Lawmakers, municipal officials and retailers spar over returning liquor‑license control to cities and towns

House and Senate bills that would give cities and towns more authority to grant liquor licenses drew competing testimony at a joint hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Proponents, including municipal officials and the Massachusetts Municipal Association, told the committee the current quota and home‑rule petition system is slow and blocks local economic development. "H 437 and S 279 would simplify existing processes and provide more ability to grant additional liquor licenses back at the local level," Ally Dimatayo, legislative analyst with the Massachusetts Municipal Association, told the committee. Christopher Senior, town manager of Cohasset, described a local restaurant scene he said has outgrown the town's existing licenses: "Every one of our 14 on premises all alcohol licenses have been issued," Senior said, and Cohasset reported more than $350,000 in local option meals tax revenue in fiscal 2024.

Those testifying for municipal control urged faster local decisionmaking for restaurants, entertainment venues and other on‑premises businesses. Representative John McKenna said the proposal echoes parts of the Municipal Modernization Act and argued that "granting municipalities flexibility in specifically that area is what is important to allow that economic activity to move forward." Small business owners seeking licenses — including restaurateurs and a group proposing a brewery in Lexington — told the committee they cannot finalize leases or begin work while waiting for license approvals.

Retail liquor‑store representatives and other opponents warned that expanding local authority or allowing new classes of licenses would deepen oversupply in an already crowded market. Rob Malyon, executive director and general counsel to the Massachusetts Packaged Stores Association, said Massachusetts has "well over 3,000 off premise licenses," a number he said exceeds the rest of New England combined. Ben Weiner, a longtime retailer, told the committee that many independent stores face declining revenues and ownership turnover and opposed several bills that would increase licensing authority at the municipal level.

Retail witnesses also urged the committee to restore sales pathways for hemp‑derived beverages that had been banned, arguing such products could provide new revenue for struggling stores. "We need hemp products so that we can have something else on the shelves besides empty space," Weiner said.

No committee votes were taken on the bills during the hearing. The committee closed the hearing by voice vote on a motion by Representative Sangiolo, seconded by Representative LaBeouf; the chairs announced "the ayes have it." The committee continued to accept written testimony on the docket.

Why it matters: Municipal control of liquor licenses affects downtown development, restaurant viability and local tax revenue. Local officials said streamlining the approval process could help businesses open and create jobs; retail opponents said expanding licenses risks putting existing small retailers out of business.

Details from the hearing: Cohasset officials said the village district supports eight local establishments and that demand for all‑alcohol on‑premises licenses exceeds the town's supply. Municipal advocates pointed to dozens of recent home‑rule petitions granted across the Commonwealth as evidence the quota system is outdated. Retail witnesses cited multi‑year revenue declines and high turnover in store ownership as reasons to resist additional local license authority.

Next steps: The committee did not report bills at the hearing; members and interested parties may submit additional written testimony and proposed amendments for future sessions.