Authorizes the town of Scituate to issue a total of three (3) Class A liquor licenses.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would give the town of Scituate, Rhode Island, the legal authority to issue up to three Class A liquor licenses. In Rhode Island, Class A liquor licenses allow a business to sell sealed, packaged alcoholic beverages — like bottles of wine, beer, or spirits — for customers to take home and consume off the premises. This is the type of license typically held by liquor stores or package stores.

Currently, the number of liquor licenses a town can issue is regulated by state law, and municipalities need specific state authorization to expand that number. This bill would increase Scituate's allowance to a total of three Class A licenses, meaning that if the town currently has fewer than three, it could approve additional ones going forward. The town itself would still control who actually receives a license through its local licensing process.

This bill would primarily affect Scituate residents and anyone interested in opening or operating a package store in the town. It could make it easier for new retail alcohol businesses to establish themselves there. The bill was recently introduced and referred to the House Municipal Government & Housing Committee, which has recommended it be held for further study, meaning it has not yet moved forward in the legislative process.