S3188 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE LANDS-LIABILITY LIMITATIONS (Changes the definition of owner to exclude the state and municipalities for the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.)

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Famiglietti, LaMountain, Dimitri, Bissaillon, Patalano, McKenney
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE LANDS-LIABILITY LIMITATIONS (Changes the definition of owner to exclude the state and municipalities for the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.)

What This Bill Does

AN ACT RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE LANDS-LIABILITY LIMITATIONS (Changes the definition of owner to exclude the state and municipalities for the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.)

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-04-16 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-04-10 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/16/2026)
2026-04-03 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE LANDS-LIABILITY LIMITATIONS (Changes the definition of owner to exclude the state and municipalities for the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S3188

2026 -- S 3188
========
LC005219
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE
LANDS-LIABILITY LIMITATIONS

Introduced By:
Senators Famiglietti, LaMountain, Dimitri, Bissaillon, Patalano, and
McKenney

Date Introduced:
April 03, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Section 32-6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-6 entitled "Public Use of
2
Private Lands — Liability Limitations" is hereby amended to read as follows:
3

32-6-2. Definitions.
4
As used in this chapter:
5
(1) “Charge” means the admission price or fee asked in return for invitation or permission
6
to enter or go upon the land;
7
(2) “Land” means land, roads, water, watercourses, private ways and buildings, structures,
8
and machinery or equipment when attached to the realty;
9
(3) “Owner” means the private-owner possessor of a fee interest, or tenant, lessee,
10
occupant, or person in control of the premises
, including the state and municipalities
;
11
(4) “Recreational purposes” includes, but is not limited to, any of the following, or any
12
combination thereof: hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, hiking, horseback
13
riding, bicycling, pleasure driving, nature study, water skiing, water sports, viewing or enjoying
14
historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites, and all other recreational purposes
15
contemplated by this chapter; and
16
(5) “User” means any person using land for recreational purposes.

1
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC005219
========

LC005219 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- PUBLIC USE OF PRIVATE
LANDS-LIABILITY LIMITATIONS
***
1
This act would change the definition of owner to exclude the state and municipalities for
2
the purposes of liability limitations relating to public use of private lands.
3
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC005219
========

LC005219 - Page 3 of 3