2026 -- H 7975 SUBSTITUTE A

========

LC005547/SUB A/2

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Spears, and Boylan

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Small Business

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 3-7 of the General Laws entitled "Retail Licenses" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following section:

     3-7-30. Licensed retailers to provide drink covers upon request.

     (a) All holders of retail licenses authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to customers for

the purpose of onsite consumption shall upon request, provide a lid with a customer’s drink. For

purposes of this section, “lid” means a removable cover of any size that attaches to the rim of a

corresponding beverage container. The lid is not required to fit all containers in which alcoholic

beverages are served on the premises but shall fit at least one.

     (b) The licensee may charge an additional fee for providing a lid with a customer’s drink,

which shall not exceed a reasonable amount based on the wholesale cost of those lids.

     (c) This section does not prevent a licensee from offering lids to their customers free of

charge.

     (d) A sole violation of this section shall result in a warning by the department for the first

offense.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

========

LC005547/SUB A/2

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

***

     This act would require licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to

provide a lid to a consumer upon request.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

========

LC005547/SUB A/2

========

LC005547/SUB A/2 - Page 2 of 2