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SB 3363

AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lou DiPalma and 1 co-sponsor

The bill lets municipalities tailor senior property tax relief by authorizing age-based exemptions or credits for residents 65+, with amounts and rules varied by town.

06/26/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 3363

Overview

SB 3363 (Rhode Island, 2026) proposes to modify and expand property tax relief for senior residents by authorizing municipalities to enact targeted exemptions or credits for residents aged 65 and older. The bill lists multiple Rhode Island towns and cities with specific exemption/credit authorities and amounts, and it adds a new provision for Tiverton to create a tax credit for senior homeowners. The act takes effect upon passage.

Main purpose and intent

  • To provide enhanced property tax relief to senior residents (typically 65 and older) by authorizing local governments to adopt age-based exemptions or tax credits.
  • To allow municipal flexibility in designing relief programs tailored to local needs and circumstances, including the size of exemptions/credits and eligibility criteria.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 44-3-13 amended to add or expand local options for numerous municipalities. Highlights include:

    • Bristol: Option to exempt real estate owned and occupied by residents 65+ (with tiers for 65+, 70+, 75+ as of prior December 31). Exemption is in addition to other exemptions; uniform application; one exemption per cotenants/joint tenants/tenants by the entirety; applies to life tenants obligated to pay tax.
    • Central Falls: Ordinance-based exemption for real/personal property for residents 65+, up to $7,500 valuation; in addition to other exemptions.
    • Cranston: (a) Exemption on real property for residents 65+ up to $9,000; (b) Exemption on qualifying excise-tax property for residents 65+ up to $3,000.
    • East Greenwich: Ordinance-based exemptions with graduated limits by age band (65–70 up to $26k, 70–75 up to $34k, 75–80 up to $42k, 80–85 up to $50k, 85+ up to $58k), in addition to other exemptions; single exemption for cotenants/joint tenants/tenants by the entirety; life tenants OK.
    • Lincoln: Exemption on real property owned/occupied by residents 65+ for five years, up to $24,440, in addition to other exemptions.
    • North Providence: Exemption on real property for residents 65+, up to $10,000 of valuation, in addition to other exemptions.
    • Tiverton: Ordinance-based real property exemption for 65+ up to $10,000 of valuation; issued as a tax credit against the annual tax bill (distinct mechanics); single exemption for cotenants/joint tenants/tenants by the entirety; life tenants allowed if they pay tax.
    • Warren: Exemption for real property owned/occupied by 65+ up to $30,656 of valuation; in addition to other exemptions; single exemption for cotenants/joint tenants/tenants by the entirety; life tenants allowed.
    • Warwick: Ordinance-based exemption for owner-occupied residential real or personal property for 65+, up to $12,000 valuation; in addition to other exemptions.
    • Westerly: Ordinance-based exemption for property owned/occupied for five years prior to application; amount and income limits set by council; in addition to other exemptions; single exemption for cotenants/joint tenants/tenants by the entirety; life tenants allowed.
    • Charlestown: Ordinance-based tax dollar credit (instead of exemption) for residents 65+ with income limits as set by council; single credit for cotenants/joint tenants/tenants by the entirety; life tenants allowed.
    • Johnston: New, explicit framework allowing ordinance-based exemption for real property owned/occupied by 65+ residents; introduces a tiered resident property tax credit:
    • $800 credit for FY2025; $900 for FY2026; $1,000 for FY2027 and thereafter.
    • Only one credit allowed for cotenants/joint tenants/tenants by the entirety.
    • Credit is in addition to other exemptions but total credits/exemptions cannot exceed the resident’s total residential property tax bill for the year.

  • Section 2: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who would be affected

  • Senior residents (generally 65+; varying age thresholds by municipality) who own and/or occupy property within participating municipalities.
  • Municipal governments would gain authority to establish age-based exemptions or credits via ordinances.
  • Cotenants, joint tenants, and tenants by the entirety are generally limited to a single exemption/credit per property.
  • In Johnston, eligible residents could receive a credit that supplements other exemptions, with a cap equal to the total tax bill.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill is introduced June 5, 2026, and referred to the Senate Housing & Municipal Government Committee.
  • It would take effect immediately upon passage.
  • Many provisions require local ordinances to implement; the bill provides a framework but relies on each municipality to adopt specific terms.

Notes

  • The bill consolidates and broadens local authority to tailor relief, including allowing tax credits (instead of exemptions) in some towns (e.g., Charlestown, Tiverton’s credit mechanism) and imposing uniformity and lifetime eligibility considerations (life tenants, cotenants).
  • Amounts and eligibility criteria vary by municipality, enabling targeted approaches based on local budgets and housing markets.

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

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