Lawmakers, town officials urge return of liquor‑license authority to cities and towns

Supporters of legislation to return liquor‑licensing authority to local governments told the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure that delegating more license decisions to cities and towns would streamline approvals and boost local economies.

Ally Di Matteo, legislative analyst with the Massachusetts Municipal Association, told the committee that House Bill 437 and Senate Bill 279 would simplify a process established in 1933 and give municipalities more flexibility to grant additional on‑premises liquor licenses. “Local licensing authorities need to be entrusted with determining how many licenses are appropriate within their communities,” Di Matteo said.

The bills would preserve the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission’s regulatory authority while removing the requirement that every municipality petition the Legislature to add licenses. Christopher Senior, town manager of Cohasset, described local demand: Cohasset’s village district now has eight restaurants, all 14 of the town’s all‑alcohol on‑premises licenses have been issued, and the town has four remaining wine‑and‑beer licenses. Senior said Cohasset collected more than $350,000 in local option meals tax revenue in fiscal 2024 and has an active home‑rule petition seeking five additional all‑alcohol on‑premises licenses.

Senior said those licenses can make the difference for business models ranging from oyster bars to sit‑down restaurants. “Without local flexibility to issue more, local growth and all the benefits it provides will stop,” he said.

Representative Rose McKenna, sponsor of the House bill, said municipalities need that discretion to support economic development and to respond more quickly than the multi‑step home‑rule process allows. McKenna noted an item in the House budget, outside section 28, that would give municipalities local options to convert beer‑and‑wine licenses to all‑alcohol licenses, and said that signal reflects an understanding that towns should have more licensing autonomy.

Senator Jacob Provano read prepared remarks on behalf of Sen. Olivera, who attempted to testify virtually but was not recognized under the committee’s current in‑person rule. The remarks urged a favorable report on S.279, saying the quota system is “outdated” and that returning authority to municipalities would “shorten the lengthy processes currently in place.”

Small business owners and prospective restaurateurs also testified in favor of the bills. Reshma, owner of Pinot’s Palette in Lexington, said a beer‑and‑wine option would “increase our revenue” and support staff and services. James Sparks, CEO of Fable Brewing Company, said a local license would allow his planned Lexington brewery to complete leases, hire staff and begin operations.

Committee members asked few substantive questions during the panel. No committee vote on the bills occurred; the hearing was a public‑testimony session. The committee recorded a formal motion to close the hearing at the end of the day; Representative Sangiolo moved, Representative LaBeouf seconded, and the motion passed.

Supporters told the committee the measure is intended to help restaurants and town centers recover and grow by reducing reliance on the multi‑step home‑rule petition process. Opponents or other perspectives were not heard on this specific topic during the in‑person panels, though the committee accepted written testimony from other parties.

The committee will continue to accept written testimony on the docket. Further hearings or committee action were not announced during this session.