2021 -- H 6119 SUBSTITUTE A

========

LC002362/SUB A/4

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SMALL BUSINESSES--ZONING ORDINANCES

     Introduced By: Representatives McEntee, Costantino, Caldwell, Cortvriend, Phillips,
Carson, Cassar, Giraldo, Casimiro, and Slater

     Date Introduced: March 11, 2021

     Referred To: House Small Business

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

     45-24-46.5. Special provisions -- Emergency declaration modifications.

     (a) A moratorium is hereby imposed on the enforcement of any municipal ordinance or

zoning regulation that would penalize any food business or food service establishment, as defined

in § 21-27-1, or bar as defined in § 23-20.10-2, that has made alterations or modifications to its

business in order to comply with any directives, executive orders or restrictions issued by the

governor, principal executive officer of a political subdivision or the director of the department of

health based upon an emergency declaration issued pursuant to §§ 30-15-9 or 30-15-13.

     (b) The moratorium imposed pursuant to this section shall continue throughout the

emergency declaration and shall remain effective for a period of six (6) months after the emergency

declaration has been rescinded or until January 1, 2022, whichever occurs first. During this period,

all approved nonconforming uses adopted to comply with the emergency declaration shall be

permitted to continue.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC002362/SUB A/4

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SMALL BUSINESSES--ZONING ORDINANCES

***

     This act would impose a moratorium on the enforcement of any municipal ordinance or

zoning requirement that would penalize owners of food service establishments and bars for any

modifications or alternations to their premises in response to an emergency declaration by the

governor or local municipal officials. The moratorium shall be effective during the period of

emergency and for six (6) months after the emergency declaration is rescinded or until January 1,

2022, whichever occurs first.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC002362/SUB A/4

========

LC002362/SUB A/4 - Page 2 of 2