Sen. Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) has introduced legislation to assist and strengthen the state’s hospitality industry, which has borne the brunt of economic loss during the COVID pandemic.

The first bill (2022-S 2134) would allow restaurants to continue approved outdoor dining during the pandemic. It would extend a moratorium on the enforcement of any municipal ordinance or zoning requirement that would penalize owners of food service establishments and bars for any modifications or alternations to their premises in response to an emergency declaration by the governor or local municipal officials. 

“This bill is essential to our restaurants and bars who are still struggling to recover from the effects of the pandemic,” said Senator DiMario. “The legislation will also allow these establishments to apply to make these successful and popular changes permanent, such as the outdoor dining areas and takeout windows. Municipalities have given the feedback that they have not had enough time to get temporary zoning changes through their appropriate channels to make them permanent and that this extension is welcome.” 

The moratorium would be effective until April 1, 2023. 

The second bill (2022-S 2139) would allow happy hour drink specials served in conjunction with food prepared on the premises sufficient to constitute breakfast, lunch or dinner, excluding snacks.
“These bills are about helping small businesses in our hospitality industry have more flexibility and tools to use to help sustain them through the pandemic and beyond, and also to help employees to increase their take-home pay with increased options to bring in customers,” said Senator DiMario. “In addition, it allows people to have more options to connect and gather as we continue to navigate the pandemic conditions."