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SB 2630

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Burke and 4 co-sponsors

The bill removes a statewide 200-foot proximity ban for certain alcohol licenses and gives local boards expanded authority to grant exemptions in predefined areas.

04/29/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2630

Summary of Bill SB 2630 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill repeals existing statutory restrictions that limit the issuance of Retailers' Class B, C, N, and I licenses (and certain licenses referenced in § 3-7-16.8) based on proximity to schools and places of worship.
  • In short, it removes the statewide prohibition on issuing certain alcohol licenses within 200 feet of schools or houses of worship, and it does not replace the prohibition with a universal alternative; instead, it shifts the framework to allow local exemptions in specific circumstances (see section on exemptions).

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Repeal of Section 3-7-19 (proximity objections)
    • Current law: Retailers' Class B, C, N, I licenses cannot be issued within 200 feet of the landowner’s property boundary if the landowner objects, and cannot be located within 200 feet of schools or places of worship. In East Providence, Class A licenses have an additional 500-foot proximity restriction.
    • The bill repeals these proximity- and objection-based restrictions.
  • Local exemption authorities retained and expanded
    • The bill preserves and extensively enumerates local exemptions by city/town boards of licenses (and in some cases city councils or town councils) to authorize licenses within previously restricted areas, subject to application.
    • A long list of specific geographic areas within multiple municipalities is identified where local boards may grant exemptions from the former proximity restrictions. Examples include exemptions in:
    • Providence (multiple areas, including various streets and parcels)
    • Newport, Warren, Bristol, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Barrington, Barrington, Tiverton, Wickenden areas, and others
    • Additional exemptions for areas in North Providence, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Jamestown, Middletown, South Kingstown, Westerly, Central Falls, Barrington, etc.
    • Some exemptions come with conditions (e.g., transfer restrictions, tax payment compliance, adherence to municipal memoranda or applicable state law).
    • Some exemptions are tailored to specific license types (e.g., Class B, Class BV, Class BL, Class BX, Class N, Class P) and to particular parcels or zones (e.g., Downtown Overlay Districts, sidewalk cafes, restaurant licenses).
  • Special note on pre-existing licenses
    • Certain exemptions explicitly acknowledge existing licenses and may affect transfers or reversion when exemptions are granted.
  • Effect on timing
    • Section 2 states the act takes effect upon passage.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Retail alcohol license applicants seeking to locate in areas previously restricted by proximity to schools or places of worship.
  • Local boards of licenses (city/town) that would have expanded authority to grant exemptions in the listed areas.
  • License holders and transferees in areas subject to exemptions (with conditions noted in exemptions).
  • Municipalities and developers seeking to establish or relocate licensed beverage establishments in urban zones, waterfronts, or downtown districts.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The act is a repeal of a prior statute and would take effect immediately upon passage.
  • Local boards must apply the exemption criteria when evaluating applications in the enumerated areas.
  • The act does not establish a uniform statewide prohibition but rather defers to local governance to decide on exemptions in specified locales.

Practical Impact

  • The bill broadens where Retailers' licenses can be issued by removing a blanket 200-foot proximity ban and allowing local flexibility.
  • It could increase the number of eligible license locations in urban and mixed-use areas, potentially promoting new licenses near schools or churches, provided a local board grants an exemption.
  • Communities retain the ability to condition or restrict exemptions to align with local planning, zoning, taxation, and public safety considerations.

Notes

  • Introduced February 13, 2026, and referred to the Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs committee.
  • Action history shows the committee recommended the measure be held for further study (April 29, 2026).

If you’d like, I can provide a district-by-district mapping of the listed exemption areas or prepare a side-by-side comparison with the current law to illustrate specific changes.

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

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