Bill
HB 6136
West Greenwich can grant up to 30-year tax exemptions or stabilization for qualifying comprehensive-permit residential projects to expand affordable housing.
Status & procedural history
- Introduced: Nov. 14, 2024 (original introductory text later replaced by Substitute A).
- Substitute A (LC002545/SUB A) enacted by the Rhode Island General Assembly; House and Senate passage in June 2025; transmitted to governor 06/23/2025. Listed effective date: 07/01/2025 (effective without Governor’s signature per bill status).
- The enacted text adds a new §44-3-9.8.1 to Rhode Island Gen. Laws (Chapter 44-3).
Purpose / intent
- To give the town council of West Greenwich a local tool to encourage construction and preservation of low- and moderate-income residential housing by allowing the town to grant temporary property tax exemptions or to stabilize tax amounts for qualifying residential projects (including projects approved under the state “comprehensive permit” statutes).
Key provisions
- New statutory authority: Town council of West Greenwich may, by vote and subject to the conditions below, authorize either:
- a full or partial property tax exemption, or
- a stabilized tax amount for qualifying property,
notwithstanding property valuation or tax rate changes.
- Eligibility — “Qualified property”:
- Property that is part of an approved comprehensive permit project under chapter 53 of title 45 where final plan approval has been recorded.
- May include one or more contiguous lots and multiple owners.
- Town may approve agreements before final plan recording, but any exemption/stabilization period cannot begin until final plan is recorded.
- Term: Agreements may run for up to 30 years.
- Continuation condition: The exemption/stabilization applies only while the property remains “qualified” as defined; otherwise normal taxation resumes.
- Interaction with existing low-income housing statute (§44-5-13.11): Owners eligible under §44-5-13.11 keep whatever tax treatment that statute provides; any exemption/stabilization granted under the new section must be no less favorable than the treatment under §44-5-13.11.
- Public process: Town council must hold a public hearing with at least ten days’ newspaper notice and find that the exemption/stabilization will benefit West Greenwich (explicitly including furthering the town’s goal of 10% year‑round housing units being low-/moderate-income under chapter 53).
Who is affected
- Primary: Developers and owners of residential projects created under Rhode Island’s comprehensive permit process in West Greenwich; low- and moderate-income housing projects in the town.
- Secondary: Town of West Greenwich (potential impacts on property tax revenue and achievement of affordable housing goals); tenants and community stakeholders.
Potential impacts / considerations
- Incentive: Makes development of affordable housing more financially attractive by reducing or stabilizing property tax burdens for up to 30 years.
- Fiscal: Could reduce town property tax receipts for exempted/stabilized parcels during the agreement period; fiscal impact depends on number/scope of agreements.
- Local control: Gives West Greenwich town council discretion, subject to notice and public hearing requirements, to target incentives toward meeting its affordable housing objectives.
Cross-references
- Chapter 53 of title 45 (comprehensive permits)
- §44-5-13 / §44-5-13.11 (tax treatment for qualifying low-income housing)
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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