Introduced By: Senator Bates
Date Introduced : January 27, 1998
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Sections 3-8-7, 3-8-8, and 3-8-8.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-8 entitled "Regulation of Sales" are hereby repealed.
{DEL3-8-7. Advertising price of malt beverages, cordials,
wine or distilled liquor. -- DEL} {DELNo manufacturer, wholesaler,
or shipper from without this state and no holder of a license
issued under the provisions of this title and chapter shall cause
or permit the advertising in any manner whatsoever of the price
of any malt beverage, cordials, wine or distilled liquor offered
for sale in this state; provided, however, that the provisions
of this section shall not apply to price signs or tags attached
to or placed on merchandise for sale within the licensed premises
in accordance with rules and regulations of the department. DEL}
{DEL3-8-8. Rules for enforcement of section 3-8-7 --
Suspension of license for violation of section 3-8-7. -- DEL}
{DELThe department is hereby authorized to promulgate rules which
will enforce the provisions of section 3-8-7 and he shall have
the power to suspend the license of any license-holder in violation
thereof. DEL}
{DEL3-8-8.1. Price advertising by media or advertising
companies unlawful. -- DEL} {DELNo newspaper, periodical, radio
or television broadcaster or broadcasting company or any other
person, firm or corporation with a principal place of business
in the state of Rhode Island which is engaged in the business
of advertising or selling advertising time or space shall accept,
publish, or broadcast any advertisement in this state of the price
or make reference to the price of any alcoholic beverages. Any
person who shall violate any of the provisions of this section
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished for the
first offense by a fine in the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) and
for each additional offense thereafter by a fine not exceeding
the sum of one hundred dollars ($100). Publication or broadcast
by any person in violation of the provisions of this section shall
also be subject to injunctive proceedings in a court of competent
jurisdiction on a complaint brought by a retail licensee, or an
association of retail licensees. DEL}
{DEL The provisions of this section shall not apply to any
trade journal which is duly recognized and authorized to be exempt
from the provisions of this section by the department. DEL}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.