Bill Sponsors
Boylan, and Knight
Committee
House Municipal Government & Housing
Summary
Select
This legislation amends existing state laws regarding dog ownership to specifically empower the Barrington Town Council. It grants the council the authority to establish a local ordinance requiring an annual licensing fee for dogs. The bill stipulates that if Barrington chooses to implement this fee, the cost cannot exceed seven dollars ($7.00) per dog. This change adds Barrington to a list of other Rhode Island municipalities that already have specific statutory authority to set their own dog licensing rates within defined limits.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Strengthens local governance by granting the Barrington Town Council the autonomy to make decisions regarding fee structures that best fit their specific community needs.
- Ensures affordability for residents by setting a strict cap of seven dollars, preventing the fee from becoming a financial burden on lower-income pet owners.
- Provides a mechanism for the town to generate modest local revenue, which can be utilized to support animal control services and community safety.
Cons for Progressives
- Relies on a regressive flat-fee structure where the cost impacts low-income residents proportionately more than wealthy residents in the town.
- Contributes to a fragmented legal system by creating town-specific exceptions rather than establishing a standardized, equitable statewide policy for animal welfare funding.
- Limits the potential for revenue generation by capping the fee at a very low amount, which may not be sufficient to fund robust public services or animal control improvements.
Pros for Conservatives
- Upholds the principle of decentralized government by shifting decision-making power from the state level down to the local Barrington Town Council.
- Protects taxpayers from potential overreach by codifying a strict maximum limit on the fee, ensuring costs cannot arbitrarily skyrocket.
- Reinforces the rule of law and public order by maintaining a structured system for the registration and tracking of domestic animals.
Cons for Conservatives
- Increases the financial burden on citizens by authorizing a government fee for the private ownership of a family pet.
- Expands bureaucratic oversight into private lives by requiring residents to register their personal property with the local government.
- Sets a precedent for government revenue generation through fees on personal property, which could lead to further encroachments on financial freedom.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Dog owners in Barrington
- Barrington Town Council
- Barrington Town Clerk
- Local Animal Control
- Taxpayers in Barrington
Towns Affected
Barrington
Cost to Taxpayers
Dog Owners in Barrington: Up to $7/yr
Revenue Generated
Barrington: Up to $7/yr per dog
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
Measures population affected and overall level of impact.
Freedom Impact
Level of individual freedom impacted by the bill.
Public Services
How much the bill is likely to impact one or more public services.
Regulatory
Estimated regulatory burden imposed on the subject(s) of the bill.
Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.
Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/21/2026 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
• 01/23/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (01/27/2026)
• 01/27/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 03/13/2026 Scheduled for consideration (03/17/2026)
• 03/17/2026 Committee recommends passage
• 03/20/2026 Placed on House Calendar (03/24/2026)
• 03/24/2026 House read and passed
• 03/27/2026 Referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government
• 04/03/2026 Scheduled for consideration (04/09/2026)
• 04/09/2026 Committee recommends passage in concurrence
• 04/10/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (04/14/2026)
• 04/14/2026 Senate passed in concurrence
• 04/14/2026 Transmitted to Governor
• 04/22/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
• 01/23/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (01/27/2026)
• 01/27/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 03/13/2026 Scheduled for consideration (03/17/2026)
• 03/17/2026 Committee recommends passage
• 03/20/2026 Placed on House Calendar (03/24/2026)
• 03/24/2026 House read and passed
• 03/27/2026 Referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government
• 04/03/2026 Scheduled for consideration (04/09/2026)
• 04/09/2026 Committee recommends passage in concurrence
• 04/10/2026 Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar (04/14/2026)
• 04/14/2026 Senate passed in concurrence
• 04/14/2026 Transmitted to Governor
• 04/22/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 4-13-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-13 entitled "Dogs" is hereby amended to read as follows:
4-13-4. Dog licenses — Fees — Penalties.
(a)(1) Every owner or keeper of a dog shall annually, in April, obtain a license effective May 1 through the office of the city or town clerk of the city or town in which the owner or keeper resides.
(2) The fees for the license shall be five dollars ($5.00).
(3) No city or town shall issue any license under this section unless the dog has been inoculated against rabies for the period of time which the license would be valid.
(4) All licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be valid in every city or town during the then-current year.
(5) Any person who becomes the owner or keeper of a dog shall obtain a license within thirty (30) days after he or she becomes the owner or keeper.
(6)(i) The Cumberland town clerk may issue a license renewable every two (2) years for a licensing fee of six dollars ($6.00).
(ii) Glocester town council may provide for an annual licensing fee of fourteen dollars ($14.00) for all dogs, except spayed or neutered females and males, and for an annual licensing fee of seven dollars ($7.00) for spayed or neutered female and male dogs.
(iii) Jamestown town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) for neutered dogs, and not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for unneutered dogs.
(iv) Newport city council may, however, provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of not more than ten dollars ($10.00) for all spayed and neutered dogs, and for an annual licensing fee of not more than fifteen dollars ($15.00) for unspayed females and unneutered males.
(v) North Smithfield town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of five dollars ($5.00) for all dogs.
(vi)(A) South Kingstown town council may provide for an annual licensing fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) for all dogs, except spayed or neutered female and male dogs, and for an annual licensing fee of seven dollars ($7.00) for spayed or neutered female and male dogs.
(B) The South Kingstown town council may assess an impound fee.
(vii)(A) Westerly town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual license fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for unspayed female dogs and unneutered male dogs;
(B) May provide for a fee of one dollar ($1.00) for the replacement of lost dog tags;
(C) May provide that no fee be charged to license guide dogs used by persons with disabilities;
(D) May provide for the number of licensed dogs which may be kept at any single-family residence, other than a breeding kennel; and
(E) May provide for pecuniary penalties not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for violations.
(viii) Woonsocket city council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of five dollars ($5.00) for all dogs.
(ix)(A) West Warwick town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual license fee of seven dollars ($7.00) for each neutered male or spayed female and fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each unneutered male and unspayed female.
(B) May provide, by ordinance, for a payment of a two dollars ($2.00) fee for duplicate or for replacement tags.
(x)(A) Pawtucket city council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) for spayed or neutered dogs, and not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for unspayed or unneutered dogs.
(B) May provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee for dogs owned by residents age 65 or older not to exceed five dollars ($5.00) for spayed or neutered dogs, and not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00) for unspayed or unneutered dogs.
(xi) Scituate town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual license fee not to LC004063 - Page 2 of 4 exceed twenty ($20.00) dollars for all dogs.
(xii) Burrillville town council may:
(A) Provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of not more than ten dollars ($10.00) for all dogs; and
(B) Provide for pecuniary penalties not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for violations.
(xiii) The Middletown town council may:
(A) Provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per dog.
(xiv) Foster town council may:
(A) Provide, by ordinance, for an annual or biennial licensing fee not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) for all dogs; and
(B) Provide for pecuniary damages not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for violations.
(xv) The Barrington town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of not more than seven dollars ($7.00) per dog.
(b) Every person, owning or keeping a dog not licensed and/or collared according to the provisions of this chapter, shall be fined ten dollars ($10.00) to be applied to the support of the city or town, and that fine shall be in addition to all other lawful fees.
(c) Any city or town may waive the fee to be charged to license guide dogs used by persons with disabilities.
(d) In the city of Woonsocket, every person owning or keeping a dog not licensed and/or collared according to the provisions of this chapter shall be fined fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first offense; one hundred dollars ($100) for the second offense; and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for the third and subsequent offenses.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
4-13-4. Dog licenses — Fees — Penalties.
(a)(1) Every owner or keeper of a dog shall annually, in April, obtain a license effective May 1 through the office of the city or town clerk of the city or town in which the owner or keeper resides.
(2) The fees for the license shall be five dollars ($5.00).
(3) No city or town shall issue any license under this section unless the dog has been inoculated against rabies for the period of time which the license would be valid.
(4) All licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be valid in every city or town during the then-current year.
(5) Any person who becomes the owner or keeper of a dog shall obtain a license within thirty (30) days after he or she becomes the owner or keeper.
(6)(i) The Cumberland town clerk may issue a license renewable every two (2) years for a licensing fee of six dollars ($6.00).
(ii) Glocester town council may provide for an annual licensing fee of fourteen dollars ($14.00) for all dogs, except spayed or neutered females and males, and for an annual licensing fee of seven dollars ($7.00) for spayed or neutered female and male dogs.
(iii) Jamestown town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) for neutered dogs, and not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for unneutered dogs.
(iv) Newport city council may, however, provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of not more than ten dollars ($10.00) for all spayed and neutered dogs, and for an annual licensing fee of not more than fifteen dollars ($15.00) for unspayed females and unneutered males.
(v) North Smithfield town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of five dollars ($5.00) for all dogs.
(vi)(A) South Kingstown town council may provide for an annual licensing fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) for all dogs, except spayed or neutered female and male dogs, and for an annual licensing fee of seven dollars ($7.00) for spayed or neutered female and male dogs.
(B) The South Kingstown town council may assess an impound fee.
(vii)(A) Westerly town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual license fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for unspayed female dogs and unneutered male dogs;
(B) May provide for a fee of one dollar ($1.00) for the replacement of lost dog tags;
(C) May provide that no fee be charged to license guide dogs used by persons with disabilities;
(D) May provide for the number of licensed dogs which may be kept at any single-family residence, other than a breeding kennel; and
(E) May provide for pecuniary penalties not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for violations.
(viii) Woonsocket city council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of five dollars ($5.00) for all dogs.
(ix)(A) West Warwick town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual license fee of seven dollars ($7.00) for each neutered male or spayed female and fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each unneutered male and unspayed female.
(B) May provide, by ordinance, for a payment of a two dollars ($2.00) fee for duplicate or for replacement tags.
(x)(A) Pawtucket city council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) for spayed or neutered dogs, and not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for unspayed or unneutered dogs.
(B) May provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee for dogs owned by residents age 65 or older not to exceed five dollars ($5.00) for spayed or neutered dogs, and not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00) for unspayed or unneutered dogs.
(xi) Scituate town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual license fee not to LC004063 - Page 2 of 4 exceed twenty ($20.00) dollars for all dogs.
(xii) Burrillville town council may:
(A) Provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of not more than ten dollars ($10.00) for all dogs; and
(B) Provide for pecuniary penalties not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for violations.
(xiii) The Middletown town council may:
(A) Provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per dog.
(xiv) Foster town council may:
(A) Provide, by ordinance, for an annual or biennial licensing fee not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15.00) for all dogs; and
(B) Provide for pecuniary damages not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for violations.
(xv) The Barrington town council may provide, by ordinance, for an annual licensing fee of not more than seven dollars ($7.00) per dog.
(b) Every person, owning or keeping a dog not licensed and/or collared according to the provisions of this chapter, shall be fined ten dollars ($10.00) to be applied to the support of the city or town, and that fine shall be in addition to all other lawful fees.
(c) Any city or town may waive the fee to be charged to license guide dogs used by persons with disabilities.
(d) In the city of Woonsocket, every person owning or keeping a dog not licensed and/or collared according to the provisions of this chapter shall be fined fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first offense; one hundred dollars ($100) for the second offense; and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for the third and subsequent offenses.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.