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SB 3185

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- DAM MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jessica de la Cruz

The bill exempts certain Dam Management District properties around Pascoag and Wilson’s Reservoirs from local property taxes and allows Burrillville to collect DMD fees like taxes.

06/24/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 3185

Summary of SB 3185 (Session 2026) – Rhode Island

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- DAM MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS

Purpose and Intent

  • To authorize specific tax exemptions and funding authorities for Dam Management Districts (DMDs) in parts of Burrillville and Glocester, Rhode Island.
  • Specifically targets property associated with the Pascoag Reservoir (Echo Lake) and Wilson’s Reservoir within Burrillville for tax exemption, and to standardize fee collection for Burrillville’s DMDs in the same manner as municipal property taxes.

Key Provisions

Section 1: Tax Exemption Authorization

  • Allowed municipalities (counties): Towns of Burrillville and Glocester
  • Exemption scope (Glocester): Exempts real and personal property owned by a Dam Management District created under this chapter that consists of:
    • The lake bed of Pascoag Reservoir (Echo Lake)
    • Property on which any dam, spillway, and appurtenant structures related to Pascoag Reservoir are located
  • Exemption scope (Burrillville): Exempts real and personal property owned by a Dam Management District created under this section that consists of:
    • The lakebed and Wilson’s Reservoir (specific Burrillville assessor’s map parcels: Map 138, Lot 041; Map 016, Lot 038; Map 156, Lot 064)
    • Property on which any dam, spillway, and appurtenant structures related to Wilson’s Reservoir are located
  • Tax collection mechanics (Burrillville): For Burrillville, Dam Management District fees may be collected “in the same manner as provided by law for the collection of taxes by municipalities.” The DMD collector would have the same powers and authority as tax collectors in the town.

Note: The text specifies exemptions for the listed properties and coordinate authority for Burrillville to collect DMD fees similarly to tax collection.

Section 2: Effective Date

  • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who Is Affected

  • Property Owners within the specified DMD areas:
    • Burrillville: properties comprising Wilson’s Reservoir and the lakebed, plus associated dams, spillways, and appurtenant structures.
    • Glocester: properties comprising the Pascoag Reservoir (Echo Lake) lakebed and related dam infrastructure.
  • Municipal governments:
    • Burrillville and Glocester would administer the exemptions and, in Burrillville’s case, implement fee collection for DMDs in the same manner as municipal property taxes.

Potential Impacts

  • Taxation/Fees:
    • Reduction or elimination of property tax liability for the exempted DMD properties in the specified areas.
    • In Burrillville, DMD fee collection would be aligned with standard tax collection processes, potentially affecting collection efficiency and administration.
  • Asset Management:
    • Clarifies ownership and management of Dam Management District properties tied to Pascoag and Wilson’s Reservoirs.
  • Revenue Implications:
    • Local government revenue from the exempted parcels would be foregone or shifted toward DMD-specific fee structures—subject to how the DMDs are funded and how fees are assessed.

Timelines and Process

  • Introduction: April 3, 2026
  • Committee: Referred to Senate Housing & Municipal Government
  • Scheduled next steps: Hearing/consideration noted for April 30, 2026
  • Effective date: Upon passage

Additional Considerations

  • The bill text does not specify duration of the exemption or any sunset provisions.
  • It focuses narrowly on two reservoirs and specific parcels within Burrillville, suggesting a targeted approach rather than a broad statewide policy.
  • The interplay with existing DMDs, property tax law, and municipal finance requires attention to potential state- and local-level fiscal impacts once more details are provided in committee analyses.

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

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