SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2830

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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SENATE, July 20, 2020.

The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate Bill to address challenges faced by restaurants and other establishments due to COVID-19 (Senate, No. 2730),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2830).

For the committee,

Michael J. Rodrigues

        FILED ON: 7/20/2020

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2830

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act to address challenges faced by restaurants and other establishments due to COVID-19.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to forthwith authorize cities and towns to allow outdoor alcohol service, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

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. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the licensing authority of a city or town that grants licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises pursuant to section 12 of chapter 138 of the General Laws may grant approval for a change in the description of a premises licensed under said section 12 of said chapter 138 as the licensing authority deems reasonable and proper and may issue an amended license to the holder of an existing license under said section 12 of said chapter 138 for the purpose of outdoor alcohol service. Upon approval of an amended license, the licensing authority shall notify the alcoholic beverages control commission of the amended license.

(b) On November 1, 2020, an amended license issued by a licensing authority pursuant to this act shall automatically revert to its status prior to the issuance of such amended license.

(c) Not more than 10 days after the effective date of this act, the commission may promulgate regulations consistent with this act and issue updated guidance to local licensing authorities.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect as of June 2, 2020.

SECTION 3. This act shall expire on November 1, 2020.