2022 Legislative Tracker
Click here for our legislative summary.
Below is a tracker for the bills the Housing Network of Rhode Island supported for 2022. Click here for other housing-related bills we are tracking.
Click here for other housing-related bills we are tracking.
Information as current as 08/12/2022.
| Bill # & Title | Summary | Sponsors | Last Action | Comp. Bill. | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB7123-Aa – An Act Making Appropriations For The Support Of The State For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023 | Section 1, Article 16 – Housing initiatives: Governor’s proposal for $250M investments | Rep. Marvin Abney (D) | 06/24/2022 Transmitted to Governor | N/A | Click here for testimony. |
| HR7576 – House Resolution Extending The Reporting And Expiration Dates Of The Special Legislative Commission To Study The Entire Area Of Land Use, Preservation, Development, Housing, Environment |
Extends the reporting and expiration dates of the commission to study the entire area of land use, preservation, development, housing, environment, and regulation, from April 30, 2022, to June 8, 2023, and would expire on June 30, 2023. | Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) | Cosponsors: Rep. June Speakman (D); Rep. John G. Edwards (D) | 03/24/2022 – House read and passed | N/A | |
| HB7892 – An Act Relating To Property — Residential Landlord And Tenant Act | Provides for the sealing and unsealing of court files in residential eviction proceedings and provides that any eviction for nonpayment of rent, in which the rent arrearage is paid through a rent relief program, shall remain sealed permanently. | Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D) | Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) et al | 04/27/2022 Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A | Click here for testimony. |
| HB7940-Aaa – An Act Relating To State Affairs And Government – Executive Office Of Commerce | Provides that the deputy secretary of commerce and housing become the secretary of housing and retains all the powers and duties of the deputy secretary of commerce and housing. | Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) | Rep. June Speakman (D) et al | 06/24/2022 Transmitted to Governor | SB3058 – Sen. Meghan Kallman (D) -06/28/2022 – Transmitted to Governor | Click here for testimony. |
| HB7941-A – An Act Relating to Towns and Cities — Low and Moderate Income Housing | Permits multi-family rental apartment units to be built as part of a comprehensive plan and to be included in the calculation of low or moderate income housing. | Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) | 06/24/2022 Transmitted to Governor | SB3044 – Sen. Frank Lombardo (D) – 06/28/2022 Transmitted to Governor | Click here for testimony. |
| HB7943-A – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Low And Moderate Income Housing | Provides for the establishment of the repurposing of vacant and unused school and other municipal buildings for affordable housing program, within the Rhode Island housing corporation. |
Rep. Jacquelyn Baginski (D) | Cosponsor: Rep. Brandon Potter (D) |
06/24/2022 Senate passed Sub A in concurrence 06/24/2022 Transmitted to Governor |
SB3048 – Sen. Quezada (D) | Click here for testimony. |
| HB7945-A – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities – Low And Moderate Income Housing | Amends the composition of the state housing appeals board by adding one member from the Center for Justice and one member Direct Action for Rights and Equality, as well as two (2) alternates selected by the governor. | Rep. June Speakman (D) | Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) et al | 06/24/2022 Transmitted to Governor | SB3045 – Sen. Meghan Kallman- 06/28/2022 Transmitted to Governor | Click here for testimony. |
| HB7946-A – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Low And Moderate Income Housing | Directs the RI housing corporation to maintain accurate records and prepare semi-annual status reports (“reports”) to the general assembly, the housing resources commission, and the secretary of commerce for housing, on Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. | Rep. Thomas Noret (D) | Rep. Arthur Corvese at al | 06/24/2022 Transmitted to Governor | SB3049 – Sen. Ana Quezada (D) – 06/28/2022 Transmitted to Governor | Click here for testimony. |
| HB7948-A – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Low And Moderate Income Housing | Allows mobile and manufactured homes to be included and counted as low and moderate income housing units pursuant to the definitions and limitations set forth in § 45-53-3. | Rep. Brandon Potter (D) | 06/15/2022 Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A | Click here for testimony pre sub-A. |
| HB7949-Aaa – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Low And Moderate Income Housing | Revises the comprehensive permitting process and the appeals process in regard to low and moderate income housing. It also adds two (2) additional alternates to the state housing appeals board. | Rep. June Speakman (D) | Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) et al | 06/24/2022 Transmitted to Governor | SB3046-A – Sen. Kallman (D) – 06/28/2022 Transmitted to Governor | Click here for testimony. |
| HB7950-A – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Low And Moderate Income Housing | Provides that the Rhode Island housing resources commission would promulgate regulations for the selection and appointment of approved monitoring agents to oversee affordable housing units. | Rep. June Speakman (D) | Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi (D) et al | 06/24/2022 Transmitted to Governor | SB3050 – Sen. Frank Lombardo, III (D) – 06/28/2022 Transmitted to Governor | |
| SB2007-A – An Act Relating To Elections — Secretary Of State — Let RI Vote Act | Allows voting by mail without needing an excuse/improves voter roll cleanup/allows applying for mail ballots through online system/allows nursing home residents to receive mail ballot applications automatically/codifies mail ballot drop box requirements. |
Sen. Dawn Euer (D) | Cosponsors: Sen. Cynthia Armour Coyne (D); Sen. Ana Quezada (D); Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D); Sen. Maryellen E. Goodwin (D); Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D); Sen. Joshua Miller (D); Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D); Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D); Sen. Hanna M. Gallo (D) |
06/07/2022 – Signed by Governor | HB7100 – Rep. Kazarian (D) – 06/07/2022 – Signed by Governor | Click here for testimony. |
| SB2008 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Zoning Ordinances | Increases the per-unit fee for affordable single family homes to seventy five thousand dollars ($75,000) and allow municipalities to transfer in-lieu payments upon receipt or within ten (10) years | Sponsor: Sen. Meghan Kallman (D) | Cosponsors: Sen. Dawn Euer (D); Sen. Bridget Valverde (D); Sen. Valerie Lawson (D); Sen. Alana DiMario (D); Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D) | 05/10/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A | Click here for testimony. |
| SJR2216 – Joint Resolution To Approve And Publish And Submit To The Electors A Proposition Of Amendment To The Constitution – Persons Entitled To Vote | This joint resolution would authorize the submission to the electors of a constitutional amendment that would allow eligible citizens to register to vote removing the requirement that the registration be completed thirty (30) days before an election. | Sen. Alana DiMario (D) | Sen. Dawn Euer (D); Sen. Valerie Lawson (D); Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D); Sen. Melissa Murray (D); Sen. John Burke (D); Sen. Cynthia Armour Coyne (D); Sen. Meghan Kallman (D); Sen. Sandra Cano (D); Sen. Bridget Valverde (D) |
02/15/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | HJR7225 – Rep. Biah (D) – 03/24/2022 Committee recommended measure be held for further study | Click here for testimony. |
| SB2375 – An Act Relating To Property — Residential Landlord And Tenant Act | Provides for the sealing and unsealing of court files in residential eviction proceedings. | Sen. Tiara Mack (D) | Sen. Kendra Anderson (D); Sen. Cynthia Mendes (D); Sen. Jeanine Calkin (D); Sen. Bridget Valverde (D); Sen. Meghan Kallman (D); Sen. Jonathan Acosta (D); Sen. James Seveney (D); Sen. Melissa Murray (D); Sen. Ana Quezada (D) |
05/10/2022 Committee recommended measure be held for further study |
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| SB2623-A – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Zoning Ordinances — Accessory Apartments Value 19 | Eliminates the restrictions on accessory dwelling units and allows for accessory apartments and affordable accessory apartments as a matter of right | Sponsor: Sen. Meghan Kallman (D) | Cosponsors: Sen. Frank Lombardo, III (D); Sen. Ana Quezada (D); Sen. Tiara Mack (D); Sen. John Burke (D) | 06/22/2022 Committee recommends passage of Sub A | HB7942 – Rep. Ackerman (D) – 06/15/2022 Committee recommended measure be held for further study | Click here for testimony. |
| SB2636 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Zoning Ordinances Value 20 | Requires towns and cities to allow tiny homes to be used as an accessory dwelling and excludes tiny homes from affordable housing. | Sen. Meghan Kallman (D) | Cosponsors: Sen. Tiara Mack (D); Sen. Jonathan Acosta (D); Sen. John Burke (D); Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio (D); Sen. Bridget Valverde (D) | 03/10/2022 – Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary | N/A | |
| SB2649 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Local Planning Board or Commission | Requires initial, biennial, and continuing education in land use law and planning for local planning and zoning board members and members of historic district commissions. |
Sen. Bridget Valverde (D) | Cosponsors: Sen. Alana DiMario (D); Sen. James Seveney (D); Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D); Sen. Valerie Lawson (D); Sen. Dawn Euer (D) |
06/15/2022 – Placed on House Calendar (06/17/2022) | HB7023-A – Rep. Carson (D) – 06/15/2022 Placed on House Calendar (06/17/2022) | |
| HB7893 – An Act Relating To Property – Residential Landlord And Tenant Act | Requires landlords to complete the landlord portion of an application for federal emergency rental assistance before starting an action for eviction against a residential tenant for nonpayment of rent. | Sponsor: Rep. Leonela Felix (D) | Cosponsors: Representatives Morales (D), Barros (D), Kislak (D), Alzate (D), Giraldo (D), Diaz (D), Cassar (D), Kazarian (D), and Ruggiero (D) |
03/17/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | SB2214 – Sen. Dawn Euer (D) – 02/08/2022 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary | Click here for testimony. |
| H7579 – An Act Relating To Taxation — Property Subject To Taxation | Requires cities and towns to implement affordable housing requirements upon all developers of tax stabilization applications for developments of more than five (5) housing units based upon median income as defined by HUD. | Sponsor: : Rep. Karen Alzate (D) | Cosponsors: Representatives Giraldo (D), Morales (D), Batista (D), Henries (D), Potter (D), Cassar (D), and Kazarian (D) |
03/31/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | SB2013 – Sen. Meghan Kallman (D) – 04/07/2022 Committee recommended measure be held for further study | Click here for testimony. |
| SB2622 – An Act Relating To Property — Community Opportunity To Purchase Act | Grants a right-of-first-refusal to qualified nonprofits for the purchase of certain multifamily properties. | Sponsor: Sen. Meghan Kallman (D) | Cosponsors: Ruggerio (D), Lawson (D), Sosnowski (D), Acosta (D), Goodwin (D), McCaffrey (D), Anderson (D), and Calkin (D) |
04/05/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A | Click here for testimony. |
| SB2765-Aaa – An Act Relating To Health And Safety — Lead Poisoning Prevention Act | Establishes a lead water supply replacement program for public and private service lines and requires disclosure to tenants and buyers of real property of the presence of lead service lines. | Sponsor: Senator McCaffrey (D) | Cosponsors: Senators Ruggerio (D), Goodwin (D), Gallo (D), Miller (D), and Euer (D) | 06/14/2022 Senate passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment) | HB8153 – Rep. David Morales (D) – 05/05/2022 Committee recommended measure be held for further study | Click here for testimony. |
| SB2641 – An Act Relating To Property — Fair Chance In Housing Act | Limits the use of certain criminal records and credit history reports in denying housing to prospective applicants, provides fines for failure to comply and requires notice of denials be sent to the prospective tenants. | Sponsor: Senator Kallman (D) | Cosponsors: Sens Quezada (D), Euer (D), Archambault (D), Cano (D), Acosta (D), Miller (D), Burke (D), and Bell (D) |
05/10/2022 Committee recommended measure be held for further study | HB8221 – Rep. June Speakman (D) – 05/06/2022 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing | Click here for testimony. |
| SB2264 – An Act Relating To Taxation — Personal Income Tax | Adds one new income tax bracket for purposes of state income taxation. | Sponsor: Senator Murray (D) | Cosponsors: Sens McCaffrey (D), Ciccone, Pearson (D), Goodwin (D), Cano (D), Seveney (D), Acosta (D), Sosnowski (D), and Miller (D) |
05/10/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | HB7440 – Rep. Karen Alzate (D) – 05/17/2022 Committee recommended measure be held for further study | Click here for testimony. |
Below is a tracker for other housing-related bills we are following for 2022.
Information as current as 08/12/2022.
| Bill # & Title | Summary | Sponsors | Last Action | Comp. Bill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB2088 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Zoning Ordinances | Provides a procedure for homeowners to submit to a municipal zoning board of review or municipal official or agency for a review to determine whether or not a proposed use under this chapter requires a special use permit. | Sen. James Seveney (D) | Cosponsors: Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D); Sen. Cynthia Armour Coyne (D) | 06/09/2022 – Transmitted to Governor | HB7201 – Rep. Cortvriend (D) – 06/09/2022 Transmitted to Governor |
| SB2340 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Prohibition Of Single-Family Zoning In Urban Growth Boundaries Act Of 2022 | Prohibits single-family residential zoning in municipalities with populations of over twenty-thousand (20,000) and mandate that those municipalities adopt zoning regulations for middle housing in single-family residential zones. | Sen. Tiara Mack (D) | Cosponsors: Sen. Frank Lombardo, III (D); Sen. Cynthia Mendes (D); Sen. Kendra Anderson (D); Sen. Sam Bell (D); Sen. Meghan Kallman (D); Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D); Sen. Joshua Miller (D); Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D) | 05/31/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A |
| SB2504 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Subdivision Of Land | Requires four (4) members present to conduct hearing and concurring vote of majority in attendance at planning/zoning board meetings. | Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey (D) | 06/27/2022 – Signed by Governor | N/A |
| SB2554 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Zoning Ordinances — Promotion Of Neighborhood Character And Smart Growth | Amends several sections of the Rhode Island Zoning Enabling Act of 1991 with the intent of preserving neighborhood character and promoting smart growth. | Sen. Sam Bell (D) | Cosponsors: Sen. Dawn Euer (D); Sen. Tiara Mack (D); Sen. Cynthia Mendes (D); Sen. Ana Quezada (D); | 03/01/2022 – Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government | N/A |
| SB2644 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Zoning Ordinances | Amends current law so that the choice to pay a fee in lieu of construction or provision of affordable housing, would no longer be left to the discretion of the developer but would be determined by the city or town where the development is located. | Sen. Valerie Lawson (D) | Cosponsor: Sen. Cynthia Armour Coyne (D) | 04/05/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A |
| HB6638 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Zoning Ordinances | Same as 21H-6093 –Prohibits single-family residential zoning in municipalities with populations of over twenty-thousand (20,000) and mandate that those municipalities adopt zoning regulations for middle housing in single-family residential zones. | Rep. Brianna Henries (D) | Cosponsors: Rep. David Morales (D); Rep. Karen Alzate (D) | 03/22/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A |
| HR7320 – Aa – House Resolution Creating A Special Legislative Commission To Study And Review The Cost And Status Of The State Of Rhode Island Owned, Vacant, And Abandoned Properties And Provide Recommendations | Creates a 13 member commission to study and provide recommendations to mitigate the associated costs for the State’s vacant and abandoned properties, and would report back by February 10, 2023, and expire on March 21, 2023. | Rep. Thomas Noret (D) | Cosponsors: Rep. Julie Casimiro (D); Rep. Arthur J. Corvese (D); Rep. Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. (D); Rep. David Bennett (D); Rep. Jose Batista (D); Rep. Robert Craven, Sr. (D); Rep. Evan Shanley (D); Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson (D); Rep. Katherine S Kazarian (D) | 05/12/2022 – House passed Sub A as amended (floor amendment) | N/A |
| HB7577 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — Subdivision Of Land | Amends the definition of minor land development and minor subdivision and changes the time limits for other land developments and major subdivision certificates. | Rep. Kathleen Fogarty (D) | Cosponsors: Rep. Arthur Handy (D); Rep. Lauren Carson (D); Rep. Susan Donovan (D); Rep. Gregg Amore (D); Rep. Robert Craven, Sr. (D); Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D) | 03/22/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A |
| HB7623 – An Act Relating To Public Property And Works — Management And Disposal Of Property | Promotes the use of state surplus property by permitting the department of administration to obtain an appraisal and sell property to be used for housing development purposes where appropriate. |
Rep. Nathan Biah (D) | Cosponsors: Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D); Rep. Gregg Amore (D); Rep. Arthur J. Corvese (D); Rep. Raymond Hull (D); Rep. Rebecca Kislak (D); Rep. Karen Alzate (D); Rep. Joshua J. Giraldo (D); Rep. Brianna Henries (D) |
05/26/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A |
| HB8065 – An Act Relating To Towns And Cities — General Powers | Permits the town of Charlestown to impose permit requirements and to promulgate regulations on excavation activity within the town. | Rep. Blake A. Filippi (R) | 04/12/2022 – Committee recommended measure be held for further study | N/A |
