Bills affecting Homeowner in Rhode Island (2026 session)

Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2028-2029, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.

Amends the current law on education to address unfunded mandates.

Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.

Mandates additional state education funding for the mental and behavioral health of students equal to 2% of the district’s total expenditures, and require those funds be used to hire staff such as school social workers, and behavioral specialists.

Establishes a property tax deferral program for senior citizens, disabled persons or veterans.

RELATING EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

Increases the income range up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and tax credit up to eight hundred fifty dollars ($850), for elderly and disabled persons who own or rent their homes.

Prohibits cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.

Revises the calculation for the student success factor in the education-aid formula by adding an additional multiplier for twenty-five percent (25%) for each resident child who is identified as a multilingual learner.

Amends the school funding formula to ensure that local education authorities do not lose funding due to disruptions in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Provides that a school district could elect and choose to not spend money on any mandate that is not fully funded through the state education aid formula.

Implements statewide parking standards.

Amends the zoning ordinances to allow the town to restrict occupancy to one unrelated person per bedroom in a dwelling, up to a five (5) bedroom unit. Units with more than five (5) bedrooms may be limited to five (5) unrelated persons per unit.

Permits every municipality in the state to offer a homestead tax exemption of up to 20% of assessed value on residential properties, and also provides that municipalities that grant greater exemptions not be limited by this section.

Increases the state’s regionalization bonus to six percent (6.0%) of the state’s fiscal year share of foundation education aid. This bonus would be ongoing and continuing so long as the district remains a regional school district.

Establishes a new categorical funding category for civics education.

Ensures that transportation categorical funds between the state and regional school districts would be fully funded.

Requires all municipal zoning ordinances be amended to provide that any lot with access to public water/sewer services, not establish or enforce a minimum lot area that exceeds 5,000 sq.ft. for a residential building with between one and 4 dwelling units.

Increases the amount of state aid distributed to the towns and cities through appropriation in lieu of property tax provisions applicable to certain private and state properties that are exempt from property tax.

Creates a homeowner casualty bill of rights.