It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 3-5-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-5 entitled "Licenses Generally" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 3-5-11. Licensing of chain stores. -- ADD} Licenses, except retailer's Class E {ADD , Class B, Class B-H, Class B-L, Class B-M, and Class B-V ADD} licenses, authorized by this title shall not hereafter be granted, issued or transferred to or for the use of any chain store organization, which term shall mean any chain of retail or wholesale business or business organizations including without limitation grocery stores, markets, department stores, and convenience stores, as well as retailers of alcoholic beverages, and which include chains in which one (1) or more stores are located outside of the state of Rhode Island.

What is a chain store organization is hereby declared to be a question of fact, and the department is empowered to determine finally whether any applicant for the issuance, grant or transfer of a license is acting for or on behalf of a chain store organization or a store unit of a chain store organization thereof.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.