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Rhode IslandS27492026 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

16 provisions identified: 16 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Providence: targeted liquor license waivers

Providence can waive the usual distance rules for alcohol retailers at named sites after you apply. It covers Class B, BV, BL, BX, or P licenses, depending on the address. Examples include 737 Hope St, 225 Waterman St, 671 Broadway, 1023 Broad St, 94 Carpenter St, 777 Elmwood Ave, 601 Hartford Ave, 566 Plainfield St, 161 and 203–209 Douglas Ave, 371 and 375 Smith St, 464–468 Wickenden St, and 865 Westminster St. Each approval is case by case and tied to the listed address and license class.

Woonsocket: downtown and address waivers

Woonsocket’s city council can waive the usual distance rules for alcohol retailers after you apply. Any class of retail license can be exempted inside the Downtown Overlay District. A Class B license can also be allowed at 122 North Main St and 43 Railroad St. Each approval is site specific and decided by the council.

Barrington: parcel-based license waiver

Barrington can waive distance rules for a Class B retailer at 305 Sowams Rd after you apply. The approval, if granted, is only for that address.

Bristol: parcel-based license waiver

Bristol can waive distance rules for a Class B or BV retailer at 499 Hope St after you apply. The approval, if granted, is only for that address and license types.

Central Falls waivers for liquor licenses

Central Falls can approve Class B or BV licenses for 913–915 Dexter St (Plat 7, Lot 3156) and for Plat 1, Lot 171. This can happen even if a site is within the usual 200‑foot buffer from a school, a place of worship, or an objecting landowner. You must apply. The city council decides and may add local conditions.

Cumberland waiver for 88 Broad Street

Cumberland can approve a Class B license for 88 Broad St, Lots 32, 51, and 52 of Plat 2. This can happen even if the site is inside the usual 200‑foot buffer from a school, place of worship, or an objecting landowner. You must apply. The local board decides and may set conditions.

East Greenwich: address-based license waivers

East Greenwich can waive distance rules for a Class B retailer at 219 Main St and several other listed sites after you apply. Examples include 137 Main St, 59 Main St, 555 Main St, 609 Main St, 241 Main St, 155 Main St, 149 Main St, 2 Academy Ct, and 2374 Cliff St. Each approval is tied to the specific address.

East Providence: address-based license waivers

East Providence can waive distance rules for Class B retailers at listed sites after you apply. Examples include 130 Taunton Ave, 136 Taunton Ave, and 332 Bullock Point Ave. Each approval is site specific.

Jamestown: address-based BVL waiver

Jamestown can waive distance rules for a Class BVL retailer at 53 Narragansett Ave after you apply. The approval is limited to that site and license class.

Lincoln: parcel-based Class B waiver

Lincoln can waive distance rules for a Class B retailer on Plat 10, Lot 108 after you apply. The exemption applies to that parcel as it existed on December 31, 2015.

North Providence: parcel-based waivers

North Providence can waive distance rules for Class B retailers at two listed sites after you apply. Sites include Plat 19, Lot 7617 and 1441 Mineral Spring Ave (Plat 23A, Lot 117). Each approval is tied to that parcel.

Pawtucket: parcel-based license waivers

Pawtucket can waive distance rules for Class B, C, or N retailers on listed plats after you apply. The parcels must have existed on March 1, 2021. Listed plats include 54B Lots 4826 and 827; 65B Lot 662; and 23A Lots 599, 672, and 673.

Providence waivers for certain liquor licenses

Providence can approve specific alcohol licenses at named addresses even if they are within the usual 200‑foot buffer from a school, place of worship, or an objecting landowner. Examples include 1039 Douglas Ave (Class B), 215 Dean St (Class C), 100–102 Hope St (Class B), 11 Lowell Ave and 191/187 Pocasset Ave (Class B), and 819 Westminster St (Class C, B, or BV). You must apply. The local board decides and may set conditions.

South Kingstown: address-based BV waiver

South Kingstown can waive distance rules for a Class BV retailer at 357 Main St (also listed as 23359 Main St, Plat 56-3, Lot 50) after you apply. The approval is tied to that parcel.

Warren: parcel-based license waiver

Warren can waive distance rules for a Class B retailer at 4 Market St after you apply. The approval is site specific and decided by the board.

Westerly: address-based license waivers

Westerly can waive distance rules for Class B retailers at named sites after you apply. Examples include 114 Granite St, 163 Main St, and 169 or 177 Main St. Each approval is address specific and decided by the town council.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Samuel W. Bell

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 95 • No: 0

House vote • 6/3/2026

ALCOHOLIC -- RETAIL LICENSES PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 63 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES Passage

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective without Governor's signature — Chapter 077

    6/11/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/3/2026Governor

  3. House passed in concurrence

    6/3/2026House

  4. Placed on the House Consent Calendar (06/03/2026)

    5/29/2026House

  5. Committee recommends passage in concurrence

    5/26/2026

  6. Scheduled for consideration (05/26/2026)

    5/22/2026

  7. Committee transferred to House Municipal Government & Housing

    5/7/2026House

  8. Referred to House Education

    4/15/2026House

  9. Senate read and passed

    4/14/2026Senate

  10. Placed on Senate Calendar (04/14/2026)

    4/9/2026Senate

  11. Committee recommends passage

    4/8/2026

  12. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/08/2026)

    4/3/2026

  13. Meeting postponed (04/01/2026)

    3/27/2026

  14. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration

    3/27/2026

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

    2/27/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • S2749 - As Introduced

    2/27/2026

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