The bill amends Section 3-7-19 of the General Laws, which pertains to the issuance of retail licenses for the sale of beverages. It introduces new provisions that allow adjoining property owners to object to the issuance of certain licenses if the premises are within 200 feet of their property. Additionally, it prohibits the issuance of licenses for premises within 200 feet of schools and places of worship, with a specific distance of 500 feet set for the city of East Providence. The bill also outlines exemptions for certain existing license holders and grants the board of licenses in certain cities and towns the authority to exempt proposed retailer Class B, C, or I licenses from these proximity restrictions, with detailed descriptions of the exempted areas in Providence, Newport, Warren, and Bristol.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that exemptions to the proximity restrictions can be granted by local licensing boards in various Rhode Island cities and towns for retailer Class B, C, N, BVL, BV, P, and BL licenses at certain identified locations. The bill lists the exact plats and lots for each location where exemptions are permissible. An insertion in the bill gives the city of Providence's board of licenses the power to exempt a proposed retailer Class BV license at 1230 Elmwood Avenue, Plat 089, Lot 210, from the current section's provisions. The Legislative Council explains that this would allow the issuance of a BV alcoholic beverage license for that address, and the act would be effective immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
3070: 3-7-19