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Rhode IslandS32882026 Regular SessionSenate

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES .

Sponsored By: Lammis J. Vargas (Democratic)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Bay and South County license exemptions

Town boards can exempt state distance limits for listed parcels in Jamestown, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, and South Kingstown. Examples: Jamestown (53 Narragansett Ave, Class BVL), Barrington (305 Sowams Rd, Class B), Warren (4 Market St, Class B), Bristol (499 Hope St, Class B or BV), and South Kingstown (357 Main St, Class BV). Apply locally. Approvals are case by case and only for the named addresses.

Easier alcohol licenses at listed addresses

The law lets local boards approve retailer alcohol licenses at a few named sites, even near schools or places of worship. You must apply to the city or town licensing authority. Covered sites include: Providence — 1230 Elmwood Ave (Plat 089, Lot 210); 865 Westminster St (Plat 029, Lot 136); 94 Carpenter St (Plat 029, Lot 25278); 1023 Broad St (Plat 053, Lot 29620); 1039 Douglas Ave (Plat 102, Lot 71). North Providence — 1441 Mineral Spring Ave (Plat 23A, Lot 117). Central Falls — 913–915 Dexter St (Plat 7, Lot 3156). Cranston — 1814 Broad St (Plat 2, Lot 3772).

East Greenwich Main Street exemptions

East Greenwich’s board of licenses can exempt state distance limits for Class B licenses at 219 Main St and several other listed parcels. Examples include 137 Main St and 59 Main St. Apply to the town board. Approvals are case by case and only for the listed properties.

East Providence location-based license exemptions

East Providence officials can exempt state distance limits for Class B licenses at 130 and 136 Taunton Ave and 332 Bullock Point Ave. Apply to the local licensing board or city council, as listed. Approvals are discretionary and apply only to these properties.

Northern Rhode Island parcel exemptions

Several northern Rhode Island towns can exempt state distance rules for named parcels. Lincoln (Plat 10, Lot 108 as of December 31, 2015), Cumberland (88 Broad St, Lots 32, 51, 52 as of December 31, 2016), Central Falls (Plat 1, Lot 171), Pawtucket (listed Plat/Lots as of March 1, 2021), and North Providence (Plat 19, Lot 7617). Licenses include Class B (most towns) and Class B, C, or N in Pawtucket. Apply to each town’s board or council for a case-by-case decision.

Providence case-by-case alcohol licenses

Providence’s board of licenses can exempt state distance limits for alcohol sales at many named parcels. It covers Class B, BV, BL, BX, C, and P licenses, as listed. Examples include 777 Elmwood Ave, 225 Waterman St, 94 Carpenter St, 464–468 Wickenden St, 371 and 375 Smith St, and 79 Ives St. You must apply to the Providence board, and approval is case by case for the listed addresses only. Some parcels are defined by assessor maps as of December 31, 2017.

Westerly Main Street license exemptions

Westerly’s town council can exempt state distance rules for Class B licenses at 114 Granite St and at 163, 169, and 177 Main St. You must apply to the town council. Decisions are case by case and limited to these addresses.

Woonsocket downtown and parcel exemptions

Woonsocket can exempt state distance limits for alcohol licenses at 122 North Main St and 43 Railroad St. The city can also exempt any class of retail license inside the Downtown Overlay District. Apply to the city council or the local licensing board as specified. Approvals are case by case and only for these locations or the defined district.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lammis J. Vargas

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 107 • No: 0

House vote • 6/11/2026

ALCOHOLIC -- RETAIL LICENSES PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 69 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/10/2026

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES Passage

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective without Governor's signature — Chapter 264

    6/26/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/18/2026Governor

  3. House passed in concurrence

    6/11/2026House

  4. Placed on House Calendar (06/11/2026)

    6/11/2026House

  5. Senate read and passed

    6/10/2026Senate

  6. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/10/2026)

    5/22/2026Senate

  7. Committee recommends passage

    5/21/2026

  8. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/21/2026)

    5/15/2026

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

    5/15/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • S3288 - As Introduced

    5/15/2026

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