(a)  Whenever in the opinion of the head of any department, board, bureau, commission, or agency of the state government, hereinafter referred to as the acquiring authority, the acquisition of land or other real property or any interest, estate, or right therein is necessary or advantageous to the establishment, acquisition, construction, development, betterment, or maintenance of any governmental facility, public work, or public improvement, the acquiring authority shall be and hereby is authorized and empowered, within the limits of the appropriations that are available or that shall be made available, with the approval of the state properties committee, and in the case of purchases by or gifts or devises to the state, subject to the approval of the governor, to take in fee simple or otherwise in the name and for the benefit of the state of Rhode Island, by purchase, lease, gift, or devise lands and other real property and rights, interests, estates, easements, and privileges therein, and foreshore, riparian, and littoral rights thereto for the public use within the state of Rhode Island.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 37-6-5

  • Devise: To gift property by will.
  • Fee simple: Absolute title to property with no limitations or restrictions regarding the person who may inherit it.
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.

(b)  No acquiring authority shall relinquish riparian rights of Colt State Park or Poppasquash Road, Bristol to any entity for private use.

History of Section.
P.L. 1953, ch. 3105, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 37-6-5; P.L. 2005, ch. 432, § 1.