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SB 3203

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stefano Famiglietti and 2 co-sponsors

SB 3203 expands Rhode Island's Retail Licenses by allowing targeted proximity-based exemptions and authorizes a Class BV license for 1706 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence.

06/11/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
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Bill Summary · SB 3203

Bill Summary: SB 3203 (2026) – Rhode Island Retail Licenses

Introduction
- Bill: SB 3203
- Session: 2026
- Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
- Title: AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES
- Introduced: April 3, 2026
- Sponsors: Senators Famiglietti, Tikoian, and Paolino

Intent and main purpose
- The act primarily expands regulatory flexibility for issuing Retailers' licenses (Class B, C, N, I, and related licenses such as Class 3-7-16.8) by authorizing targeted exemptions from proximity-based restrictions in certain areas.
- A specific, explicit favorable provision is added to allow the issuance of a Class BV license for a particular property: 1706 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence.
- The bill preserves existing protections against liquor licenses being placed uncomfortably close to schools, churches, and places of worship, with several exemptions and special-area provisions described below.

Key provisions and changes
1. Proximity restrictions (3-7-19) – General framework
- Under current law, Retailers' Class B, C, N, and I licenses (and certain licenses under § 3-7-16.8) cannot be issued within:
- 200 feet of the land owned by someone who objects to the license.
- 200 feet of the premises of any public, private, or parochial school or place of public worship.
- East Providence: Class A licenses cannot be issued within 500 feet of a school or place of worship.
- The section also defines “private school” and sets out that the restriction does not apply to prior licenses (issued before Jan 1, 1978) for transfer or to their location predating a school/place of worship.

  1. Local exemptions by jurisdiction (urban planning and zoning carve-outs)

    • The bill enumerates numerous local exemptions (and authorizations to exempt) for various municipalities and districts, to allow certain license types to be located within areas that would otherwise be restricted. These exemptions are granted after an application to the local board of licenses and include a wide list of specific streets, blocks, plats, and parcels across multiple communities (Providence, Newport, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Barrington, Smithfield, Westerly, North Providence, etc.).
    • Examples (illustrative, not exhaustive):
      • Providence: exemptions for multiple parcels and neighborhood areas, including specific plats and street addresses.
      • Newport, Cranston, Pawtucket, Westerly, East Providence, Barrington, Jamestown, Middletown, North Providence, Central Falls, Woonsocket, and others have designated areas where exemptions may be granted.
    • Several exemptions are contingent on various conditions, including tax compliance and, in Cranston’s case, transfer restrictions tied to a Memorandum of Understanding (2003) and related state-use restrictions.

  2. Specific new authorization

    • A new provision authorizes the issuance of a Class BV license for a restaurant-type operation at 1706 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence.

  3. Effective date

    • Section 2: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected
- Retail License applicants seeking Class B, C, N, I, BV, and related license types within Rhode Island.
- Local licensing authorities (city/town boards of licenses) who would administer exemptions.
- Property owners and developers seeking to place licensed alcohol establishments within areas that may be near schools, churches, or other restricted areas.
- The North Providence property at 1706 Mineral Spring Avenue would gain a new Class BV license authorization upon enactment.

Procedural/timeline aspects
- Referred to: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
- Action history indicates passage recommendation and calendar placement in April 2026, with anticipated floor consideration thereafter.
- Effective date: upon passage (no delay).

Overall assessment
- SB 3203 aims to increase licensing flexibility by authorizing numerous jurisdiction-specific exemptions to proximity restrictions and by adding a new Class BV license authorization for a North Providence site. The bill balances expanded licensing opportunities with continued proximity safeguards through local control and enumerated exemptions.

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

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