HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6023        FILED ON: 4/8/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5365

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

David T. Vieira

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
 Court assembled:

 The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act amending the home rule charter of the town of Falmouth to create the Falmouth Licensing Commission.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 6023        FILED ON: 4/8/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5365

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act amending the home rule charter of the town of Falmouth to create the Falmouth Licensing Commission.

 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. Article 3 of the Charter of the Town of Falmouth, which is on file in the office of the archivist of the Commonwealth as provided in section 12 of chapter 43B of the General Laws, is hereby amended by striking out section C3-7(B) and renumbering section C3-7 accordingly.

 SECTION 2. Article 7 of said charter is hereby further amended by inserting the following as section C7-9:

 § C7-9: Licensing Commission

 A. There shall be a Licensing Commission which shall consist of five members appointed for three-year terms.

 B. The Licensing Commission shall act as the licensing authority and shall have the

 following powers and responsibilities:

 (1) The power to issue licenses for innholders or common victuallers; and

 (2) The powers of a licensing board appointed under Section 4 of Chapter 138 of the

 Massachusetts General Laws, to serve as the licensing authority for purposes of said

 Chapter 138, and to grant all licenses related to alcoholic beverages under said Chapter.

 (3) The power to issue licenses for entertainment including theatrical exhibitions, public

 shows, and public amusements of any kind pursuant to M.G.L. c. 136 § 4, M.G.L. c.140§§181andl83A.

 C. The Licensing Commission shall make all necessary rules and regulations regarding such licenses and shall be empowered to attach conditions and impose such restrictions thereto as it considers to be in the public interest.

 D. The Licensing Commission shall have the authority to enforce, or cause to be enforced, the laws, rules and regulations relating to licensing as to all businesses, entities and individuals for or to which it issues licenses.

 E. The Select Board shall have the authority to assign any additional licensing powers conferred upon it by statute to the Licensing Commission through the enactment of a general bylaw. The assignment of such authority shall include the power to grant the license, make all necessary rules and regulations, impose conditions and restrictions and enforce or cause to be enforced the laws, rules and regulations relating to the licensing, as above.

 SECTION 3. Within 30 days of the passage of this act, the Select Board of the Town of Falmouth shall appoint five (5) individuals to the Licensing Commission in accordance with section C7-16 of the charter of the Town of Falmouth; provided, however, that one (1) member shall serve an initial term of one (1) year, two (2) members shall serve an initial term of two (2) years and two (2) members shall serve an initial term of three (3) years.

 SECTION 4. This act shall take effect on January 1 ,2027.