Rhode Island Senate Bans Grocery Store Deed Restrictions to Combat Food Deserts

TL;DR: Rhode Island’s Senate voted 37‑0 to ban deed restrictions that prevent new grocery stores, a move lawmakers say will stop the creation of food deserts.

The Senate approved S2644, part of Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos’ “Fair Price Grocery Agenda,” on May 5. The measure makes restrictive covenants—deed clauses that bar competing supermarkets from a property—unenforceable, with limited exceptions for nearby comparable stores.

Supporters argue these covenants have turned vacant retail sites into long‑term blanks, especially after a major supermarket closes. Sen. Melissa Murray warned that such clauses can leave neighborhoods without fresh‑food options for miles, forcing residents to rely on convenience stores and fast‑food outlets. “Grocery stores are a vital public health need,” she said.

Sen. Brian Thompson echoed the concern, noting that low‑income communities bear the brunt of these anti‑competitive practices. He said banning the covenants is essential to ensure future grocery development in areas that already struggle with food insecurity.

The bill passed with near‑unanimous support: 37 votes in favor and one abstention. It received backing from the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, which called the covenants “anti‑consumer” and harmful to municipal tax bases. The legislation allows an exception when a comparable store opens within half a mile of the closed location within a year, preserving some flexibility for developers.

If enacted, the law will dismantle a tool long used by retailers such as Stop & Shop and Walmart to protect market share. In Woonsocket, a 30‑year covenant prevents any “food supermarket” on a prime plaza, even though the chain never operated there. Critics say such clauses create commercial blight, depress property values, and reduce municipal revenue.

The next step is the House, where the bill will face a similar vote. Observers will watch whether the measure survives the full legislative process and how quickly it can be enforced, potentially reshaping the grocery landscape across Rhode Island.