A number of bills concerning alcohol are going before the Rhode Island Legislature this 2013 session. Here is a brief rundown of proposals as of press time that could impact the Ocean’s state’s beverage industry.

House Bill No. 5031
BY  Serpa, Tomasso, Nunes, Silva, Fellela
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – TAXATION OF BEVERAGES (would repeal the provision of the law that requires each licensee authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to file an annual report with the division of taxation, detailing sales information and tax collections on such sales)

House Bill No. 5084
BY  Silva, Serpa
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — RETAIL LICENSES (would permit the extension of Class C retail alcoholic beverage sales licenses operating hours upon application to the local licensing board)

House Bill No. 5291
BY  Hearn, Slater, DeSimone, O’Brien, Williams
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – RETAIL LICENSES (would prohibit any person under twenty-one (21) years of age from a nightclub where alcoholic beverages are served)

Senate Bill No. 25  SUB A
BY  Raptakis, Miller, McCaffrey, Algiere, Lynch
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – TAXATION OF BEVERAGES (would repeal the provision of the law that requires each licensee authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to file an annual report with the division of taxation, detailing sales information and tax collections on such sales.)

Senate Bill No. 232
BY  Doyle, Nesselbush, DiPalma, Pearson
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES (would establish a microbrewery manufacturer’s license authorizing the holder to establish and operate a microbrewery within the state.)

Senate Bill No. 236
BY  DiPalma, Paiva Weed, Algiere, Lynch, Ruggerio
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE LICENSES (would permit holders of manufacturer’s licenses to provide visitors to the licensed plant samples for off-premise consumption.)

Senate Bill No. 237
BY  Jabour, Nesselbush, Lombardo, Ciccone, Lombardi
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES – SAMPLE TASTINGS (would expand the alcoholic beverages that may be used for sample tastings to include liqueurs, cordials and alcohol.)

House Bill No. 5151
BY  Gallison, Azzinaro, Edwards, Serpa, Marshall
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES — RETAIL, MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE LICENSES (make unlawful for manufacturer/wholesaler/retailer of alcoholic beverages to lend/borrow money, directly/indirectly, to or from another/place restrictions upon the extensions of credit to the usual course of business for a period not more than 60 days)

A complete list of introduced bills is available on the Rhode Island General Assembly’s website. Each bill can be tracked by number.