The bill amends Section 3-7-19 of the General Laws, which pertains to the issuance of various retail licenses for the sale of beverages. It specifies that Retailers’ Class B, C, N, and I licenses, as well as licenses under § 3-7-16.8, cannot be issued within 200 feet of any building if the majority landowner objects, or within 200 feet of schools or places of worship, with certain exceptions and clarifications. Notably, an exception is made for the city of East Providence, where retailer’s Class A licenses cannot be issued within 500 feet of such institutions. The bill also allows for exemptions in specific areas of Providence, Newport, Warren, and Bristol, where the board of licenses may grant exemptions from the proximity restrictions after an application process. The legal language includes insertions of new provisions and definitions, with no deletions indicated.

Additionally, the bill grants authority to local boards and town councils in various cities and towns to exempt proposed retailer Class B and other specified licenses from existing proximity restrictions to places of worship and schools. These exemptions are specific to certain tax assessor plats and lots within municipalities such as Newport, Providence, Cranston, and several others. Each clause in the bill details the authority for exemptions in different locations, with the aim of facilitating the issuance or renewal of licenses in designated business districts or specific locations. The bill includes insertions for new exemptions but does not indicate any deletions from the current law.

Statutes affected:
38: 3-7-19