AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- BY POSSESSION AND PRESCRIPTION (Repeals the provisions of § 34-7-4 regarding rights of footway being acquired by adverse possession.)

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Cortvriend, McNamara, Kazarian
Last action: 2026-03-26
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

2026-03-26 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-03-20 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/26/2026)
2026-02-27 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- BY POSSESSION AND PRESCRIPTION (Repeals the provisions of § 34-7-4 regarding rights of footway being acquired by adverse possession.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H8107

2026 -- H 8107
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LC004284
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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 PROPERTY -- BY POSSESSION AND PRESCRIPTION

Introduced By:
Representatives Cortvriend, McNamara, and Kazarian

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 34-7-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-7 entitled "By Possession
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and Prescription" is hereby repealed.
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34-7-4. Right of footway denied.
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No right of footway, except claimed in connection with a right to pass with carriages, shall
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be acquired by prescription or adverse use for any length of time.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004284
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- BY POSSESSION AND PRESCRIPTION
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This act would repeal the provisions of § 34-7-4 which provides that no right of footway,
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except claimed in connection with a right to pass with carriages, could be acquired by prescription
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or adverse use for any length of time. This act would effectively eliminate the statutory prohibition
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against acquiring a right of footway by adverse possession.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004284
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