AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS -- CITY OF WARWICK

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Bennett and 4 co-sponsors

The bill lets Warwick sell the 34 Warwick Lake Ave parcel in fee simple, bypassing usual restrictions on lands donated for public use.

06/26/2026 Effective without Governor's signature

Summary of HB 8558 (2026) – Rhode Island

Purpose and Intent

The bill amends Rhode Island’s general laws governing the sale, lease, or conveyance of lands that were acquired for public use or held as part of a charitable trust.

Specifically, it grants the City of Warwick authority to sell a particular parcel of real estate (34 Warwick Lake Avenue) to clear title, bypassing certain statutory limits that normally restrict disposal of lands donated or gifted for public use.

Key Provisions

Amendment to General Laws § 45-2-6 (Lands given for specific use not subject to disposal):

Subsection (a) currently prohibits sale, lease, or conveyance of lands or improvements acquired by gift or devise for public use, and excludes property held as part of a charitable trust from being governed by § 45-2-5.
Subsection (b) creates an exception for Warwick: the City of Warwick may sell, convey, or grant the parcel at 34 Warwick Lake Avenue (Plat 328, Lot 261) in fee simple absolute or other form, for consideration or otherwise, under the procedures of § 45-5-5. This sale would occur notwithstanding the usual restrictions, and all restrictions of record on the property would have expired under § 34-4-24.
The parcel would be transferred “in fee simple absolute or otherwise,” meaning Warwick could dispose of the property with full ownership rights, subject to applicable procedures.

Effective Date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who Is Affected

City of Warwick: The primary beneficiary and party authorized to proceed with the sale of the specific property at 34 Warwick Lake Avenue.

Property/Title Stakeholders: The parcel identified as Plat 328, Lot 261 would have its title cleared and could be sold or otherwise disposed of by Warwick under the clarified authority.

Public/Donor-Restrained Lands Framework: The bill modifies how Warwick can dispose of this particular land, potentially affecting how similar lands may be handled in Warwick in the future.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and Referral: Introduced May 15, 2026, and referred to the House Municipal Government & Housing committee.

Effective Date: Immediate upon passage (no separate sunset or delayed effectiveness).

Practical Implications and Considerations

The bill narrows the usual protections that limit disposal of lands donated for public use (by enabling Warwick to bypass certain statutory limitations for the targeted property).

It is narrowly tailored to a single parcel (34 Warwick Lake Avenue) and cites the specific procedural framework (§ 45-5-5) for the sale.

By clearing title and allowing sale in fee simple, Warwick could potentially monetize or redevelop the parcel, subject to any record restrictions that have already expired and any other remaining applicable state or local requirements.

Bottom Line

HB 8558 grants the City of Warwick explicit authority to sell the parcel at 34 Warwick Lake Avenue, notwithstanding typical restrictions on disposing lands gifted or deeded for public use, by permitting a disposal under established procedures and once title restrictions have expired. The act takes effect on passage.