Rhode Island Legislative Action Committee (RI LAC) legislative session report
Community Associations Institute (CAI) Rhode Island Legislative Action Committee (RI LAC) spent the 2026 legislative session advocating on behalf of the approximately 92,000 Rhode Islanders living in 37,000 homes in nearly 2,000 community associations across the state.
Legislative Overview
Rhode Island’s legislative session was convened on January 6 and adjourned on June 11, 2026. The legislature has the authority to set its own dates to convene and adjourn, and this session legislators chose to adjourn earlier than originally indicated (mid to late June) to allow time for campaigning for the upcoming election.
2026 Key Bills of Interest to Community Associations in Rhode Island
RI LAC tracked 33 bills this session, directly advocating on those with potential implications on the community association industry. Below is a brief overview of highlights from the 2026 Rhode Island Legislative Session:
CAI SUPPORTED THE BELOW BILLS
CAI LACs support legislation that aligns with CAI’s public policy positions, or which otherwise work to the benefit of the community association industry in a state.
HB 7852/SB 2896 Insurance
The LAC drafted the language in HB 7852 / SB 2896, which reforms Rhode Island’s insurance rules to account for a new bare walls option, preserving the availability and affordability of insurance for condominiums in the state. The Bill also provided clarity on the allocation of deductibles and unpaid losses. Rhode Island continues to see increased insurance premiums, and expanding insurance options is a viable long-term solution for homeowners.
The bill passed the Senate via a substitute amended bill. The House Committee on Corporations did not schedule a vote on the bill prior to the adjournment of session.
Status: DIED in House.
HB 7851/SB 2692 Reserve Studies
The LAC drafted the original language that led to the introduction of HB 7851 / SB 2692 and worked closely with legislators on reasonable amendments. This bill lays out a workable framework for mandated reserve and condition studies for Rhode Island’s condominium communities. This legislation is necessary to protect condominiums and homeowners in the state from underfunded reserves and structural deficiencies that could result in safety hazards. This legislation is also based on recognized best practices and national standards, tailored specifically for Rhode Island communities.
The bill passed the Senate, via a substitute amended bill. The House Committee on Corporations did not schedule a vote on the bill prior to the adjournment of session. Status:
Status: DIED in House.
HB 7854/SB 2899 Meeting Notice/Audit
The LAC worked closely with legislators on drafting HB 7854 (and SB 2899 was introduced as a companion subsequently), which provides needed clarifications to existing meeting notice and audit rules. The bill specifies when financial reviews are needed, and what constitutes a record that can be requested.
The bill passed the Senate via a substitute amended bill, but House Committee did not schedule a vote on the bill prior to the adjournment of session.
Status: DIED in House
CAI OPPOSED THE BELOW BILLS
CAI LACs oppose legislation that is contradictory with CAI’s public policy positions.
HB 8273/SB 3094 HOA Bill
SB 3094 establishes a framework for HOA regulation in Rhode Island that is inconsistent with CAI’s Support for the Uniform Acts Public Policy. This bill overrules association bylaws and specifies when governing documents may be amended and sets new rules regarding meeting procedures and reserve fund allocation procedures. The bill also restricts when special assessments may be imposed, how disputes may be resolved and how proxy voting and the removal of officers may occur.
RI LAC agrees that legislation is needed to provide a framework for HOA governance, however SB 3094 is not the correct bill for the task. CAI advocates for states to adopt the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, versions of which have been adopted in nearby Connecticut and Vermont. Contrary to the uniform act, this bill introduces rigid language addressing only some of the issues faced by HOAs.
Status: Successfully DIED in Committee.
HB 7874 Manager Regulations
This bill imposes unnecessary, redundant, costly, burdensome and duplicative requirements on management companies inconsistent with CAI’s Manager Licensing Public Policy. Specifically, this bill proposes the following concepts:
• Concepts that are already addressed in state statute.
Institutes a duplicative requirement for the maintenance and inspection of records. § 34-36.1-3.18 already states that “The association shall keep financial records sufficiently detailed to enable the association to comply with § 34 36.1-4.09. All financial and other records shall be made reasonably available for examination within thirty (30) days of a request by any unit owner and his or her authorized agent.”
• Unnecessary and Costly Administrative Requirements of Volunteer Board Members. Mandates registration of sensitive board member information with the state by an association manager, with severe penalties for noncompliance. Additionally, the administrative burden placed on managers to comply with registration requirements will necessitate additional fair costs for time and labor, potentially forcing special assessments in the short-term as boards which did not budget for these new costs must find ways to cover the funding gap until the next budget cycle.
• Redundant Statutory Concepts.
By putting into law that managers are prohibited from misusing association funds, failing to account for unit owner monies, and from being hired with a conviction for financial crimes in Rhode Island or another state, this bill seeks to criminalize conduct that is already illegal. Boards do not need statutes reminding them of appropriate hiring practices, and to not hire managers that have acted against the law or who have been found not to have acted in good faith previously.
Status: Successfully DIED in Committee.
For more information about CAI Advocacy, visit www.caionline.org
CAI-New England Calendar
August 6-7 – M-203 Community Leadership
August 13-14 – M-100 The Essentials of Community Association Management
August 18 – Lunch & Learn
August 18 – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Cultivating DEI in Community Associations
August 20-21 – M-201 Facilities Management
August 27-28 – M-202 Association Communications
The above calendar is subject to change; contact the chapter office or www.caine.org to confirm programs, dates, times, and location.