This bill amends Section 3-7-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-7 entitled "Retail Licenses". The amendment adds new language that allows for objections by adjoining property owners and proximity to schools and churches when issuing certain retail licenses. It specifies that certain licenses cannot be issued for the sale of beverages in buildings within 200 feet of any point of the building where the owner of the greater part of the land files an objection, or within 200 feet of any public, private, or parochial school or place of public worship. In the city of East Providence, retailer's Class A licenses cannot be issued for buildings within 500 feet of any public, private, or parochial school or place of public worship. The amendment also provides exemptions for certain license holders and for the transfer of licenses in certain circumstances.

Additionally, the bill grants the board of licenses of the city of Providence, Newport, Warren, and Bristol the authority to exempt certain proposed retailer licenses from the provisions of this section. The bill provides specific descriptions of the areas within each city that are eligible for exemption.

This bill amends current law to allow certain boards of licenses in various cities and towns in Rhode Island to exempt certain proposed retailer Class B licenses from certain provisions of the law. The exemptions would apply to specific locations and would require an application to be submitted. The bill specifies the locations and the boards of licenses that would have the authority to grant the exemptions. The exemptions would only be effective if the proposed license and the underlying property owner are current in the payment of local and state taxes.

This bill includes a series of exemptions to the provisions of a certain section of the law. The exemptions allow certain proposed retailers to be exempt from the requirements of the section. The exemptions are granted by various boards and councils in different cities and towns, and are based on the location of the proposed retailer's Class B, BV, C, I, BL, or BX license. The exemptions specify the plat, lot, map, and assessment map on which the proposed retailer's license is intended to be located. The exemptions are granted after application and give the boards and councils the authority to exempt the proposed retailers from the provisions of the section.

This bill grants the board of licenses in the town of Bristol the authority to exempt any proposed retailer Class B or Class BV licenses intended to be located at 499 Hope Street from the requirement that the premises be at least 200 feet away from schools or places of worship. This exemption would be granted after application. The bill would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
1018: 3-7-19