Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding sections 11,11A and 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, the board of selectmen of the town of Rockport may place upon the official ballot to be used at the next annual or special town election the following question:

“Shall the board of selectmen be authorized to grant up to 3 year-round licenses and up to 2 seasonal licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages to be consumed on the premises by patrons of restaurants approved by the board of selectmen?”

Yes

No

If a majority of votes cast in answer to the question are in the affirmative, the town may grant licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages to be consumed on the premises of restaurants.  Nothing in this act shall authorize the issuance of licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be consumed on the premises.  The board of selectmen may from time to time issue regulations for the granting of the licenses and define terms appropriate to carrying out the objectives of this act.  Notwithstanding section 12 of said chapter 138, the board of selectmen, in its discretion, may limit the hours during which such sales may be made.  The granting of such licenses shall in all other respects be governed by said chapter 138.

SECTION 2.  The restrictions on the on-premises alcoholic beverage licenses approved by the voters of the town of Rockport pursuant to chapter 470 of the acts of 2004 are hereby amended by deleting the restriction that said licenses shall only allow service “to patrons who are seated at tables or on stools for the consumption of meals,” and further by authorizing the Rockport board of selectmen to issue such licenses to “restaurants approved by the board of selectmen.”  All other provisions of chapter 470 of the acts of 2004 shall continue to apply.

SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.