate the total tax amount and then apply different rates to each property type - such as single-family homes versus businesses - to ensure the correct share of the tax is collected from each. The law applies retroactively starting December 31, 2025, allowing the town to adjust how taxes are levied for that period and going forward.

This bill authorizes several Rhode Island municipalities to offer property tax credits or exemptions for residents aged 65 and older. It allows local town councils to establish specific rules and dollar limits for these benefits, which can range from a flat reduction to a percentage of the property's value. The changes apply to real estate owned and occupied by eligible seniors and are designed to be applied uniformly without considering the applicant's ability to pay. By amending state tax laws, the legislation gives local governments the flexibility to create their own programs while ensuring all qualifying residents receive the same treatment.