2025 -- S 1139

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- OUTDOOR DINING ACT

     

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: June 06, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24.7 of the General Laws entitled "Outdoor Dining Act" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     45-24.7-5. Temporary outdoor dining services.

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     (a) Any time a building or other structure used as a food service establishment, is rendered

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uninhabitable by virtue of a casualty including, but not limited to, fire or flood, the food service

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establishment may, upon approval of the city or town council, provide temporary outdoor dining

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services for a period of up to eighteen (18) months from the date of approval received from the city

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or town council, or until the building or structure is rehabilitated and otherwise made fit for

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occupancy, as long as the location of the temporary outdoor dining area complies with applicable

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state health and life safety regulations. The temporary outdoor dining service shall be permitted,

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notwithstanding any municipal ordinance, including zoning or planning regulations to the contrary,

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and if the municipality has issued a liquor license for the food service establishment, the license

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may be used in conjunction with the temporary outdoor dining service.

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     (b) Unless extended by the general assembly, the provisions of this section shall sunset and

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expire on June 30, 2027.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- OUTDOOR DINING ACT

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     This act would allow a food service establishment to provide temporary outdoor dining

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services any time a building or other structure used as a food service establishment is rendered

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uninhabitable by virtue of a casualty including, but not limited, to fire or flood for eighteen (18)

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months or the building is fit for occupancy. The act would sunset and expire on June 30, 2027.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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