Housing

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8112: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingIncreases security deposit limit from 1 to 2 months rent, weakening tenant financial protections and affordability per housing topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 8034: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Authorizes the town of Johnston, if an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250) or more units should be proposed in comprehensive permit project(s), to enact an emergency moratorium until the permit requirement of § 45-53-4 are amended.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAuthorizes moratorium on housing permits for large projects, restricting development of low/moderate income housing units until permit rules change.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2691: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates housing densities not exceed water availability and prevent pollution in watersheds, strengthening environmental protections for water resources and pollution control.92% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEliminates density bonuses for housing development in watersheds, restricting housing density requirements that would advance affordable housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Land Use Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 7492: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWN AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING -- COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT PROJECTS IN TIVERTON

Provides that comprehensive permit projects in Tiverton, involving property not connected to either public water or sewer or both, and for which the property is considered hydric said land be excluded from the building land calculation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables low/moderate income housing development in Tiverton by exempting hydric land from building land calculations, facilitating permit approval for comprehensive projects.92% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 7564: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOME-FIT DWELLING UNITS

Creates the home-fit dwelling units act to apply to all new construction of covered dwelling units to incorporate design features that provide safe and convenient use of to the greatest extent feasible, regardless of age or physical ability.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires accessible design in new construction, preventing housing discrimination against people with disabilities.90% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House May 7, 2026

HB 7700: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Increases the income range up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and tax credit up to eight hundred fifty dollars ($850), for elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit for elderly/disabled homeowners, providing direct tax relief to lower-income groups per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tax credits for elderly/disabled renters/homeowners, reducing housing costs and enhancing affordability for vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 7777: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS--WARWICK MUNICIPAL COURT

HB 7777 expands the Warwick municipal court's authority to handle cases involving zoning violations, housing maintenance codes, building regulations, and related local ordinances. The bill removes the court's power to impose jail sentences, restricting penalties to fines of up to $500 per violation. It also grants the court the ability to order repairs or corrective actions for housing code violations, such as fixing unsafe dwellings. This change directly affects residents and property owners in Warwick who face enforcement under these housing, building, and zoning codes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates court-ordered repairs for unsafe housing code violations, strengthening tenant safety protections without jail penalties. Directly addresses housing maintenance enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2701: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Authorizes the town of Johnston, if an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250) or more units should be proposed in comprehensive permit project(s), to enact an emergency moratorium until the permit requirement of § 45-53-4 are amended.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAllows emergency moratorium on large housing projects (250+ units), restricting development and potentially reducing affordable housing supply.85% confidence

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 8005: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 8005 changes how local governments in Rhode Island can set parking requirements for new housing. It amends zoning rules to adjust standards for permitted parking spaces in dwelling units, particularly affecting towns and cities that create zoning ordinances. The key change modifies Section 45-24-33's provisions about parking areas (subsection 4[vi]), clarifying how municipalities may limit or require parking based on development type. This directly impacts developers building new residential projects and local officials drafting zoning rules. The bill does not eliminate parking requirements but refines how they are applied within zoning codes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces parking requirements for new housing, lowering development costs and facilitating more housing construction, directly supporting affordable housing and development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 8017: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Changes the assessment for residential property where forty percent (40%) of the dwellings are below eighty percent (80%) of statewide median income and thirty percent (30%) are below sixty percent (60%).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts property tax assessments downward for areas with high low-income housing, providing tax relief to lower-income residents per bill's income thresholds.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdjusts property tax assessments for areas with high low-income housing, reducing tax burden to support affordable housing development per income thresholds.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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