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Rhode IslandS23312026 Regular SessionSenate

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES .

Sponsored By: Samuel W. Bell (Democratic)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

29 provisions identified: 27 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Newport area and sidewalk cafe waivers

Newport can waive distance rules for Class B licenses in a described area near Broadway/Courthouse Square, after you apply. The board can also exempt a sidewalk cafe from the place‑of‑worship rule if you already hold a Class B license. Each waiver is local and discretionary.

Pawtucket area and lot exemptions

Pawtucket can waive distance rules for Class B, C, or I licenses in a described central area, after you apply. The board can also waive rules for specific plat/lots (Plat 54B Lots 4826, 827; Plat 65B Lot 662; Plat 23A Lots 599, 672, 673) as of March 1, 2021. Waivers apply only within the named area or to the listed lots.

Providence site-specific license waivers

Providence can waive the state’s 200‑foot distance and neighbor‑objection rules for many listed sites after you apply. Covered spots include 777 Elmwood Ave, 566 Plainfield St, 94 Carpenter St, 1007/1017 Broad St, 1948–1950 Westminster St, 226/230 and 215 Dean St, 161 Douglas Ave, 375 Smith St, 671 Broadway, and 464–468 Wickenden St. Several plat/lot parcels are also eligible (for example, Plat 13 Lots 31 & 32; Plat 68 Lot 732; Plat 105 Lots 489 & 12; Plat 32 Lot 232; Plat 43 Lot 211; Plat 109 Lot 289). One set uses the city tax map as of December 31, 2017 (11 Lowell Ave; 191 and 187 Pocasset Ave). License classes include Class B, BV, BL, BX, and Class C, as stated for each address.

Providence waivers for named liquor sites

Providence can waive the distance and objection rules for certain addresses after you apply. Examples include 150 Broadway; 737 Hope St; 865 Westminster St; 371 Smith St; 1230 Elmwood Ave; 777 Elmwood Ave; 225 Waterman St; 12 Governor St; 203–209 Douglas Ave; 79 Ives St; 601 Hartford Ave; and 94 Carpenter St. Allowed license classes vary by address (B, BV, BL, or P). The waiver applies only to the listed parcel and license class, and the board decides.

Providence zone and lot exemptions

Providence can waive the distance and objection rules in two described city areas for Class B, C, or I licenses, after you apply. The board can also waive rules for listed lots (lot 131 plat 68; lot 21 plat 49; lots 3 and 5 plat 35 as of December 31, 2003). Waivers are discretionary and tied to those areas or lots.

Warren business zones and 4 Market

Warren can waive distance rules for Class B, C, or I licenses in limited or general business zones, after you apply. The board can also waive rules for a Class B license at 4 Market St (Plat 3, Lot 74). Each waiver is local, discretionary, and tied to the zone or address.

Woonsocket downtown and address waivers

Woonsocket can waive the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules after you apply. Any license class inside the Downtown Overlay District can be exempted. A Class B license at 122 North Main St (Map/Lot 30-125-005) can also be exempted. These waivers are limited to the district and that specific address.

Statewide 200-foot limits for alcohol licenses

The law blocks new Class B, C, N, and I licenses (and § 3-7-16.8 licenses) within 200 feet of a school or place of worship. It also blocks a license if the owner of most land within 200 feet files an objection. In East Providence, Class A licenses face a 500-foot rule. Distance is measured from any point of the building. A private school means a nonpublic K–12 school recognized by the state or local school committee. Class B and C licenses issued before January 1, 1978 are exempt. Transfers are allowed if the licensed site existed before the nearby school or place of worship.

Barrington waiver at 305 Sowams

Barrington can waive distance rules for a Class B license at 305 Sowams Rd (Plat 30, Lot 141). You must apply. The waiver only covers that parcel.

Bristol waivers for named lots

Bristol can waive distance rules after you apply for certain parcels. These include 499 Hope St (Class B or BV); Lot 34 of Plat 10 (as of Dec. 31, 1999, including the sidewalk); and lots 3, 18, and 19 of Plat 10 (as of Dec. 31, 2007). Waivers are limited to the listed lots.

Central Falls license waivers by address

Central Falls can waive the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules for specific sites after you apply. Covered parcels include 913–915 Dexter St (Class BV) and Plat 5 Lot 188, Plat 1 Lot 164, and Plat 1 Lot 171 (Class B). These waivers are site‑specific and only apply to the listed lots.

Cranston waivers with added conditions

Cranston can waive the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules for Class B licenses at Plat 11 Lot 3558 and at Plat 1 Lot 2170 (tax map as of December 31, 2012) after you apply. Cranston also ties these waivers to a transfer framework and a tax‑payment check from a May 13, 2003 agreement. Applicants must be current on all local and state taxes and meet those transfer rules.

Cumberland Broad Street license waivers

Cumberland can exempt Class B licenses at 88 Broad Street on Lots 32, 51, and 52 of Plat 2 (tax map as of December 31, 2016) after you apply. These waivers lift the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules only for those listed lots.

East Greenwich listed address waivers

East Greenwich can exempt Class B licenses at several listed locations after you apply. Examples include 219 Main Street and Academy Court parcels named in the law. The waivers lift the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules only for those listed sites.

East Providence single‑site waiver

East Providence can exempt a Class B license at 136 Taunton Ave (Map 106, Block 6, Parcel 15) after you apply. The waiver lifts the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules only for that address.

East Providence waivers at two sites

East Providence can waive the distance rules for Class B licenses at 332 Bullock Point Ave and 130 Taunton Ave. You must apply. Each waiver only covers the named parcel.

Jamestown waiver at 53 Narragansett

Jamestown can waive distance rules for a Class BVL license at 53 Narragansett Ave (Plat 9, Lot 9207). You must apply. The waiver only covers that parcel.

Lincoln site‑specific license waiver

Lincoln can exempt a Class B license at Plat 10, Lot 108 (tax map as of December 31, 2015) after you apply. The waiver removes the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules only for that parcel.

Little Compton lot 33 license waiver

Little Compton can waive the place‑of‑worship rule for a Class B license limited to beer and wine on Plat 30, Lot 33 (as of Dec. 31, 2004). You must apply. The waiver only covers that parcel and that license limit.

Middletown BV license waiver (2014 map)

Middletown can exempt a Class BV license at Plat 107 NW, Lot 55 (tax map as of December 31, 2014) after you apply. This waiver lifts the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules only for that parcel.

North Providence license waivers

North Providence can grant site‑specific waivers after you apply. Covered Class B sites include 1441 Mineral Spring Ave (Plat 23A Lot 117), Plat 23A Lot 98, and Plat 22A Lot 336. These waivers lift the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection limits only for those parcels.

North Providence waiver for one lot

North Providence can waive distance rules for a Class B license on Plat 19, Lot 761. You must apply. The waiver only covers that lot.

Portsmouth site‑specific license waiver

Portsmouth can exempt a Class B license at Plat 37 Lot 69 after you apply. The waiver removes the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules only for that parcel.

Smithfield renewals and parcel waivers

Smithfield can grant site‑specific waivers after you apply. For Plat 45 Lot 042, the waiver only covers renewals of Class B, C, or I licenses that were issued for use at that site by December 31, 2011; if the license is not renewed, the waiver ends. The council can also exempt Class B or C licenses at Plat 6 Lot 54 (tax map as of December 31, 2012).

South Kingstown waiver at 357 Main

South Kingstown can waive distance rules for a Class BV license at 357 Main St (aka 23359 Main St; Plat 56-3, Lot 50). You must apply. The waiver only covers that parcel.

Tiverton restaurant license waiver

Tiverton can exempt a Class BV restaurant license at Plat 181 Lot 1A after you apply. The waiver lifts the 200‑foot and neighbor‑objection rules only for that parcel.

Westerly Main Street license waivers

Westerly can waive distance rules for Class B licenses at 114 Granite St, 163 Main St, and 169 or 177 Main St. You must apply. Each waiver only covers the listed map/lot.

Woonsocket waiver at 43 Railroad

Woonsocket can waive distance rules for a Class B license at 43 Railroad St (Plat 14R, Lot 21205). You must apply. The waiver only covers that parcel.

Cranston waivers with tax conditions

Cranston can waive distance rules for Class B licenses on Lot 160 of Plat 159 and/or Lot 152 of Plat 9 (as of Dec. 31, 2002). Any transferee must follow the May 13, 2003 city MOU rules and normal Class B transfer rules. The waiver takes effect only after the licensee and the property owner are certified current on all local and state taxes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Samuel W. Bell

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 103 • No: 0

House vote • 4/28/2026

ALCOHOLIC BEV -- RETAIL LICENSES PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 67 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES Passage

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective without Governor's signature — Chapter 024

    5/6/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    4/28/2026Governor

  3. House passed in concurrence

    4/28/2026House

  4. Placed on the House Consent Calendar (04/28/2026)

    4/24/2026House

  5. Committee recommends passage in concurrence

    3/24/2026

  6. Scheduled for consideration (03/24/2026)

    3/20/2026

  7. Referred to House Municipal Government & Housing

    2/27/2026House

  8. Senate read and passed

    2/26/2026Senate

  9. Placed on Senate Calendar (02/26/2026)

    2/12/2026Senate

  10. Committee recommends passage

    2/10/2026

  11. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/10/2026)

    2/6/2026

  12. Introduced, referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

    1/23/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • S2331 - As Introduced

    1/23/2026

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