The bill amends Section 3-7-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-7 entitled "Retail Licenses" to allow holders of retail Class A licenses to conduct wine, beer, and distilled spirit samplings inside their licensed premises. The amendment specifies that these sample tastings can be offered to consumers at no charge and outlines the quantity limits for each type of alcoholic beverage that can be sampled during a tasting event. The bill introduces an insertion that permits licensees to serve unlimited samples of wine products during the month of August, in addition to the already existing permissions for the months of March and November.
The bill also stipulates that food samplings must be provided at no charge during wine and beer tastings and that these food items cannot be sold afterward. Licensees are required to control the dispensing of samples without participation from wholesalers or suppliers and are limited to hosting no more than ten tasting events within a thirty-day period. Additionally, the bill mandates training for dispensers of alcoholic beverage samples and restricts the promotion of sampling events to the licensed premises only. It prohibits any involvement or contribution from wholesalers, manufacturers, suppliers, or any other entities in conjunction with the sampling events. The bill would take effect upon passage and adds the month of August to the times when unlimited free samples can be offered.
Statutes affected: 7203: 3-7-4.1