Read the full stored bill text
H7847
2026 -- H 7847
========
LC005791
========
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --
UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES
Introduced By:
Representatives Shallcross Smith, Casey, Cruz, Casimiro, and Fellela
Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026
Referred To:
House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Chapter 6-13 of the General Laws entitled "Unfair Sales Practices" is hereby
2
amended by adding thereto the following section:
3
6-13-12.2. Airline tickets -- Flight vouchers.
4
(a) "Airline ticket" or "flight voucher" means a record evidencing a promise, made for
5
monetary or other consideration, by the seller or issuer of record that air travel services will be
6
provided to the owner of record for the value shown in the record and includes, but is not limited
7
to:
8
(1) A record that contains a microprocessor chip, magnetic strip, or other means of storage
9
of information that is pre-funded and for which the value is decremented upon each use;
10
(2) An airline ticket;
11
(3) A flight voucher; or
12
(4) A similar record or card.
13
(b) Any airline company, or corporation (airline) or travel agency that sells airline tickets
14
or vouchers shall be required to record the sales and keep an accurate and complete record of each
15
airline ticket or flight voucher issued. The record shall include the date of issue; the full value of
16
the airline ticket or flight voucher; and the identification number assigned by the airline to the
17
airline ticket or flight voucher.
18
(c) It shall be unlawful for any airline or travel agency of any kind to charge any surcharge
1
or additional service or maintenance fee on airline tickets or flight vouchers or to limit the time for
2
the redemption of airline tickets or flight vouchers or to place an expiration date upon airline tickets
3
or flight vouchers. No airline ticket, flight voucher or any agreement shall contain language
4
suggesting that an expiration date may apply to the airline ticket or flight voucher. Any airline or
5
travel agency that shall violate the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more
6
than two hundred dollars ($200).
7
(d) This section shall not apply to airline tickets or flight vouchers that are distributed to a
8
traveler pursuant to an awards, loyalty, or promotional program without any money or other thing
9
of value being given in exchange for the airline ticket or flight voucher. Any restrictions or
10
limitations that such airline ticket or flight voucher may be subject to shall be disclosed to the
11
traveler, in writing, at the time the airline ticket or flight voucher are issued to the traveler.
12
(e) This section shall not prohibit airlines and travel agencies from refunding any unused
13
portion of an airline ticket or flight voucher that is issued.
14
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC005791
========
LC005791 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --
UNFAIR SALES PRACTICES
***
1
This act would prohibit expiration dates for airline tickets and flight vouchers. The act
2
would also require every airline or travel agency to record the sales and keep an accurate and
3
complete record of each airline ticket or flight voucher issued. The act would also make it unlawful
4
to charge any surcharge or additional service or maintenance fee on any airline ticket or flight
5
voucher. The act would allow an exception where airline tickets or flight vouchers are distributed
6
to a traveler pursuant to an awards, loyalty, or promotional program without any money or other
7
value being given. Airlines and travel agencies would be able to refund any unused portion of an
8
airline ticket or flight voucher that is issued.
9
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC005791
========
LC005791 - Page 3 of 3