2017 -- S 0096

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LC001046

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND

SALESPERSONS

     Introduced By: Senator Roger Picard

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-20.5-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-20.5 entitled "Real

Estate Brokers and Salespersons" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-20.5-1. Definitions.

     When used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:

     (1) "Associate broker" means any licensed real estate broker who is employed or engaged

as an independent contractor by or in behalf of a licensed real estate broker to do or deal in any

activity as included or comprehended by the definitions of a real estate broker in subdivision (4)

of this section, for compensation or otherwise;

     (2) "Director" means the director of business regulation for the state;

     (3) "Opinion of value" means an analysis, opinion, or conclusion prepared by a person

licensed under this chapter in the ordinary course of their business relating to the price of

specified interests in or aspects of identified real estate or identified real property or by

comparison to other real property currently or recently sold in the marketplace for the purpose of

listing, purchase, or sale, excluding an appraisal prepared by a person licensed under the

provisions of chapter 20.7 of title 5, that conforms to the standards adopted by the Uniform

Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice ("USPAP").

     (3)(4) "Real estate", as used in this chapter, includes leaseholds as well as any and every

interest or estate in land, whether corporeal or incorporeal, freehold or non-freehold, and whether

the property is situated in this state or elsewhere;

     (4)(5) "Real estate broker":

     (i) Within the meaning of this chapter, includes all persons, partnerships, associations,

and corporations, foreign and domestic, who:

     (A) For a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, or who with the intention or

expectation of receiving or collecting a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, lists,

sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, leases, appraises residential property containing four (4) or

fewer units prepares an opinion of value, or auctions any real estate, or the improvements on real

estate including options or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate any such activity;

     (B) Advertises or holds himself or herself, itself, or themselves out as engaged in those

activities;

     (C) Directs or assists in the procuring of a purchaser or prospect calculated or intended to

result in a real estate transaction.

     (ii) Also includes any person, partnership, association, or corporation employed by or on

behalf of the owner or owners of lots, or other parcels of real estate, at a stated salary, or upon a

fee, commission or otherwise, to sell that real estate, or any parts, in lots or other parcels, and

who sells, exchanges or leases, or offers or attempts or agrees to negotiate the sale, exchange or

lease of any such lot or parcel of real estate;

     (5)(6) "Real estate salesperson" means and includes any person employed or engaged as

an independent contractor by or on behalf of a licensed real estate broker to do or deal in any

activity as included or comprehended by the definitions of a real estate broker in subdivision (4)

of this section, for compensation or otherwise.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND

SALESPERSONS

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     This act would define the term an "opinion of value" to be an analysis, opinion, of

conclusion prepared by a real estate broker relating to the price of identified real estate by

comparison to other property currently or recently sold in the marketplace.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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