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H8558AGovernment Assets

Towns and Cities - General Powers - City of Warwick

This bill allows the city of Warwick to sell a specific piece of public property located on Warwick Lake Avenue.

Introduced67 Yea0 Nay8 Not voting
Population
Affected
15
Email Legislator
Introduced May 15, 2026Committee House Municipal Government & Housing

Plain-English Summary

This bill amends state law regarding the sale of public lands given to cities or towns. Typically, municipalities are not allowed to sell or give away land that was originally gifted to them for public use. This legislation creates a specific exception for the city of Warwick. It allows Warwick to sell or transfer a single piece of property located at 34 Warwick Lake Avenue, noting that previous restrictions on the property's deed have already expired.

For younger readers

Usually, when someone gives land to a city to be used by the public, the city is not allowed to sell it to anyone else. This bill changes the rules for one specific piece of land. It gives the city of Warwick permission to sell a property located at 34 Warwick Lake Avenue.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Warwick residentsReal estate buyersWarwick city officialsProperty developersTaxpayers of Warwick
Impacted communities
Warwick

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely. The state legislature generally has the authority to regulate municipal powers and property, and the bill explicitly notes that previous deed restrictions on the property have already expired under existing law.

Estimated cost
None
Estimated revenue
Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Allowing the city to sell this unused or unrestricted property could generate funds that Warwick can reinvest into essential public services or community welfare programs.
  • Returning this specific parcel to the open market could create opportunities for new housing development, potentially helping to address local housing shortages.
  • By clearing up the legal status of an older property, the local government can better manage its assets to serve the current needs of the community rather than being bound by outdated restrictions.
  • Selling land originally gifted for public use reduces the total amount of public space available to the community, which could limit future parks or community centers.
  • The bill facilitates the privatization of public assets, transferring property into private hands rather than preserving it for the collective benefit of the residents.
  • Creating one-off exceptions for specific towns to sell public land could set a negative precedent, encouraging other cities to sell off their public trust lands for short-term financial gain.
For Conservatives
  • The bill reduces government ownership of land, returning the property to the private sector where it can be developed or utilized by private citizens or businesses.
  • Selling the property will likely place it back on the local tax rolls, generating new property tax revenue for the city without raising taxes on existing residents.
  • It removes burdensome and outdated government restrictions on a specific parcel of land, promoting free-market principles and local economic development.
  • Overriding the original intent of a private citizen's gift to the city undermines the sanctity of private contracts and traditional property rights.
  • Creating special carve-outs in state law for specific municipalities rather than applying a uniform rule of law could be seen as government favoritism.
  • Allowing the government to sell off gifted assets might discourage future private philanthropy or land donations, as donors may fear their conditions will eventually be ignored by lawmakers.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

2 versions
Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 7 additions · 1 deletion

SECTION 1. Section 45-2-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-2 entitled "General Powers" is hereby amended to read as follows: 45-2-6. Lands given for specific use not subject to disposal.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, nothing Nothing in § 45-2-5 shall be construed to authorize the sale, lease, or conveyance of lands or improvements acquired by gift or devise for the public use, whether or not the gift or devise is subject to a condition subsequent or reverter; and no property held by any city or town as part of a charitable trust shall be considered to come within the provisions of § 45-2-5.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the city of Warwick may sell, convey, or grant, for consideration or otherwise, the parcel of real estate located at 34 Warwick Lake Avenue, identified on the Warwick tax assessor's maps as Plat 328, Lot 261, in fee simple absolute or otherwise, pursuant to the procedures set forth in § 45-2-5, all restrictions of record having already expired pursuant to § 34-4-24.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.