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5/27/2026
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Senate approves Sen. Patalano’s bill to exempt farms from connection, impact fees for water service
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STATE HOUSE — The Senate today approved legislation from Sen. Todd M. Patalano to exempt agricultural operations from fees associated with new water supply service.
“This important legislation helps to preserve Rhode Island’s agricultural heritage and support our hardworking farmers by making a long-overdue update to a statute that was originally passed decades ago,” said Senator Patalano (D-Dist. 26, Cranston).
The legislation (2026-S 2263) amends the state’s Farmland Preservation Act to prohibit any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing impact or connection fees for new connections to existing water service. Impact fees are often charged to offset the impact of new development on municipal services, such as education and public safety.
“Under the current statute, farmers can be charged these development fees simply because development is happening around them and pipes are being extended past their farm,” said Senator Patalano. “Farmers are often land rich, but cash poor. These fees can run thousands of dollars and can force farmers to sell a portion of their property to pay the fees, further eroding Rhode Island’s supply of historic farmland.”
Under the legislation, if agricultural properties are later developed or sold for the purpose of development, the fees can be recouped by the relevant municipalities or agencies.
The bill received the support of the Providence Water Supply Board and the Rhode Island Association of Realtors during committee testimony.
The bill now heads to the House, where Rep. Earl A. Read III (D-Dist. 26, Coventry, West Warwick, Warwick) has introduced similar legislation (2026-H 8014).
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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