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Rhode IslandH81012026 Regular SessionHouse

AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ABANDONED PROPERTY .

Sponsored By: June Speakman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

Buyers must finish repairs or lose title

If a judge approves a sale before the nuisance is fixed and the building is unoccupied, the sale order and deed include a reverter. The buyer must complete the approved abatement plan on time and at the buyer’s sole cost. If the buyer fails to finish, the property can revert under the deed.

Clear rules for abandonment and nuisances

A building counts as abandoned only when serious code violations are documented, the owner was notified, and the owner did not fix them on time. A property is not abandoned just because it is for sale, in redevelopment, or vacant if it is kept up and the owner responds to health and safety issues. A building is a public nuisance only if violations are documented with notice and no fix, the property is condemned, or officials issue written warnings the owner did not address.

Cities list abandoned homes; faster safety hearings

By April 2, 2025, every city and town publishes a yearly list of properties that may be abandoned. The list is in the clerk’s office and on the city or town website, and owners get a mailed notice. To ask a court for an injunction, applicants must show the property is on the list, list the violations, and prove the abandonment rules were met. Courts usually wait at least 20 days after service for a hearing. A judge can hear the case sooner if there is an immediate health or safety threat shown by a condemnation or a written notice from health, safety, or building officials.

RI Housing properties are exempt

Properties owned by Rhode Island Housing or its subsidiaries are not covered by this chapter. The receivership, sale, and nuisance‑abatement rules here do not apply to those properties.

Stricter standards to appoint receivers

A court receiver must be a lawyer certified by the court. The court cannot appoint a receiver unless the owner got proper notice and a chance for a hearing. Before appointment, the judge may allow an applicant limited entry to draft a financial and construction plan to fix the property.

Tax and fine waivers count as subsidies

When a town waives delinquent property taxes or zoning or minimum‑housing fines under these sale rules, the waiver may count as a municipal subsidy. This affects how a deal is recorded and what rules may apply to the project. Buyers and developers should plan for possible subsidy conditions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • June Speakman

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 128 • No: 11

House vote • 6/8/2026

PROPERTY - ABANDONED PROPERTY PASSAGE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT

Yes: 69 • No: 0

House vote • 6/8/2026

PROPERTY - ABANDONED PROPERTY PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 59 • No: 11

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 157

    6/18/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/16/2026Governor

  3. Senate passed Sub A as amended in concurrence

    6/11/2026Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)

    6/10/2026Senate

  5. House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment)

    6/8/2026House

  6. Placed on House Calendar (06/08/2026)

    6/5/2026House

  7. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    6/5/2026

  8. Proposed Substitute

    6/3/2026

  9. Scheduled for reconsideration (06/05/2026)

    6/3/2026

  10. Committee recommends passage of Sub A

    5/5/2026

  11. Proposed Substitute

    5/1/2026

  12. Scheduled for consideration (05/05/2026)

    5/1/2026

  13. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    3/26/2026

  14. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/26/2026)

    3/20/2026

  15. Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

    2/27/2026House

Bill Text

  • H8101 - As Introduced

    2/27/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • H8101 - Substitute

    2/27/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • H8101 - Substitute As Amended

    2/27/2026

    HTMLPDF

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