Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau.
STATE HOUSE – The Senate approved legislation allowing Class B liquor license holders and brewpubs to sell beer, wine and mixed drinks with take-out food order through March 1, 2022.
The restaurant and hospitality industry has been battered by the economic effects of the pandemic, and is now facing another struggle in the shape of an employee shortage. We need this industry — which includes so many treasured small businesses that make Rhode Island the special place that is — to survive the pandemic. This simple extension of take-out drinks will help them stay afloat, bring in a little more revenue, and keep paying their employees and supporting our economy,” said Senator Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick), the bill’s sponsor.
Class B license holders include any business where the principal business is the furnishing of food and sleeping accommodations and any shop or place where a substantial part of the business is the furnishing of food for consumption at the place where it is furnished.
The legislation (2021-S 0555Aaa) will allow Class B license holders and brewpubs to sell up to two bottles of wine, 72 ounces of a mixed-wine drink, 144 ounces of beer, and mixed drinks with no more than nine ounces of distilled spirits. All drinks must be sold in factory-sealed containers or containers sealed in such a way as to prevent re-opening without obvious evidence that the seal was removed or broken.
The bill applies only to take-out orders, not delivery. It would take effect upon passage and would sunset on March 1, 2022.
The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives, which passed similar legislation (2021-H 5105A) sponsored by Rep. Jacquelyn M. Baginski (D-Dist. 17, Cranston) on March 4.
Author: Warwick Post Staff
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