Prohibits any city, town, quasi-municipal corporation or public corporation from assessing any existing agricultural operation or agricultural land for the extension of any water utilities past the property and from imposing any connection fee.

Rhode Island Farmland Protection Bill: Water Utility Fee Exemption

This bill would protect existing farms and agricultural land in Rhode Island from being charged fees related to water utility projects that pass by — but don't directly serve — their property. Specifically, it would prevent cities, towns, and other public entities from billing farm owners for the cost of extending water lines or other water infrastructure along or past their land. It would also prohibit charging farms any fee to connect to that infrastructure.

The bill primarily affects farmers and owners of agricultural land across Rhode Island. Under current practice, when a municipality extends water utilities through an area, property owners along the route can sometimes be assessed a share of the construction costs — even if they don't want or need the service. This bill would make farms and agricultural operations exempt from those charges, meaning they could not be billed for the extension project or required to pay a connection fee simply because a water line runs near their property.

The practical effect would be to reduce the financial burden on farming operations that might otherwise face unexpected costs when local governments expand water infrastructure in rural or mixed-use areas. Supporters of similar measures often argue that such fees can put financial pressure on farm owners and potentially discourage continued agricultural use of the land. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process — it has been referred to the House Municipal Government & Housing Committee and recommended for further study, meaning lawmakers have not yet voted on it.