H 8009

2026 -- H 8009 SUBSTITUTE A
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  STATE  OF        RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  AN ACT
  RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- TEMPORARY EXTENDED SERVICE
  HOURS
  Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Alzate, Voas, and Cruz
  Date Introduced: February 27, 2026
  Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1SECTION 1. Title 3 of the General Laws entitled "ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES" is hereby
2 amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
3CHAPTER 7.1
4TEMPORARY EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS
53-7.1-1. Authorization of temporary extended service hours.
6(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, any person or
7 establishment possessing the qualifications and meeting the requirements of this title that is licensed
8 to sell intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on premises in any city or town in
9 this state may, for the periods authorized in § 3-7.1-2, apply to their licensing authority at least
10 fourteen (14) days in advance to:
11(1) Operate beyond its normal closing time and until up to four o’clock (4:00) a.m.; and
12(2) To sell, serve and allow for the consumption of alcoholic beverages beyond its normal
13 cut off time and until up to three o’clock (3:00) a.m.
14(b) This temporary extension of service hours shall apply only to indoor areas at licensed
15 establishments, and shall not be applicable to any special permits issued by a licensing authority
16 unless explicitly granted by that body.
17(c) The provisions of this title relating to hours of operation, time of closing or opening, or
18 hours of sale of intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on the premises shall not
1 apply to such licenses approved for any temporary extension period, except as provided in § 3-7.1-
2 3.
33-7.1-2. Periods authorized for temporary extension of service hours.
4The provisions of this chapter are authorized only for the dates enumerated herein and for
5 the express purpose of offering public watch opportunities for 2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament
6 matches beginning on any of the following dates and continuing through the authorized period
7 granted by the local licensing authority in the morning of the succeeding day in calendar year 2026:
8 June 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27; July 2, and 3.
93-7.1-3. Municipal authorization-Procedures.
10(a) A licensing authority may authorize or reject in full or in part for any reason an
11 application by a licensee for the extended operation and service hours or areas provided under this
12 chapter within their jurisdiction.
13(b) Licensees shall not be required to submit any application fee for the purposes of the
14 temporary extensions granted under this chapter.
15SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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  EXPLANATION
  BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
  OF
  AN ACT
   RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- TEMPORARY EXTENDED SERVICE
  HOURS
  ***
1This act would allow, but not require, local licensing authorities to grant temporary periods
2 for extended indoor service hours under existing liquor licenses for certain 2026 FIFA World Cup
3 Tournament matches occurring between June 11, 2026 and July 3, 2026, for operation until up to
4 4 a.m. with liquor service until up to 3 a.m.
5This act would take effect upon passage.
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