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SB 3047

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DISTRICT COURT PRACTICE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 6 co-sponsors

SB 3047 tightens district court appeals by setting fixed filing windows (2 days civil, 5 days housing/tenant), and requires upfront costs plus a $50 attorney fee for adverse partie

06/26/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
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Bill Summary · SB 3047

Summary of SB 3047 (Session 2026) — Rhode Island

Purpose and intent

  • The bill amends the District Court Practice provisions to modify the costs and timelines related to appealing district court decisions to the Rhode Island Superior Court.
  • Specifically, it adjusts the rules governing the filing and attorney’s fees required to initiate an appeal from district court decisions in civil matters and landlord-tenant actions.
  • Effective date: January 1, 2027.

Key provisions and changes

  • General civil appeals from district court (9-12-10)

    • A party may appeal a district court judgment to the Superior Court for the corresponding county by filing a written claim of appeal with the division clerk within 2 days (excluding weekends and holidays).
    • At the time of filing, the appealing party must pay:
    • All costs, including an attorney’s fee of $50 for the adverse party’s attorney, to be paid by the clerk to the adverse party’s attorney.
    • The $50 attorney’s fee is to be divided equally among the adverse parties’ attorneys if there are multiple adverse parties.
    • Costs shall not be taxed below a minimum of $25, in addition to the standard $75 filing fee (which includes civil case processing and a technology surcharge per § 8-15-11).
    • Local note: The filing fee totals include a $75 base fee plus processing and technology surcharges; the statute sets a floor for costs above the required attorney’s fee.

  • Landlord-tenant appeals (9-12-10.1)

    • In landlord-tenant actions governed by Title 34, Chapter 18, a party may appeal to the Superior Court by filing a written claim of appeal within 5 days (inclusive of weekends and holidays).
    • At filing, the appealing party must pay:
    • All costs, including an attorney’s fee of $50 for the adverse party’s attorney, paid by the clerk to the adverse party’s attorney.
    • Costs shall not be taxed below $25, in addition to the $75 filing fee (which includes civil case processing fee and technology surcharge as above).

Who/what is affected

  • Parties in civil cases in the district court seeking to appeal to the Superior Court.
  • Parties in district court landlord-tenant actions seeking to appeal to the Superior Court.
  • Adverse parties in such appeals, who would benefit from the specified attorney’s fee payments (the $50 fee is paid to their attorney by the clerk).
  • Clerks of the division who administer the filing, collect costs, and disburse attorney’s fees.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Timing to file an appeal
    • Civil actions: appeal must be claimed within 2 days after judgment.
    • Landlord-tenant actions: appeal must be claimed within 5 days after judgment.
  • Cost/fee structure at filing
    • Both tracks require:
    • An attorney’s fee of $50 for the adverse party’s attorney, payable by the clerk to that attorney.
    • A minimum costs amount of $25, in addition to the standard $75 filing fee (which already includes civil case processing and a technology surcharge).
    • The $50 attorney’s fee is divided equally among adverse parties’ attorneys if more than one is involved.
  • Effective date
    • Provisions take effect on January 1, 2027.

Practical impact and considerations

  • The bill clarifies and standardizes the financial requirements for appealing district court decisions, potentially increasing the upfront cost exposure for appellants while ensuring adverse parties receive a specified attorney’s fee.
  • By setting fixed time windows (2 days for general civil appeals; 5 days for landlord-tenant appeals), it streamlines appeal timelines and aligns them with court administration.
  • The addition of the attorney’s fee to be paid to adverse parties’ counsel could influence decision-making at the margin for parties considering an appeal, particularly in cases with multiple adverse parties.
  • The overall impact depends on how often such appeals are pursued and the relative sizes of costs beyond the fixed minimums.

Summary

SB 3047 refines the district court appeal process by adjusting filing timelines and the allocation of costs and attorney’s fees, with a clear framework for civil and landlord-tenant appeals to the Rhode Island Superior Court. It enacts these changes effective January 1, 2027.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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