Bill > S46

This bill allows the town of Rockport to hold a local election where voters can decide whether to authorize the board of selectmen to grant licenses for restaurants to sell wine and malt beverages (alcoholic drinks made from fermented grains, like beer and ale) for consumption on the premises, meaning within the restaurant. If approved by a majority vote, the town could issue up to three year-round licenses and up to eight seasonal licenses. This change overrides certain existing state laws regarding alcohol licensing, and the board of selectmen would have the authority to set specific rules for granting these licenses, including potentially limiting operating hours. Additionally, the bill amends a previous law from 2004, removing a restriction that these licenses could only be used for serving meals to seated patrons and allowing them to be issued to any restaurant approved by the board of selectmen.