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H7975 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request.)

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request.)

Small Business
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Speakman, Spears, Boylan
Last action
2026-06-18
Official status
Signed by Governor
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request.)

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request.)

What This Bill Does

  • AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request.)

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Published version

Plain English: H7975A 2026 -- H 7975 SUBSTITUTE A ======== LC005547/SUB A/2 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D.

  • H7975A 2026 -- H 7975 SUBSTITUTE A ======== LC005547/SUB A/2 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D.
  • 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Spears, and Boylan Date Introduced: February 27, 2026 Referred To: House Small Business It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1.
  • Chapter 3-7 of the General Laws entitled "Retail Licenses" is hereby amended 2 by adding thereto the following section: 3 3-7-30.
  • Licensed retailers to provide drink covers upon request.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-18 Governor

    Signed by Governor

  2. 2026-06-16 Governor

    Transmitted to Governor

  3. 2026-06-11 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)

  4. 2026-06-11 Senate

    Senate passed Sub A in concurrence

  5. 2026-06-09 Committee

    Committee recommends passage of Sub A in concurrence

  6. 2026-06-05 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for consideration (06/09/2026)

  7. 2026-05-22 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

  8. 2026-05-19 House

    House passed Sub A

  9. 2026-05-15 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Placed on House Calendar (05/19/2026)

  10. 2026-05-14 Committee

    Committee recommends passage of Sub A

  11. 2026-05-11 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for consideration (05/14/2026)

  12. 2026-05-11 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Proposed Substitute

  13. 2026-03-25 Committee

    Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  14. 2026-03-20 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/25/2026)

  15. 2026-02-27 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Introduced, referred to House Small Business

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES (Requires licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to provide a lid to a consumer upon request.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
H7975A

2026 -- H 7975 SUBSTITUTE A
========
LC005547/SUB A/2
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

Introduced By:
Representatives Speakman, Spears, and Boylan

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Small Business
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Chapter 3-7 of the General Laws entitled "Retail Licenses" is hereby amended
2
by adding thereto the following section:
3

3-7-30. Licensed retailers to provide drink covers upon request.

4

(a) All holders of retail licenses authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to customers for
5
the purpose of onsite consumption shall upon request, provide a lid with a customer’s drink. For
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purposes of this section, “lid” means a removable cover of any size that attaches to the rim of a
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corresponding beverage container. The lid is not required to fit all containers in which alcoholic
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beverages are served on the premises but shall fit at least one.
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(b) The licensee may charge an additional fee for providing a lid with a customer’s drink,
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which shall not exceed a reasonable amount based on the wholesale cost of those lids.
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(c) This section does not prevent a licensee from offering lids to their customers free of
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charge.
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(d) A sole violation of this section shall result in a warning by the department for the first
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offense.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
========
LC005547/SUB A/2
========

EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES
***
1
This act would require licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to
2
provide a lid to a consumer upon request.
3
This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.
========
LC005547/SUB A/2
========

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