The bill amends Section 3-7-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-7, which pertains to retail licenses for alcoholic beverages. The amendment allows holders of Class A retail licenses to conduct wine, beer, and distilled spirit samplings inside their licensed premises. The bill specifies that the samples provided to consumers must not exceed one-ounce servings for wine (limited to four products), one-ounce servings for beer (limited to two products), and one-quarter-ounce servings for distilled spirits (limited to two products). Additionally, the bill stipulates that wine, beer, and distilled spirit samplings cannot be conducted simultaneously on the same premises, and each consumer is limited to one sample of each product. The bill introduces a new provision that permits licensees to serve unlimited samples of wine products during the months of March, August, and November. It also requires that food samplings be provided at no charge during wine and beer tastings, and that these food items not be sold afterward. The bill restricts the promotion of sampling events to the licensed premises and prohibits wholesalers, manufacturers, suppliers, or any other entities from participating or providing services or value in conjunction with the samplings. The bill limits the duration of any tasting event to four hours and mandates that they be conducted during normal business hours. The act would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2698: 3-7-4.1