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SB 2626

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SANITATION IN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Burke and 5 co-sponsors

Establishes annual food-business registration with a $50 per-location fee funding hospitality training and multilingual safety programs via the Labor & Training Dept.

04/15/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2626

Summary of Bill: SB 2626 (Rhode Island, 2026 Session)

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SANITATION IN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

Intro/Status
- Introduced: February 13, 2026
- Sponsors: Senators Gallo, Tikoian, Ciccone, DiPalma, Burke, LaMountain
- Referred to: Senate Labor & Gaming
- Latest action: Committee recommended measure be held for further study (April 15, 2026)
- Effective date: January 1, 2027 (Section 3)

Purpose and Intent
- Establish a streamlined registration framework for food businesses operating in Rhode Island.
- Create a new restricted-receipt funding source to support hospitality industry workforce training, including multilingual certified food and alcohol safety training.
- Reinvest registration revenues into workforce training through the Department of Labor and Training (DLT), to support hospitality workers.

Key Provisions and Changes

1) Registration of Food Businesses (amending Rhode Island General Laws § 21-27-10)
- Annual Registration: All food businesses must register with the state Director of Health.
- Exemptions: nonprofit organizations, hospitals, public institutions, farmers markets, roadside stands, and municipalities are exempt from registration fees.
- License Fee Exemption: Establishments with a Class C liquor license (per § 3-7-8) that comply with license limits are exempt from license fees.
- Renewal Dates: The Department of Health (DOH) sets a unified 12-month renewal period to consolidate multiple activities into a single renewal.
- Fees: Renewal registrations are at the full annual rate, regardless of renewal date. First-time applications are prorated based on issuance date. If renewal dates shift, DOH may adjust fees (not to exceed the annual fee) to reflect changes.
- Posting: Registrations/licenses must be posted visibly for DOH staff.
- Compliance Basis: Registration is conditioned on satisfactory compliance with applicable DOH laws/regulations.
- DOH Regulation: DOH authorized to adopt regulations for implementation.

2) Classification of Registrations (Subsection (e))
- Classification categories cover:
- In-state/out-of-state food processors (Wholesale)
- Food processors (Retail)
- Food service establishments (subdivided by seating capacity, mobile units, industrial caterers/food vending, cultural heritage educational facility)
- Vending machine sites (based on number of machines)
- Retail markets (based on number of cash registers)
- Retail food peddler (meat, seafood, dairy, frozen desserts)
- Food warehouses

3) Fee Structure and Single-fee Principle (Subsection (f) and (g))
- If a business has multiple eligible activities at a single location, only the highest classified activity incurs a fee (per location). Multiple activities located within the same building under one management may be registered under a single fee. Each activity, however, must be separately registered.

4) Additional Fee for Hospitality Training (Subsection (h))
- An annual additional $50 fee per year charged to food service establishments.
- Purpose: The $50 collected goes to the Department of Labor and Training and is deposited into the Hospitality Training Restricted Receipt Account.
- Use of Funds: Funds to be used for hospitality industry workforce training grants and multilingual certified food and alcohol safety training programs, subject to appropriation. The account is exempt from indirect cost recovery provisions.

5) Indirect Cost Recoveries and Restricted Accounts (Section 2)
- Modifies 35-4-27 to require a 15% indirect cost recovery on cash receipts from restricted accounts, with several exceptions and a long list of restricted accounts that are not subject to these recoveries.
- The section enumerates numerous restricted accounts that are exempt from the transfer to general revenues.

6) Effective Date (Section 3)
- The act takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Food businesses and establishments, including:
    • Restaurants, caterers, vending operations, food trucks (mobile units), retail food centers, warehouses, and various processor types.
  • DOH and DLT:
    • Department of Health would manage registrations, renewal dates, and compliance.
    • Department of Labor and Training would administer hospitality training grants funded by the new $50 annual fee.
  • Indirectly, non-profit organizations, hospitals, public institutions, farmers markets, roadside stands, and municipalities could have fee exemptions.

Potential Impact

  • Administrative streamlined registration process with a unified renewal cycle.
  • Introduction of a dedicated funding stream for workforce development in the hospitality sector, potentially improving multilingual and safety training for food service workers.
  • Possible price implications for food-service establishments due to the new $50 annual training fund fee, offset by exemptions where applicable.
  • Fiscal considerations include the redirected indirect cost recoveries from restricted accounts, with broad carve-outs.

Notes

  • The bill sets up a restricted-receipt account specifically for hospitality training grants, contingent on annual fee revenue and appropriation.
  • The measure currently is under review by the Senate committee for further study.

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

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