ADVOCACY

At RISTRA, advocacy is a key part of our mission. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of Rhode Island short-term rental homeowners and ensuring their voices are heard. We actively participate in hearings and debates at the Rhode Island State House and have provided testimony on bills that would negatively impact our members.

We encourage our members to become active in their local government and join us in advocating for their rights and the future of short-term rentals in Rhode Island.

2023-2025 Study Commission

SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICIES THAT DEAL WITH NUMEROUS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SHORT-TERM RENTALS ISSUES

At the end of last year’s General Assembly session, this Association and the community as a whole was able to defeat or have tabled many pieces of legislation that would have been highly detrimental to our way of life. However, a commission to study the issue passed in the form of a Resolution in the House of Representative (H-6449) and is currently underway.

There are 15 members on the study commission and the RISTRA Executive Director, Greer Gagnier, is one of them. Others include members of the House of Representatives, the RI Association of Realtors, the RI Hospitality Association, the RI League of Cities and Towns, tourism and taxation officials, to name a few.

The importance of our involvement in this study commission cannot be overstated. Its findings will shape the direction of legislation to be introduced next year which, once again, may negatively impact our industry, unless we influence the outcome with our constant participation and insights.

We intend to fully participate in the work of this commission and will keep our members apprised every step of the way. The power of our collective voices and our vigilant oversight and participation of pending legislation will be the keys to our continued success.