Rhode Island alcohol laws

What it would do: Amends Rhode Island alcoholic beverage and motor vehicle laws to prohibit holding multiple valid driver's licenses or identification cards simultaneously, requires surrender of all prior licenses when obtaining a new one, and changes salvage vehicle title designation from 'reconstructed salvage' to 'rebuilt salvage.'

What it would do: Amends the maximum number of Class A liquor licenses allowed in Rhode Island by authorizing the town of Scituate to issue a total of three Class A liquor licenses irrespective of population.

What it would do: Amends Rhode Island alcoholic beverage and motor vehicle laws to prohibit holding multiple driver's licenses or identification cards simultaneously, requires surrender of all valid licenses when obtaining a new one, and changes salvage vehicle title designation from 're-constructed salvage' to 'rebuilt salvage.'

What it would do: Creates the Rhode Island Hemp THC Beverage Act, establishing a regulatory framework for manufacturing, distributing, and selling THC-infused beverages containing no more than 5 milligrams of hemp-derived THC per container through licensed retailers, wholesalers, and on-premise servers, effective August 1, 2026.

What it would do: Prohibits persons under 21 from operating motor vehicles with alcoholic beverages unless accompanied by a related adult 21 or older, with exceptions for employment. Establishes penalties of fines up to $950 and license suspension up to one year.

What it would do: Allows brewery manufacturers to self-distribute malt beverages directly to Rhode Island retailers without a licensed wholesaler, unless they self-distribute 5,000+ barrels or produce 8,000+ barrels annually, then must use a wholesaler. Permits breweries one additional retail location for on and off-premises consumption.

What it would do: Amends Class P caterer license rules to allow purchase of alcoholic beverages from retail or wholesale establishments in Rhode Island, permit wholesalers to set minimum order quantities or values, and allow caterers to serve host-provided alcohol at residences if under caterer control throughout the event.

What it would do: Amends the Class P caterer license to add a distillery off-premises event endorsement allowing licensed distillery manufacturers to sell and serve their own distilled spirits at designated events using mobile bars, subject to department rules on permits, insurance, training, and municipal procedures.

What it would do: Amends the maximum number of Class A liquor licenses the town of Scituate may issue from its population-based limit to a total of three, irrespective of population. Takes effect upon passage.

What it would do: Adds an exemption from sales tax for alcoholic beverages sold by Class A licensees, excluding beer and malt beverages, and exempts such sales from minimum markup requirements. Takes effect July 1, 2025.

What it would do: Requires applicants for retail alcoholic beverage licenses in Burrillville, North Providence, and Westerly to file certificates of insurance with minimum commercial general-liability and property-damage coverage of $300,000, or amounts set by ordinance, naming the respective town as additional insured.

What it would do: Amends Rhode Island sales and use tax law to add comprehensive definitions for taxable and exempt products, including alcoholic beverages, bundled transactions, food items, drugs, and telecommunications services. Exempts beer and malt beverages from sales and use tax.

What it would do: Amends the manufacturer's license for breweries, distilleries, and wineries to authorize sale of up to one one-sixth barrel keg of malt beverage produced on premises per visitor per day for off-premises consumption, in addition to existing retail sales and sampling limits.

What it would do: Establishes licensing and endorsement requirements for selling hemp-derived THC-infused beverages through licensed liquor retailers, cannabis retailers, and wholesalers, with dosage limits of 5 mg per serving and 10 mg per container, and prohibits sales to persons under 21 years of age.

What it would do: Creates a 13-member special joint legislative commission to evaluate and recommend changes to Rhode Island's laws governing alcoholic beverages and recreational cannabis, with a report due by January 7, 2026 and commission expiration on March 7, 2026.

What it would do: Amends Class P caterer license rules to allow purchase of alcoholic beverages from retail or wholesale establishments in Rhode Island, permit wholesalers to set minimum order quantities or values, and allow caterers to serve host-provided alcohol at residences if under caterer control.

What it would do: Repeals Section 3-7-19 of the General Laws, which prohibited retail alcoholic beverage licenses within 200 feet of schools and places of worship, and eliminated various local exemptions to that prohibition.