Authorizes the town of Glocester to levy a supplemental tax, by voter referendum, that exceeds the current tax cap by three percent (3%) for fiscal year 2026, to fund school operations and avoid the loss of critical town services.
Summary
H6409 amends Rhode Island’s local tax law to give the Town of Glocester special authority to exceed the state’s municipal tax cap for one fiscal year. Specifically, it allows Glocester, if approved by voter referendum, to levy a supplemental tax of up to an additional 3% above the existing 4% cap for fiscal year 2026. The stated purpose is to raise revenue for school department operations and to help the town avoid losing critical municipal services.
The bill is narrowly tailored to Glocester and does not create a general statewide change to municipal taxing authority. It also directs that any supplemental taxes levied under this authorization be counted in the town’s total levy calculation under the existing local tax assessment statute, ensuring the extra revenue is incorporated into the fiscal year 2026 levy certification process. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.
Impact
This bill creates a one-time, town-specific exception to chapter 44-5 of the General Laws governing levy and assessment of local taxes. For fiscal year 2026 only, Glocester may seek voter approval to raise additional property tax revenue beyond the normal 4% cap by up to 3%, and that supplemental amount must be included in the town’s certified levy under § 44-5-2(b). The practical effect is to increase local taxing capacity for Glocester and provide a legal mechanism to support school funding and municipal services without changing the general tax cap for other Rhode Island municipalities.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been viewed favorably overall, with strong support in the House votes. It passed amendment adoption unanimously and then passed as amended by a large margin, indicating broad agreement with the need to provide Glocester temporary fiscal relief. The available record does not include committee testimony or recorded debate, but the vote totals suggest the measure was not controversial in the chamber.
Contention
The main policy tension underlying the bill is the balance between preserving Rhode Island’s municipal tax cap and allowing a local override to address immediate budget pressures. Supporters are implicitly concerned with protecting school operations and essential town services, while any opposition would likely center on higher property taxes and the precedent of granting town-specific exceptions to the cap. No recorded committee discussion is available, and the near-unanimous votes suggest little visible contention in the House.