The bill proposes an amendment to Title 34 of the General Laws, specifically by adding a new chapter titled "PUBLIC AUCTIONS BY ELECTRONIC OR REMOTE PROCEDURES." This new chapter stipulates that public auctions of real estate or any interest therein conducted by any city or town must be held in person at the time and place specified in the legal advertisement, in accordance with Rhode Island statutes governing such sales. The bill explicitly prohibits public auctions of real estate from being conducted through electronic or remote procedures unless a Rhode Island superior court authorizes it after a hearing and finds that an in-person auction is not feasible for the specific case. The purpose of this section is to ensure greater public scrutiny of public auction sales of real estate in Rhode Island.

The bill would take effect immediately upon passage. The explanation provided by the Legislative Council clarifies that the act mandates public auctions of real estate or any interest therein to be conducted in person, barring electronic or remote procedures, unless court-ordered under special circumstances where an in-person auction is not feasible.