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7/14/2015
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Successful session for Ackerman as mortgage bill signed into law; resolution, other cosponsored bills pass
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 STATE HOUSE — A bill introduced by Rep. Mia Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln) that effectively nullifies mortgages after a period of 35 years has been signed into law by Gov. Gina Raimondo. Representative Ackerman is the only Cumberland legislator to have a bill signed into law by the governor this session.
The new consumer-friendly law (2015-H 5625A) prohibits taking possession or beginning foreclosure proceedings on any mortgage after 35 years from the date of the mortgage’s recording. It also prohibits the same action on mortgages after 5 years following the expiration of the maturity date.
“This law will help both buyers and sellers of real estate avoid unnecessary legal complications when a property has an ancient mortgage attached to it,” said Representative Ackerman. “The old law capped mortgages at 50 years, but with so many mortgages changing hands, and the financial institutions themselves coming, going or changing names, it has become extremely difficult sometimes to determine who even owns a mortgage after that much time. Besides, most mortgages aren’t given for a term greater than 30 years anyway.”
Representative Ackerman is particularly proud of her fruitful efforts to bring
improvements to Old River Road in Lincoln. Work on the road will begin as early as September. Designated a “high-priority project” by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, the improvements to R.I. Route 126 will include the stretch of road between School Street and Sayles Hill Road.
“I feel particularly gratified that I was able to make a case that this road needed to be treated as the Department of Transportation’s highest priority,” said Representative Ackerman. “As a result, work is expected to begin on the road shortly.”
Representative Ackerman is also continuing to work with the town of Lincoln and the Department of Transportation to bring back the historic beacon to Albion after it was demolished in a recent automobile accident.
Representative Ackerman also cosponsored a proposal that was included in this year’s budget that eliminated Social Security income from personal property tax for many retirees.
Also, with the support of leadership, the House of Representatives passed a resolution introduced by Representative Ackerman that creates a commission to study sexual assault on college campuses. Her efforts in this area continue to garner national attention, having been reported in The Huffington Post, Associated Press and the Detroit Free Press. She is looking forward to an upcoming interview with Washington Monthly magazine.
The resolution (2015-H 6195A) creates an 11-member panel that will be tasked with undertaking a comprehensive study of options to eliminate the occurrence of sexual assaults on college campuses in Rhode Island.
“When I first submitted legislation at the beginning of this session, I was hoping to open a discussion about the problem of sexual assault on campuses,” said Representative Ackerman. “Well, I wasn’t disappointed. I heard from every college in the state. I heard the concerns of students, educators and law enforcement officers. Now I believe the best way to address this problem is through this commission. I want to keep the discussion going, because there are too many moving parts to be addressed right now in one piece of legislation.”
The commission will be made up of three members of the House, the superintendent of the State Police or a designee, the attorney general or a designee, a municipal police officer, a representative of public higher education, a representative of private higher education, a sexual assault treatment provider, a representative of a sexual assault advocacy group and a survivor of sexual assault.
Representative Ackerman also co-sponsored the Rhode Island Qualified Jobs Incentive Program (2015-H 5116) that encourages new and existing companies to grow and add new jobs.
The proposal, whose primary sponsor is Labor Committee Chairman K. Joseph Shekarchi (D- 23, Warwick), was adopted as part of the state budget. It will provide tax credits to eligible businesses that create new jobs through 2020 and will encourage the creation of high-quality jobs in priority industries and areas.
“This is a great way to improve the business climate in Rhode Island,” said Representative Ackerman. “The incentives could provide confidence for larger, well established companies to either add jobs by locating in Rhode Island or expanding existing operations already in the state. For smaller companies just starting out, it could provide the cash flow to keep a smaller operation more stable.”
Although the House passed other bills introduced by Representative Ackerman, they never reached the Senate floor before that chamber adjourned.
“I look forward to championing the other legislation I introduced this year, such as a bill that adds hoarding to the list of acts considered animal cruelty,” said Representative Ackerman. “And I will continue to support the measures that improve our economy, create jobs and help lower our tax burdens.”
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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