Rhode Island Senate Bill S2266

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/26
• Refer: 1/23/26

Caption

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Summary

S2266 amends Rhode Island’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to prohibit landlords, property owners, property managers, agents, and others acting on their behalf from using certain algorithmic tools to set residential rent. The bill targets software, models, or devices that use algorithms, machine learning, or artificial intelligence and that rely on nonpublic competitor data to determine, fix, or suggest rent amounts. It also bars the use of such tools to decide rent changes for lease renewals or existing tenants. The bill defines key terms such as “algorithmic device,” “nonpublic competitor data,” and “rent,” and it includes exemptions for government housing program compliance tools, aggregate historical market reporting that does not make individualized recommendations, and internal accounting or recordkeeping systems that do not affect rent-setting. The act would take effect upon passage, but the substantive prohibition begins January 1, 2027.

Impact

This bill would add a new section to chapter 34-18 of the General Laws and create a new state-level restriction on rent-setting practices in the residential rental market. Violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under Rhode Island’s deceptive trade practices law, allowing enforcement by the attorney general and private actions by aggrieved persons, including equitable relief and civil penalties. It would also authorize the attorney general to issue regulations to implement the law.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the available context suggests the measure is presented as a consumer-protection and housing-affordability bill aimed at limiting algorithm-driven rent increases. The sponsorship by multiple senators indicates some level of legislative support, but no formal vote history or hearing record is provided to show broader sentiment. Overall, the bill appears framed positively as a transparency and anti-collusion measure in the rental market.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the bill’s restriction on landlords’ use of pricing software and data analytics, especially tools that rely on nonpublic market information. Supporters would likely view the measure as preventing coordinated or opaque rent inflation, while opponents may argue it limits legitimate business analytics, compliance tools, and market-based pricing. Another possible dispute is the breadth of the prohibition, particularly the ban on using algorithmic devices for renewals or rent adjustments, and whether the definitions are clear enough to distinguish prohibited pricing tools from permitted reporting or accounting systems.