HB 7151 allows the town of Jamestown to create a new property tax exemption program for seniors aged 65+ who own and occupy their primary residence. The bill establishes income-based exemption tiers (ranging from 10% to 60% of property value) based on household income relative to federal poverty guidelines, with strict residency requirements (5 years in Jamestown). It explicitly excludes income-producing properties (like home offices or rental units) and requires applicants to provide income documentation. This bill directly affects eligible Jamestown seniors meeting the income, residency, and property-use criteria.
Amends the residential landlord and tenant act to prohibit the use of algorithmic renting-setting software that relies on nonpublic competitor data to determine rental prices or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in Rhode Island.
Requires single-family residential zoning in municipalities with populations of over forty-thousand (40,000) to allow middle housing and mandates that those municipalities adopt zoning regulations for middle housing.
Restores the requirement that a local review board issue findings for denial in reviewing a comprehensive permit request and clarifies that affordable housing units shall be included in each town and city when the building permits for units are granted.
Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent. Effective 7/1/26.
Updates the Homeless Bill of Rights law to add rules governing the interaction with encampments and includes the right to access clean and sanitary conditions.
Permits every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not be limited by this section.
This bill amends Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act to explicitly allow tenants with disabilities to keep service animals (trained dogs) and emotional support animals (dogs or cats providing emotional support, without certification) in rental housing. It prohibits landlords from denying housing or imposing fees based on these animals. The law directly affects renters with disabilities who rely on such animals for daily living and ensures they cannot be discriminated against for this accommodation. Key provisions clarify definitions of "emotional support animal" and require landlords to make reasonable accommodations for these animals under fair housing law.
Removes the five (5) year waiting period for filing a motion to seal an eviction court file. It also deletes the numerical limitation on filing seal requests.
Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to Sojourner House to support its permanent housing development program that provides safe, secure housing to individuals and families fleeing from dangerous situations.
