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HB 8435

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Azzinaro and 1 co-sponsor

The bill lets local boards exempt certain proposed liquor licenses from proximity restrictions in designated Providence areas and other towns, increasing local placement flexibilit

06/26/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
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Bill Summary · HB 8435

Summary of HB 8435 (Rhode Island, 2026 Session)

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — RETAIL LICENSES

Date introduced: April 10, 2026
Committee: House Municipal Government & Housing
Sponsors: Reps. Azzinaro and Kennedy

Effective date: Upon passage

Purpose and intent
- The bill makes targeted changes to Rhode Island’s retail alcohol licensing framework, specifically expanding the ability of certain municipalities to exempt proposed license locations from existing proximity-based restrictions. The overarching aim is to enable more flexible placement of Retailers’ licenses (Class B, C, N, I, and related licenses) in designated areas under local control.

Key provisions and changes
1. Proximity-based restrictions (existing framework)
- Under current law, Retailers’ Class B, C, N, and I licenses (and certain licenses referenced in § 3-7-16.8) cannot be issued if the premises are within 200 feet of:
- The landowner of the greater part of land within 200 feet who objects to the license
- A public, private, or parochial school
- A place of public worship
- In East Providence, Class A licenses are prohibited within 500 feet of a school or place of worship.

  1. Private schools

    • Definition of “private school” clarified as nonpublic K-12 institutions recognized by DESE or the local school committee.

  2. Grandfathering

    • The restrictions do not apply to:
      • Class B or C licenses issued prior to January 1, 1978
      • Transfers of such licenses where the location predates the school or place of worship

  3. Providence-specific exemptions (local control)

    • The bill adds a broad set of local exemptions in multiple Providence-defined areas. After application, the local board of licenses may exempt a proposed retailer Class B, C, or I license from proximity restrictions if the license location falls within a long list of described areas. The exemptions are geographically specific and numerous, covering many blocks, neighborhoods, and parcels within Providence (with coordinates and map references provided throughout the text).

  4. Additional local exemptions in other municipalities

    • The act includes similar discretionary exemption authorities for other Rhode Island towns and cities (e.g., Newport, Warren, Bristol, Cranston, Pawtucket, Tiverton, Jamestown, Barrington, North Providence, Central Falls, Westerly, East Providence, Woonsocket, Lincoln, etc.), allowing their respective boards or councils to authorize exemptions for particular locations from the proximity requirements.

  5. Westerly – a specific addition

    • The explanatory note highlights a specific potential outcome: the act would allow for the issuance of a Class B license for the property at 102 Granite Street, Westerly, RI.

  6. Administrative and procedural notes

    • The act requires application to the local board of licenses for exemptions to be considered.
    • It does not create new license categories or adjust statewide license quotas; rather, it expands local discretionary exemptions to proximity restrictions for listed license classes and locations.

Who would be affected
- Retail license holders and prospective licensees seeking to locate near schools, churches, or other restricted zones in Providence and other municipalities.
- Local licensing authorities (city/town boards of licenses) empowered to grant exemptions.
- Property owners and developers seeking to locate alcohol-serving establishments in targeted areas.
- Private schools (indirectly) and places of worship in terms of potential changes to licensing proximity considerations.

Significant procedural or timeline aspects
- The act takes effect upon passage.
- It requires local applications and approval by the relevant board of licenses in each jurisdiction listed for an exemption.
- Committee recommendation status: “held for further study” as of the latest action.

Overall impact
- This bill substantially increases local flexibility by enabling designated municipalities to exempt specific proposed liquor-license locations from proximity constraints, potentially facilitating new retailers near schools or houses of worship in those areas where exemptions are granted. The measure is highly location-specific, with an extensive list of carve-outs for various municipalities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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