RI
Rhode Island Senate Bill S0494

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S0494

Introduced
2/26/25  

Caption

Allows unpaid fines for violations of municipal ordinances to be recorded as alien in the land records, where the violating real property is located. The lien would be added to amount of real estate taxes owed on the property at issue.

Impact

The proposed changes are significant as they would empower local governments to enforce compliance more effectively. If passed, municipalities could potentially see an increase in revenue from ordinance enforcement as outstanding fines would be more closely tied to property taxes, making it less likely for violators to ignore fines. This move is expected to impact property owners directly, as their tax bills may reflect unpaid fines alongside their tax obligations, leading to more prompt payments to avoid incurring additional interest or tax-related penalties.

Summary

Bill S0494 seeks to modify the way municipalities in Rhode Island can enforce penalties for violations of local ordinances. Specifically, the legislation proposes that any unpaid fines for such violations can be recorded as a lien against the real property owned by the violator. By bringing this mechanism into effect, the bill aims to provide municipalities with a stronger recourse for recovering owed fines. The lien would then be added to the owner's real estate tax obligations, thus integrating ordinance fines with property taxes, which could incentivize timely payment of such fines.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, S0494 may provoke discussions among stakeholders regarding the balance of penalizing noncompliance while ensuring fairness in enforcement. Critics of the bill may argue that adding fines to property taxes could disproportionately affect lower-income property owners or those facing financial difficulties. There is a concern that such a measure could lead to increased property tax burdens just for failing to pay a fine, raising questions about equitable treatment in municipal governance and whether alternatives should be explored instead.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S2883

Allows municipalities to seek recovery of fines associated with ordinance violations by permitting the municipality to include the fines on a property tax bill.

RI H7322

Allows municipalities to seek recovery of fines associated with ordinance violations by permitting the municipality to include the fines on a property tax bill.

RI H7657

Permits Smithfield to enact ordinances that would allow the animal control officer to issue citations which could be paid my mail and to prescribe penalties for violations of the town's ordinances regulating dogs.

RI S2539

Permits Smithfield to enact ordinances that would allow the animal control officer to issue citations which could be paid my mail and to prescribe penalties for violations of the town's ordinances regulating dogs.

RI S2567

Requires an appropriation of an additional five percent (5%) of the assessed value of all low-income housing as part of the payment in lieu of taxes program to the municipality where the property is located beginning in fiscal year 2026.

RI S2881

Increases the fines for dog ordinance violations in the town of Cumberland.

RI H7245

Increases the fines for dog ordinance violations in the town of Cumberland.

RI S2338

Secures general assembly appropriations in lieu of property taxes for state-owned properties within the town of Exeter.

RI H8208

Allows town and city councils to impose penalties for the violation of ordinances and regulations not exceeding the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000).

RI S2048

Includes municipal detention facility corporations as exempt from taxation, and requires that an amount equal to twenty-seven percent (27%) of all tax that would have been collected if the property was taxable be paid to the municipality annually.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.