2024 -- S 2698

========

LC005013

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Cano, Lawson, Tikoian, and LaMountain

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 3-7-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-7 entitled "Retail Licenses"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     3-7-4.1. Holders of retail Class A licenses permitted to conduct wine, beer, and

distilled spirit samplings inside licensed premises.

     Any holder of a Class A retail license shall be permitted to conduct at no charge to the

consumer, inside the premises of the licensee, sample tastings of wine (under 13% alcohol by

volume), beer (under 5.5% alcohol by volume), and distilled spirits available for purchase from the

licensee’s outlet. These samples shall not exceed one-ounce servings of each wine, the number of

wines being limited to no more than four (4) products at any one tasting; and one-ounce servings

of each beer, with the number of beer samplings being limited to two (2) products at any one tasting;

and one-quarter-ounce servings (¼ oz.) of each distilled spirit, the number of distilled spirits being

limited to no more than two (2) products at any one tasting. Furthermore, wine, beer, and distilled

spirits samplings may not be conducted simultaneously on the same Class A licensed premise. Each

consumer shall be limited to no more than one sample tasting of each product. The licensee may

elect, once during the month of March, once during the month of August, and once during the

month of November only, to serve unlimited samples of wine products available for purchase from

the licensee’s outlet.

     It shall be required that the licensee provide, at no charge to the consumer, food samplings

to be included with the tasting of all wine and beer. Those food samplings not consumed during the

tasting shall not thereafter be offered for sale.

     The licensee shall control, without wholesaler or supplier participation, the dispensing of

all samples to prospective customers. The licensee may not hold more than ten (10) tasting events

in any thirty-day (30) period. It shall be required that the licensee provide to the dispenser(s) of

said wine and beer samples, training in the service of alcoholic beverages by a recognized training

provider of alcoholic beverage service.

     Sampling events may not be promoted except on the licensed premises. It shall be unlawful

for any wholesaler, manufacturer, supplier, or any other person or entity to participate or provide

anything or any service of value on account of or in conjunction with any such sampling. It shall

be unlawful for any tasting, or combination of tastings, to exceed more than four (4) hours from

start to finish and must be conducted during the normal hours of business.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005013

========

LC005013 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

***

     This act would add the month of August to the dates a Class A retail alcoholic beverage

establishment can offer unlimited free samples of wine, beer and distilled spirits products.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005013

========

LC005013 - Page 3 of 3