2019 -- S 0273

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LC000598

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

     

     Introduced By: Senator Samuel W. Bell

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 44-3-9, 44-3-9.1, 44-3-9.1.1, 44-3-9.2, 44-3-9.2.1, 44-3-9.3, 44-3-

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9.4, 44-3-9.5, 44-3-9.6, 44-3-9.7, 44-3-9.8, 44-3-10 and 44-3-47 of the General Laws in Chapter

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44-3 entitled "Property Subject to Taxation" are hereby repealed.

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     44-3-9. Exemption or stabilizing of taxes on property used for manufacturing,

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commercial, or residential purposes.

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     (a)(1) Except as provided in this section, the electors of any city or town qualified to vote

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on a proposition to appropriate money or impose a tax when legally assembled, may vote to

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authorize the city or town council, for a period not exceeding twenty (20) years, and subject to the

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conditions as provided in this section, to exempt from payment, in whole or in part, real and

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personal property which has undergone environmental remediation, is historically preserved, or is

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used for affordable housing, manufacturing, commercial, or residential purposes, or to determine

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a stabilized amount of taxes to be paid on account of the property, notwithstanding the valuation

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of the property or the rate of tax; provided, that after public hearings, at least ten (10) days' notice

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of which shall be given in a newspaper having a general circulation in the city or town, the city or

15

town council determines that:

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     (i) Granting of the exemption or stabilization will inure to the benefit of the city or town

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by reason of:

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     (A) The willingness of the manufacturing or commercial concern to locate in the city or

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town, or of individuals to reside in such an area; or

 

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     (B) The willingness of a manufacturing firm to expand facilities with an increase in

2

employment or the willingness of a commercial or manufacturing concern to retain or expand its

3

facility in the city or town and not substantially reduce its work force in the city or town; or

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     (C) An improvement of the physical plant of the city or town which will result in a long-

5

term economic benefit to the city or town and state; or

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     (D) An improvement which converts or makes available land or facility that would

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otherwise be not developable or difficult to develop without substantial environmental

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remediation; or

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     (ii) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the city

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or town by reason of the willingness of a manufacturing or commercial or residential firm or

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property owner to construct new or to replace, reconstruct, convert, expand, retain or remodel

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existing buildings, facilities, machinery, or equipment with modern buildings, facilities, fixtures,

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machinery, or equipment resulting in an increase or maintenance in plant, residential housing or

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commercial building investment by the firm or property owned in the city or town;

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     (2) Provided that should the city or town council make the determination in subparagraph

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(1)(i)(B) of this subsection, any exemption or stabilization may be granted as to new buildings,

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fixtures, machinery, or equipment for new buildings, firms or expansions, and may be granted as

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to existing buildings, fixtures, machinery and equipment for existing employers in the city or

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town.

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     (b) Cities shall have the same authority as is granted to towns except that authority

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granted to the qualified electors of a town and to town councils shall be exercised in the case of a

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city by the city council.

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     (c) For purposes of this section, "property used for commercial purposes" means any

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building or structures used essentially for offices or commercial enterprises.

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     (d) Except as provided in this section, property, the payment of taxes on which has been

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so exempted or which is subject to the payment of a stabilized amount of taxes, shall not, during

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the period for which the exemption or stabilization of the amount of taxes is granted, be further

28

liable to taxation by the city or town in which the property is located so long as the property is

29

used for the manufacturing or commercial, or residential purposes for which the exemption or

30

stabilized amount of taxes was made.

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     (e) Notwithstanding any vote of the qualified electors of a town and findings of a town

32

council or of any vote and findings by a city council, the property shall be assessed for and shall

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pay that portion of the tax, if any, assessed by the city or town in which the real or personal

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property is located, for the purpose of paying the indebtedness of the city or town and the

 

LC000598 - Page 2 of 17

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indebtedness of the state or any political subdivision of the state to the extent assessed upon or

2

apportioned to the city or town, and the interest on the indebtedness, and for appropriation to any

3

sinking fund of the city or town, which portion of the tax shall be paid in full, and the taxes so

4

assessed and collected shall be kept in a separate account and used only for that purpose.

5

     (f) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to permit the exemption or stabilization

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provided in this section for any manufacturing or commercial concern relocating from one city or

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town within the state of Rhode Island to another.

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     (g) Renewable energy resources, as defined in § 39-26-5, qualify for tax stabilization

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agreements pursuant to § 44-3-9(a).

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     44-3-9.1. Woonsocket -- Exemption or stabilizing of taxes on qualifying property

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located in designated districts in the city.

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     (a) Except as provided in this section, the city council of the city of Woonsocket may

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vote to authorize, for a period not exceeding ten (10) years, and subject to the conditions provided

14

in this section, to exempt from payment, in whole or in part, real and personal qualifying

15

property, or to determine a stabilized amount, of taxes to be paid on account of the qualifying

16

property located within a district designated by the city council, notwithstanding the valuation of

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the property or the rate of tax; provided, that after a public hearing, at least ten (10) days' notice

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of which shall be given in a newspaper having a general circulation in the city, the city council

19

determines that designation of the district and granting of the exemption or stabilization for

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qualifying property located in the city will inure to the benefit of the city by reason of the

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willingness of owners of qualifying property to replace, reconstruct, expand, or remodel existing

22

buildings, facilities, machinery, or equipment with modern buildings, facilities, fixtures,

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machinery, or equipment, or to construct new buildings or facilities or acquire new machinery or

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equipment for use in such buildings or facilities, resulting in an increase in investment by such

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owners in the city.

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     (b) For purposes of this section, "qualifying property" means any building or structures

27

used or intended to be used essentially for offices or commercial enterprises or for residential

28

purposes.

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     (c) Except as provided in this section, property, the payment of taxes on which has been

30

so exempted or which is subject to the payment of a stabilized amount of taxes, shall not, during

31

the period for which the exemption or stabilization of the amount of taxes is granted, be further

32

liable to taxation by the city so long as that property is used or intended to be used for the

33

manufacturing, commercial, or residential purposes for which the exemption or stabilized amount

34

of taxes was made.

 

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     (d) Notwithstanding any vote and findings by the city council, the property shall be

2

assessed for and shall pay that portion of the tax, if any, assessed by the city, for the purpose of

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paying the indebtedness of the city and the indebtedness of the state or any political subdivision

4

of the state to the extent assessed upon or apportioned to the city, and the interest on the

5

indebtedness, and for appropriation to any sinking fund of the city, which portion of the tax shall

6

be paid in full, and the taxes so assessed and collected shall be kept in a separate account and

7

used only for that purpose.

8

     44-3-9.1.1. Woonsocket -- Rehabilitation exemption for qualified residential

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structures in the city.

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     (a)(1) The tax assessor of the city of Woonsocket is authorized to grant a rehabilitation

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exemption from taxation for certain qualified residential structures. A "qualified residential

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structure" is defined as a residential structure or structures which is or are certified by the

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building inspection services division of the city of Woonsocket as being eligible for exemption.

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Eligibility for the exemption may be provided if the following conditions are met:

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     (i) The property is strictly residential in nature, consisting of three (3) or more units on a

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single lot, and was acquired by the applicant at a date subsequent to its being certified as vacant

17

by the building inspection services division. The building inspection services division will

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maintain a list of vacant properties, which will be updated monthly.

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     (ii) All permits necessary for the completed renovations, which will make the building(s)

20

meet minimum housing codes must be issued and provided to the tax assessor from the building

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inspection services division. An inspection of the structure by the building inspection services

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division, including the owner, contractor, electrical contractor, and minimum housing inspector,

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shall be done prior to the beginning of renovation.

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     (2) Upon furnishing to the city assessor proof that the requirements of subdivision (1) of

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this subsection have been met, the assessor shall certify to the applicant, in writing, that the

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property is eligible.

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     (b) Upon certification of eligibility, the property shall receive the following rehabilitation

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exemption:

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     (1) For both owner occupied and non-owner occupied, the assessment for the next tax

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year, hereinafter called "the base year," shall be zero percent (0%) of the previous year's

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valuation;

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     (2) If owner occupied, the assessment for the second year following certification shall be

33

twenty percent (20%) of the base year's valuation. If non-owner occupied, the assessment for the

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second year shall be fifty percent (50%) of the base year's valuation;

 

LC000598 - Page 4 of 17

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     (3) If owner occupied, the assessment for the third year following certification shall be

2

forty percent (40%) of the base year's valuation. If non-owner occupied, the assessment for the

3

third year following certification shall be one hundred percent (100%) of the base year's valuation

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plus the value of the improvements added to the original valuation;

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     (4) If owner occupied, the assessment for the fourth year following certification shall be

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sixty percent (60%) of the base year's valuation;

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     (5) If owner occupied, the assessment for the fifth year following certification shall be

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eighty percent (80%) of the base year's valuation;

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     (6) If owner occupied, the assessment for the sixth year following certification shall be

10

one hundred percent (100%) of the base year's valuation plus the value of the improvements

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added to the original valuation.

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     (c) If the city of Woonsocket implements property revaluation during the program, the

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original base year's valuation shall be replaced by the new assessed valuation with the percentage

14

adjustment made as specified.

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     (d) The rehabilitation exemption shall not apply to any of the following types of

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properties:

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     (1) Mixed commercial and residential use;

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     (2) Commercial and/or industrial use;

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     (3) Single- and two-family properties;

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     (4) Properties damaged by fire which are covered by insurance;

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     (5) Properties boarded or secured to protect mortgagor's interest, and not due to disrepair.

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     (e) The rehabilitation exemption shall cease upon the occurrence of any one of the

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following conditions:

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     (1) Property is sold or title transferred at any time during the term of said exemption;

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     (2) Failure to complete permitted work within a timely manner as determined by the

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building inspector;

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     (3) In properties that were owner-occupied, if the owner moves out of the property, the

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property's exemption changes to whatever status it would be if it were in the non-owner occupied

29

status.

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     44-3-9.2. North Smithfield -- Exemption or stabilizing of taxes on qualifying

31

property used for manufacturing or commercial purposes.

32

     (a) Except as provided in this section, the town council of the town of North Smithfield

33

may vote to authorize, for a period not to exceed ten (10) years, and subject to the conditions

34

provided in this section, to exempt from payment, in whole or in part, real and personal property

 

LC000598 - Page 5 of 17

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used for manufacturing or commercial purposes, or to determine a stabilized amount of taxes to

2

be paid on account of the property, notwithstanding the valuation of the property or the rate of

3

tax; provided, that after public hearings, at least ten (10) days' notice of which shall be given in a

4

newspaper having a general circulation in the town, the town council determines that:

5

     (1) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

6

town by reason of:

7

     (i) The willingness of the manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to locate in the

8

town; or

9

     (ii) The willingness of a manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to expand

10

facilities with an increase in employment; or

11

     (2) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

12

town by reason of the willingness of a manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to replace,

13

reconstruct, expand, or remodel existing buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment

14

with modern buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment resulting in an increase in

15

plant or commercial building investment by the firm or concern in the town.

16

     (b) For purposes of this section, "real property used for commercial purposes" includes

17

any building or structure used for offices or commercial enterprises including without limitation

18

any building or structure used for wholesale, warehouse, distribution, and/or storage businesses,

19

used for service industries, or used for any other commercial business and the land on which the

20

building or structure is situated and not used for residential purposes.

21

     (c) For purposes of this section, "personal property used for commercial purposes" means

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any personal property owned by a firm or concern occupying a building, structure, and/or land

23

used for commercial purposes and used by such firm or concern in its commercial enterprise

24

including, without limitation, furniture, fixtures, equipment, machinery, stock in trade, and

25

inventory.

26

     (d) Except as provided in this section, property, the payment of taxes on which has been

27

so exempted or which is subject to the payment of a stabilized amount of taxes, shall not, during

28

the period for which the exemption or stabilization of the amount of taxes is granted, be further

29

liable to taxation by the town in which the property is located so long as the property is used for

30

the manufacturing or commercial purposes for which the exemption or stabilized amount of taxes

31

was made.

32

     (e) Notwithstanding any vote and findings by the town council, the property shall be

33

assessed for and shall pay that portion of the tax, if any, assessed by the town of North Smithfield

34

for the purpose of paying the indebtedness of the town and the indebtedness of the state or any

 

LC000598 - Page 6 of 17

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political subdivision of the state to the extent assessed upon or apportioned to the town, and the

2

interest on the indebtedness, and for appropriation to any sinking fund of the town, which portion

3

of the tax shall be paid in full, and the taxes so assessed and collected shall be kept in a separate

4

account and used only for that purpose.

5

     44-3-9.2.1. North Smithfield -- Exemption or partial abatement of taxes for Rankin

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Estates.

7

     The town council of the town of North Smithfield may vote, at a duly noticed public

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meeting, to grant a partial abatement of taxes for a sum total yearly abatement in the amount of

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fourteen thousand three hundred dollars ($14,300), for a period of seven (7) years from the date

10

of master plan approval for a grand total of one hundred thousand one hundred dollars ($100,100)

11

in abatements for the real property known as "Rankin Estates" which consists of property located

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in the town of North Smithfield laid out and designated as assessor's plat 14, Lots 17, 19, 20, 29,

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31-34, 36, 88, 93, 106, 107, 123, 125, 128, 135, 136, 139, 140, 141, 144, 145, 147, 159, 202, 242.

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     44-3-9.3. Burrillville -- Exemption or stabilizing of taxes on qualifying property used

15

for manufacturing, commercial or mixed-use purposes.

16

     (a) Except as provided in this section, the town council of the town of Burrillville may

17

vote to authorize, for a period not to exceed ten (10) years, and subject to the conditions as

18

provided in this section, to exempt from payment, in whole or in part, real and personal property

19

used for manufacturing, commercial or mixed-use purposes, or to determine a stabilized amount

20

of taxes to be paid on account of such property, notwithstanding the valuation of the property or

21

the rate of tax; provided, that after public hearings, at least ten (10) days' notice of which shall be

22

given in a newspaper having a general circulation in the town, the town council determines that:

23

     (1) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

24

town by reason of:

25

     (i) The willingness of the manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to locate in the

26

town; or

27

     (ii) The willingness of a manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to expand

28

facilities with an increase in employment; or

29

     (2) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

30

town by reason of the willingness of a manufacturing, commercial or mixed-use firm or concern

31

to replace, reconstruct, expand, or remodel existing buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or

32

equipment with modern buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment resulting in an

33

increase in plant, commercial or mixed-use building investment by the firm or concern in the

34

town.

 

LC000598 - Page 7 of 17

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     (b) For purposes of this section, "real property used for commercial or mixed-use

2

purposes" includes any building or structure used for offices or commercial enterprises,

3

including, without limitation, any building or structure used for wholesale, warehouse,

4

distribution, and/or storage businesses, used for service industries, or used for any other

5

commercial business, including mixed-use, and the land on which any such building or structure

6

is situated and not used solely for residential purposes.

7

     (c) For purposes of this section, "personal property used for commercial or mixed-use

8

purposes" means any personal property owned by a firm or concern occupying a building,

9

structure, and/or land used for commercial or mixed-use purposes and used by such firm or

10

concern in its commercial or mixed-use enterprise including, without limitation, furniture,

11

fixtures, equipment, machinery, stock in trade, and inventory.

12

     (d) Except as provided in this section, real and personal property, the payment of taxes on

13

which has been so exempted or that is subject to the payment of a stabilized amount of taxes,

14

shall not, during the period for which the exemption or stabilization of the amount of taxes is

15

granted, be further liable to taxation by the town in which the property is located so long as the

16

property is used for the manufacturing, commercial or mixed-use purposes for which the

17

exemption or stabilized amount of taxes was made.

18

     (e) Notwithstanding any vote and findings by the town council, the property shall be

19

assessed for and shall pay that portion of the tax, if any, assessed by the town of Burrillville, for

20

the purpose of paying the indebtedness of the town and the indebtedness of the state or any

21

political subdivision of the state to the extent assessed upon or apportioned to the town, and the

22

interest on the indebtedness, and for appropriation to any sinking fund of the town, which portion

23

of the tax shall be paid in full, and the taxes so assessed and collected shall be kept in a separate

24

account and used only for that purpose.

25

     44-3-9.4. Middletown -- Economic development tax incentive program -- Assessed

26

valuation exemptions or stabilizing of taxes.

27

     (a) The town council of the Town of Middletown may, by ordinance, provide for a

28

schedule of exemptions from assessed valuation for real and personal property of property owners

29

or businesses which create jobs in the town and which qualify under such ordinance.

30

     (b) The town council of the Town of Middletown may, by ordinance, provide for a

31

schedule of exemptions from assessed valuation or determine a stabilized amount of taxes to be

32

paid for real and personal property of property owners or businesses for any retrofit, expansion or

33

renovation of specifically permitted uses under such ordinance and which qualify under such

34

ordinance. The ordinance shall specify the kinds of retrofitting, expansion and renovation for

 

LC000598 - Page 8 of 17

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which exemptions or stabilization will be permitted. The exemption shall be for a period of no

2

more than five (5) years.

3

     (c) The amount of the exemption or stabilization and the rules and regulations regarding

4

the eligibility and qualification for the exemption or stabilization shall be provided by ordinance

5

and the town council may, from time to time, by amendment to the ordinance, make those

6

changes in the amount of exemption or stabilization or in the rules and regulations regarding

7

eligibility and qualification for exemption as it deems necessary.

8

     44-3-9.5. North Providence -- Exemption or stabilizing of taxes on qualifying

9

property used for manufacturing or commercial purposes.

10

     (a) Except as provided in this section, the town council of the town of North Providence

11

may vote to authorize, for a period not to exceed ten (10) years, and subject to the conditions as

12

provided in this section, to exempt from payment, in whole or in part, real and personal property

13

used for manufacturing, or commercial purposes, or to determine a stabilized amount of taxes to

14

be paid on account of such property, notwithstanding the valuation of the property or the rate of

15

tax; provided, that after public hearings, at least ten (10) days' notice of which shall be given in a

16

newspaper having a general circulation in the town, the town council determines that:

17

     (1) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

18

town by reason of:

19

     (i) The willingness of the manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to locate in the

20

town; or

21

     (ii) The willingness of a manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to expand

22

facilities with an increase in employment; or

23

     (2) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

24

town by reason of the willingness of a manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to replace,

25

reconstruct, expand, or remodel existing buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment

26

with modern buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment resulting in an increase in

27

plant or commercial building investment by the firm or concern in the town.

28

     (b) For purposes of this section, "real property used for commercial purposes" includes

29

any building or structure used for offices or commercial enterprises including, without limitation,

30

any building or structure used for wholesale, warehouse, distribution, and/or storage businesses,

31

used for service industries, or used for any other commercial business, and the land on which any

32

such building or structure is situated and not used for residential purposes.

33

     (c) For purposes of this section, "personal property used for commercial purposes" means

34

any personal property owned by a firm or concern occupying a building, structure, and/or land

 

LC000598 - Page 9 of 17

1

used for commercial purposes and used by such firm or concern in its commercial enterprise

2

including, without limitation, furniture, fixtures, equipment, machinery, stock in trade, and

3

inventory.

4

     (d) Except as provided in this section, property, the payment of taxes on which has been

5

so exempted or which is subject to the payment of a stabilized amount of taxes, shall not, during

6

the period for which the exemption or stabilization of the amount of taxes is granted, be further

7

liable to taxation by the town in which the property is located so long as the property is used for

8

the manufacturing or commercial purposes for which the exemption or stabilized amount of taxes

9

was made.

10

     (e) Notwithstanding any vote and findings by the town council, the property shall be

11

assessed for and shall pay that portion of the tax if any assessed by the town of North Providence

12

for the purpose of paying the indebtedness of the town and the indebtedness of the state or any

13

political subdivision of the state to the extent assessed upon or apportioned to the town, and the

14

interest on the indebtedness, and for appropriation to any sinking fund of the town, which portion

15

of the tax shall be paid in full, and the taxes so assessed and collected shall be kept in a separate

16

account and used only for that purpose.

17

     44-3-9.6. Richmond -- Exemption or stabilization tax on qualified property used for

18

manufacturing or commercial purposes in the town Richmond.

19

     (a) Except as provided in this section, the town council of the town of Richmond may

20

vote to authorize, for a period not exceeding twenty (20) years, and subject to the conditions

21

provided in this section, to exempt from payment, in whole or part, real and personal property

22

used for manufacturing or commercial purposes, or to determine a stabilized amount of taxes to

23

be paid on account of the property, notwithstanding the valuation of the property or the rate of

24

tax; provided, that after public hearings, at least ten (10) days' notice of which shall be given in a

25

newspaper of general circulation in the town, the town council determines that:

26

     (1) Granting of the exemption or stabilization will inure to the benefit of the town by

27

reason of:

28

     (i) The willingness of the manufacturer or commercial concern to locate in the town; or

29

     (ii) The willingness of a manufacturing firm to expand facilities with an increase in

30

employment or the willingness of a commercial or manufacturing concern to retain or expand its

31

facility in the town and not reduce its work force in the town; or

32

     (iii) An improvement of the physical plant of the town that will result in long-term

33

economic benefits to the town and the state.

34

     (2) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

 

LC000598 - Page 10 of 17

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town by reason of the willingness of a manufacturing or commercial concern or property owner

2

to construct new or to replace, reconstruct, convert, expand, retain or remodel existing buildings,

3

facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment with modern buildings, facilities, fixtures,

4

machinery, or equipment, resulting in the maintenance of, or an increase in, the manufacturing or

5

commercial property investment by the firm or property owner in the town.

6

     (b) Should the town council make the determination in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through

7

paragraphs (a)(1)(iii), or subdivision (a)(2) of this section, an exemption or stabilization may be

8

granted for existing buildings, property, machinery, or facilities owned by businesses already

9

located in the town of Richmond on August 6, 2003.

10

     (c) For the purposes of this section, "commercial property" means any structure or facility

11

used essentially for offices or commercial enterprises.

12

     (d) Except as provided in this section, property for which taxes have been exempted in

13

whole or part, or stabilized pursuant to this section, shall not, during the period for which taxes

14

have been exempted or stabilized, be further liable to taxation by the town so long as the property

15

is used for the manufacturing or commercial purpose for which the exemption or stabilization was

16

granted.

17

     (e) Notwithstanding any vote of, or findings by the town council, the property shall be

18

assessed for, and shall pay, that portion of the tax, if any, assessed by the town for the purpose of

19

paying the indebtedness of the town and the indebtedness of the state or any political subdivision

20

of the state, to the extent assessed upon or apportioned to the town, and the interest on the

21

indebtedness, and for appropriation to any sinking fund of the town, which portion of the tax shall

22

be paid in full, and the taxes so assessed and collected shall be kept in a separate account and

23

used only for that purpose.

24

     (f) Any application for tax exemption or stabilization submitted pursuant to this section

25

shall be submitted before an application for development plan review is submitted to the

26

Richmond Planning Board pursuant to Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances, as amended.

27

     (g) Any tax exemption or stabilization granted by the town council pursuant to this

28

section shall be applicable for a period beginning on the first day of the fiscal year in which the

29

exemption or stabilization is granted.

30

     (h) If a property owner whose property tax has been exempted or stabilized pursuant to

31

this section becomes delinquent in the payment of its property taxes, or transfers ownership of its

32

business, the town council shall have the authority to review and terminate the tax exemption or

33

stabilization agreement.

34

     44-3-9.7. South Kingstown -- Exemption or stabilization of tax on qualified property

 

LC000598 - Page 11 of 17

1

used for manufacturing or commercial purposes in the town of South Kingstown.

2

     (a) Except as provided in this section, the town council of the town of South Kingstown

3

may vote to authorize, for a period not exceeding ten (10) years, and subject to the conditions

4

provided in this section, to exempt from payment, in whole or part, real and personal property

5

used for manufacturing or commercial purposes, or to determine a stabilized amount of taxes to

6

be paid on account of the property, notwithstanding the valuation of the property or the rate of

7

tax; provided, that after public hearings, at least ten (10) days' notice of which shall be given in a

8

newspaper of general circulation in the town, the town council determines that:

9

     (1) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

10

town by reason of:

11

     (i) The willingness of the manufacturing or commercial concern to locate in the town; or

12

     (ii) The willingness of a manufacturing firm to expand facilities with an increase in

13

employment or the willingness of a commercial or manufacturing concern to retain or expand its

14

facility in the town and not reduce its work force in the town; or

15

     (iii) An improvement of the physical plant of the town that will result in long-term

16

economic benefits to the town and the state.

17

     (2) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

18

town by reason of the willingness of a manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to replace,

19

reconstruct, expand or remodel existing buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment

20

with modern buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment, resulting in an increase in,

21

plant or commercial building investment by the firm or concern in the town.

22

     (b) Should the town council make the determination in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) -- paragraphs

23

(a)(1)(iii), or subdivision (a)(2) of this section, an exemption or stabilization may be granted for

24

existing buildings, property, machinery, or facilities owned by businesses already located in the

25

town of South Kingstown on January 1, 2006.

26

     (c) For the purposes of this section, "real property used for manufacturing or commercial

27

purposes" includes any building or structure used for offices or commercial enterprises including

28

without limitation any building or structure used for wholesale, warehouse, distribution, and/or

29

storage business, used for service industries, or used for any other commercial business and the

30

land on which the building or structure is situated and not used for residential purposes.

31

     (d) For purposes of this section, "personal property used for manufacturing or

32

commercial purposes" means any personal property owned by a firm or concern occupying a

33

building, structure, and/or land used for commercial purposes and used by such firm or concern in

34

its commercial enterprise including, without limitation, furniture, fixtures, equipment, machinery,

 

LC000598 - Page 12 of 17

1

stock in trade, and inventory.

2

     (e) Except as provided in this section, property for which taxes have been exempted in

3

whole or part, or stabilized pursuant to this section, shall not, during the period for which taxes

4

have been exempted or stabilized, be further liable to taxation by the town so long as the property

5

is used for the manufacturing or commercial purpose for which the exemption or stabilization was

6

granted.

7

     (f) Notwithstanding any vote of, or findings by the town council, the property shall be

8

assessed for, and shall pay, that portion of the tax, if any, assessed by the town for the purpose of

9

paying the indebtedness of the town and the indebtedness of the state or any political subdivision

10

of the state, to the extent assessed upon or apportioned to the town, and the interest on the

11

indebtedness, and for appropriation to any sinking fund of the town, which portion of the tax shall

12

be paid in full, and the taxes so assessed and collected shall be kept in a separate account and

13

used only for that purpose.

14

     (g) Any application for tax exemption or stabilization submitted pursuant to this section

15

shall be submitted before an application for development plan review is submitted to the South

16

Kingstown planning board, as applicable, or for other such permits and/or approvals that may be

17

required from any other town board or commission.

18

     (h) Any tax exemption or stabilization granted by the town council pursuant to this

19

section shall be applicable for a period beginning on the first day of the fiscal year in which the

20

exemption or stabilization is granted.

21

     (i) If a property owner whose property tax has been exempted or stabilized pursuant to

22

this section becomes delinquent in the payment of its property taxes, or transfers ownership of its

23

business, the town council shall have the authority to review and terminate the tax exemption or

24

stabilization agreement.

25

     44-3-9.8. West Greenwich -- Exemption or stabilization of tax on qualified property

26

used for manufacturing or commercial purposes in the town of West Greenwich.

27

     (a) Except as provided in this section, the town council of the town of West Greenwich

28

may vote to authorize, for a period not exceeding ten (10) years, and subject to the conditions

29

provided in this section, to exempt from payment, in whole or part, real and personal property

30

used for manufacturing or commercial purposes, or to determine a stabilized amount of taxes to

31

be paid on account of the property, notwithstanding the valuation of the property or the rate of

32

tax; provided, that after public hearings, at least ten (10) days' notice of which shall be given in a

33

newspaper of general circulation in the town, the town council determines that:

34

     (1) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

 

LC000598 - Page 13 of 17

1

town by reason of:

2

     (i) The willingness of the manufacturing or commercial concern to locate in the town; or

3

     (ii) The willingness of a manufacturing firm to expand facilities with an increase in

4

employment or the willingness of a commercial or manufacturing concern to retain or expand its

5

facility in the town and not reduce its work force in the town; or

6

     (iii) An improvement of the physical plant of the town that will result in long-term

7

economic benefits to the town and the state.

8

     (2) Granting of the exemption or stabilization of taxes will inure to the benefit of the

9

town by reason of the willingness of a manufacturing or commercial firm or concern to replace,

10

reconstruct, expand or remodel existing buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment

11

with modern buildings, facilities, fixtures, machinery, or equipment, resulting in an increase in,

12

plant or commercial building investments by the firm or concern in the town.

13

     (b) Should the town council make the determination in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) -- paragraphs

14

(a)(1)(iii), or subdivision (a)(2) of this section, an exemption or stabilization may be granted for

15

existing buildings, property, machinery, or facilities owned by businesses already located in the

16

town of West Greenwich on January 1, 2011.

17

     (c) For the purposes of this section, "real property used for manufacturing or commercial

18

purposes" includes any building or structure used for offices or commercial enterprises including

19

without limitation any building or structure used for wholesale, warehouse, distribution, and/or

20

storage business, used for service industries, or used for any other commercial business and the

21

land on which the building or structure is situated and not used for residential purposes.

22

     (d) For purposes of this section, "personal property used for manufacturing or

23

commercial purposes" means any personal property owned by a firm or concern occupying a

24

building, structure, and/or land used for commercial purposes and used by such firm or concern in

25

its commercial enterprise including, without limitation, furniture, fixtures, equipment, machinery,

26

stock in trade, and inventory.

27

     (e) Except as provided in this section, property for which taxes have been exempted in

28

whole or in part, or stabilized pursuant to this section, shall not, during the period for which taxes

29

have been exempted or stabilized, be further liable to taxation by the town so long as the property

30

is used for the manufacturing or commercial purposes for which the exemption or stabilization

31

was granted.

32

     (f) Notwithstanding any vote of, or findings by the town council, the property shall be

33

assessed for, and shall pay, that portion of the tax, if any, assessed by the town for the purpose of

34

paying the indebtedness of the town and the indebtedness of the state or any political subdivision

 

LC000598 - Page 14 of 17

1

of the state, to the appropriation to any sinking fund of the town, which portion of the tax shall be

2

paid in full, and the taxes so assessed and collected shall be kept in a separate account and used

3

only for that purpose.

4

     (g) Any application for tax exemption or stabilization submitted pursuant to this section

5

shall be submitted before an application for development plan review is submitted to the West

6

Greenwich planning board, as applicable, or for other such permits and/or approvals that may be

7

required from any other town board or commission.

8

     (h) Any tax exemption or stabilization granted by the town council pursuant to this

9

section shall be applicable for a period beginning on the first day of the fiscal year in which the

10

exemption or stabilization is granted.

11

     (i) If a property owner whose property tax has been exempted or stabilized pursuant to

12

this section becomes delinquent in the payment of its property taxes, or transfers ownership of its

13

business, the town council shall have the authority to review and terminate the tax exemption or

14

stabilization agreement.

15

     44-3-10. Idle manufacturing or mill property -- Exemption.

16

     The city council of any city or the town council of any town may, with the approval of

17

the tax administrator appointed pursuant to the provisions of § 44-1-1, wholly or partially exempt

18

from taxation for a period of not exceeding one year manufacturing or mill buildings in which

19

manufacturing has not been carried on for at least one year immediately prior to the granting of

20

the exemption, and, if so determined, the personal property located in the city or town, with like

21

power to repeat the action as often as may be deemed best; provided, that the owner agrees in

22

writing with the tax administrator that the building or buildings so exempted shall not be torn

23

down and that the personal property, if exempted, shall not be removed from the premises during

24

the period for which the exemption is granted; and, provided, that the owner of the building or

25

buildings agrees in writing with the tax administrator upon a price that the owner will accept for

26

the property so exempted during the period of the exemption.

27

     44-3-47. Cranston -- Economic development tax incentive program Exemptions.

28

     The city council of the city of Cranston may, by ordinance, provide exemptions from

29

assessed valuation for real and tangible personal property of property owners or businesses which

30

create jobs in the city of Cranston and any property owners or businesses for any retrofit,

31

expansion, or renovation of specifically permitted uses; provided, that the exemption shall be for

32

a period of not more than ten (10) years.

 

LC000598 - Page 15 of 17

1

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC000598

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LC000598 - Page 16 of 17

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION

***

1

     This act would repeal the authority of various cities and towns to provide certain tax

2

exemptions and tax stabilization agreements.

3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000598

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LC000598 - Page 17 of 17