By Lauren Daley 

Rhode Island State House

The Rhode Island Beverage Journal followed a number of House and Senate industry-related bills. As of June 5, the list below summarizes industry-impacting legislation.

House Bill 5253

Passed the House and Senate and is effective without Governor’s signature as of May 8. This act amends Section 3-5-16 of the General Laws to remove the prohibition of the town of Barrington from issuing Class A licenses.

House Bill 5178

This act was held for further study. It would permit Class A liquor retail license holders to elect on four (4) occasions annually to serve unlimited samples of wine products that are available for purchase from the licensee’s outlet. This act would take effect upon passage. Introduced by Representatives Carnevale, Hull, O’Brien, McKiernan and Almeida on Jan. 21. Referred to House Corporations Committee.

Senate Bill 0047

This act was held for further study. It would prohibit the use of direct cash assistance funds held on Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets, tobacco products and certain other products and services, and would further provide for penalties for violations of the act. This act would take effect upon passage and was introduced by Senators DiPalma, DaPonte, Pearson, Ciccone and Ottiano on Jan. 13. Referred to Senate Finance Committee.

House Bill 5018

As of June 2, the Committee recommends passage of this bill as amended. This act would prohibit a recipient of direct cash assistance on electronic benefit cards from utilizing that benefit card at liquor stores, casino gaming facilities, tattoo parlors, firearm dealers and various other adult entertainment establishments, and would establish penalties for violations by recipients. It would also prohibit store owners from accepting the benefit card for the purchase of the above items and provides for penalties for violations, and would create a new criminal offense deeming such offenses as “fraud against the department of human services.” This act would take effect upon passage. It was introduced by Representatives Corvese, Melo, Edwards, Azzinaro and Malik on Jan. 8 and referred to the House
Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 5250

The Committee recommends this measure be held for further study. This act would prohibit eligible recipients of direct cash assistance from using direct cash assistance funds for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets, or tobacco products. It further requires eligible recipients of direct cash assistance who make a purchase in violation of this act to reimburse the department for such purchases and would take effect upon passage. Introduced by Representatives Morgan, Reilly, Giarrusso, Nardolillo and Roberts on Jan. 29. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 0139

The Committee recommends this bill be held for further study. This act would permit Class A liquor retail license holders to elect on four (4) occasions annually to serve unlimited samples of wine products that are available for purchase from the licensee’s outlet, to take effect upon passage. Introduced by Senators Jabour, Lombardi, McCaffrey, Doyle and Crowley on Jan. 22 and referred to the Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs.

House Bill 5081

The Committee recommends this bill held for further study. The act would create a Wine Direct Shipper License for licensed producers in this or any state to directly ship a limited amount of wine to residents age 21 or older for personal consumption with oversight by the department of business regulation and/or the division of taxation. Violations would be punishable as a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,500 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to one year. This act would take effect upon passage. The act was introduced by Representatives Newberry, Reilly, Edwards and Chippendale on Jan. 14 and referred to the House Corporations Committee.

House Bill 5189

Committee recommends passage. This act would make the possession or sale of powdered alcohol a crime punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment, and would take effect upon passage. It was introduced by Representatives Carson, McNamara, Fogarty, Bennett and Ackerman on Jan. 21 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee

Senate Bill 0120

This act would prohibit the use of direct cash assistance funds held on Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets, tobacco products and certain other products and services, and would further provide for penalties for violations of the act. This act would take effect upon passage and was introduced by Senators Kettle, Cote, Morgan, Algiere and Ottiano on Jan. 22 and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

For more information and full text of bills, visit www.rilin.state.ri.us/Pages/Default.aspx