AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES (Allows the town of Tiverton to apply different tax rates to all classes of property.)

H7298

2026 -- H 7298
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LC004125
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Introduced By:
Representative John G. Edwards

Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026

Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 44-5 of the General Laws entitled "Levy and Assessment of Local
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Taxes" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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44-5-11.19. Tax classification - Tiverton.

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(a) The assessor of the town of Tiverton shall annually prepare a list containing the full and
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fair valuation of each property within the town and the percentage of the tax levy to be apportioned
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to each class of property and tax rates sufficient to produce the proportion of the total tax levy.
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(b) The assessor has the authority to apply different rates of taxation against all classes of
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property to determine the tax due and payable on the property; provided that, the rate of taxation is
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uniform within each class.
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(c) Classes of property.
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(1) Class 1: Residential real estate consisting of not more than five (5) dwelling units; land
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classified as open space; and dwellings on leased land.
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(i) A homestead exemption provision is also authorized within this class.
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(ii) In lieu of a homestead exemption, the town of Tiverton may divide this class into non-
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owner and owner-occupied property and adopt separate tax rates in compliance with the within tax
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rate restrictions.
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(2) Class 2: Commercial and industrial real estate; residential properties containing partial
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commercial or business uses; and residential real estate of more than five (5) dwelling units.
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(3) Class 3: All ratable, tangible personal property.

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(4) Class 4: Motor vehicles and trailers subject to the excise tax created by chapter 34 of
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this title (repealed).
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(5) Class 5: Mobile homes on leased land, which shall be subject to tax at the applicable
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state rate.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004125
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES
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This act would allow the town of Tiverton to apply different tax rates to all classes of
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property.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004125
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