Rhode Island House Bill H5698

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/25
• Refer: 2/26/25
• Report Pass: 6/10/25
• Engrossed: 6/16/25
• Enrolled: 6/18/25
• Passed: 6/24/25

Caption

Establishes the assessed value of owner-occupied low- and moderate-income housing as the most recent sales price of the property.

Impact

The implementation of HB 5698 is expected to have a significant impact on state laws governing property taxation. By stipulating that the assessment basis must be the most recent sales price, the bill could potentially alter the revenue streams for municipalities. These changes could benefit homeowners by potentially lowering property taxes for some, aligning it more closely to actual sale prices, while also raising concerns for local governments regarding future tax revenues and their ability to provide services.

Summary

House Bill 5698 aims to reform the assessment procedures for owner-occupied low- and moderate-income housing in Rhode Island. Specifically, the bill establishes that the assessed value of such properties will be based on the most recent sales price rather than the previous methods of valuation. This change is designed to ensure that the property taxes levied on these homes are reflective of their current market value, which may support equitable taxation for lower-income homeowners and facilitate budget planning for local governments.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked discussion around its implications for local governance and financial planning. Some stakeholders advocate that this adjustment could alleviate the financial pressure on lower-income families by ensuring taxes are not based on outdated assessments that may not reflect current economic realities. Conversely, others express concern that this could lead to reduced funding for local services if tax revenues decline as a result of modified assessments. There are fears that while the intent may be to prioritize affordability, the long-term effects on municipal budgets and service provision could be detrimental.