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 limiting Class C licenses to one for every 1,000 inhabitants and Class A licenses to one for every 6,000 inhabitants (or one for every 4,000 in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents). The bill also allows for the issuance of two Class A licenses in every city or town, regardless of population, and stipulates that one Class A license may be issued unless the local council decides otherwise. Additionally, it clarifies that the transfer of existing licenses does not count as the issuance of new licenses.

Notably, the bill includes new provisions that specifically authorize the town of Scituate to issue a total of three Class A liquor licenses, irrespective of its population, and maintains the existing provision that allows the town of Smithfield to issue five Class A licenses. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
1124: 3-5-16