HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5471

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, June 3, 2026.

 The committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by House, No. 5464) of Carole A. Fiola for legislation to authorize municipalities to opt-in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow for public consumption in designated districts from June 1 to August 31, 2026, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 5471) ought to pass.

For the committee,

CAROLE A. FIOLA.

        FILED ON: 6/2/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 5471

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 authorizing municipalities to opt-in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow for public consumption in designated districts in summer 2026.

 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 any provision of this section or any other general or special law to the contrary, the local licensing authority in a city or town which votes to authorize the granting of licenses for the sale of an alcoholic beverage may, on a temporary basis not to begin prior to June 8, 2026, allow an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, wine or malt beverages pursuant to Section 12 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws to sell alcoholic beverages, wine or malt beverages for off-premises consumption in social consumption districts established pursuant to Section 3 of this Act. Only licensees located within a designated district as defined in Section 3 of this Act may sell alcoholic beverages to be consumed within said district.

 SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any provision of this section or any other general or special law to the contrary, an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages pursuant to Section 12 of Chapter 138 may, subject to approval of the local licensing authority, sell alcoholic beverages or wine or malt beverages on-premises for one additional hour beyond the time set forth in the establishment’s license, but not to exceed 3:00 a.m. for the period of June 8, 2026 until July 31, 2026 subject to any applicable local rules or regulations and any conditions placed upon their license.

 SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any provision of this section or any other general or special law to the contrary, a city or town may elect to designate one or more areas in that city or town in which alcoholic beverages are permitted to be consumed in public spaces, subject to such restrictions as the city or town may deem appropriate and only for the period of June 8, 2026 until July 31, 2026. Alcohol consumed within a designated district shall be limited to alcoholic beverages sold by participating licensees located within the designated district.

 SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage and shall expire on July 31, 2026.