The bill amends Section 3-5-16 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-5, which pertains to the regulation of liquor licenses. It establishes a maximum number of licenses that can be issued based on population, specifically stating that the number of Class C licenses in any town or city shall not exceed one for every one thousand inhabitants. Additionally, it sets conditions for the issuance of Class A licenses, allowing cities and towns to grant renewals for existing licenses while imposing limits on new licenses until the number of outstanding licenses is reduced to specified ratios based on population.

The bill includes new provisions that expressly authorize the town of Scituate to issue a total of three (3) Class A liquor licenses, irrespective of its population. It also maintains the existing provision that allows the town of Smithfield to issue five Class A licenses. The bill clarifies that the transfer of existing licenses does not count as the issuance of new licenses and outlines specific conditions under which new Class B or D licenses can be issued. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
1124: 3-5-16