Bill > H431

This bill aims to return control of liquor license issuance to municipalities. The key provisions are: 1. Allowing cities and towns to grant liquor licenses pursuant to a municipal plan, rather than being subject to state-imposed limits on the number of licenses. 2. Removing language that exempts licenses from limitations on the number of licenses a city or town can grant. 3. Requiring cities and towns to hold public hearings before approving any new license applications. 4. Allowing cities and towns serviced by late-night MBTA service to extend liquor service hours. 5. Making new liquor licenses non-transferable and requiring the return of canceled/unused licenses to the local licensing authority. 6. Repealing state-level restrictions on the number of liquor licenses cities and towns can grant. The overall effect is to decentralize control over liquor licensing and give more authority to local governments to determine the number and distribution of liquor licenses in their communities.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H431