Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8106: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ESTATES IN REAL PROPERTY (Prohibits restrictive covenants related to grocery stores.)
Status: Signed into law, June 18, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2026:
2026 -- H 8106 ======== LC004778 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ESTATES IN REAL PROPERTY Introduced By: Representative Stephen M. Casey Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: House Judiciary (Lieutenant Governor) It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 34-4 of the General Laws entitled "Estates in Real Property" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 34-4-31. Prohibition of restrictive covenants related to grocery stores. (a) A covenant or restriction concerning the use of land designated as a retail establishment where fresh food is regularly and customarily sold in a bona fide manner for off-premises consumption including, but not limited to, grocery stores and supermarkets, shall be void and unenforceable, except under circumstances as set forth in subsection (b) of this section. (b) The prohibition in this section shall not apply to covenants or restrictions on concerning the use of land if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The land subject to restriction has been used by the seller within the six (6) months prior to the date of the agreement for the operation of a retail establishment for the sale of fresh food for off-premises consumption including, but not limited to, a grocery store or supermarket (hereafter known as the …
Sponsors
- Stephen Casey (D, HD-050) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : Senate passed in concurrence
- : Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
- : House read and passed
- : Placed on House Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Committee recommended measure be held for further study
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
Votes
- House Seq #258: PASSAGE (June 4, 2026): 62 yea, 3 nay, passed
- House Committee on Judiciary: Passage (May 26, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: PROPERTY
Common questions
- What is H8106?
- H8106 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ESTATES IN REAL PROPERTY (Prohibits restrictive covenants related to grocery stores.).
- What is the status of H8106?
- Signed into law as of June 18, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8106?
- Stephen Casey (D, HD-050).
- Where is the official record for H8106?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8106.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.