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MassachusettsH 4814194th General Court (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act authorizing the town of Westwood to reissue licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises and grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises

Sponsored By: Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Signed by Governor

Consumer Protection and Professional LicensureHouse Steering, Policy and Scheduling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Large Westwood groceries can sell alcohol

The law lets Westwood license large food stores to sell all alcoholic drinks for off-site use. A food store must have at least 20,000 square feet and sell meats, dairy, eggs, produce, baked goods, canned goods, and dessert items. Convenience, specialty, and gasoline stores do not qualify. The select board decides if a store meets this test, based on sales and product range. The store must be operating as a commercial business, and the licensing authority sets the initial and renewal fees. Licensed stores may sell alcohol alone or with other items.

Stricter license transfers, easier reissue in Westwood

The law does not allow moving an alcohol license to a new location. A new applicant can get a license at the same or another suitable site only after filing letters from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the Department of Unemployment Assistance. The letters must state good standing and that all taxes, fees, and contributions are paid. If a license ends, is revoked, or is not used, the holder must physically return it to the town. The town may then grant that returned license to a new applicant under the same conditions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Michael F. Rush

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul McMurtry

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 14 of the Acts of 2026

    1/30/2026

  2. Enacted and laid before the Governor

    1/22/2026Senate

  3. Enacted

    1/22/2026House

  4. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    1/15/2026Senate

  5. Taken out of the Orders of the Day

    1/15/2026Senate

  6. Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading

    12/29/2025Senate

  7. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    12/24/2025House

  8. Read second and ordered to a third reading

    12/15/2025House

  9. Rules suspended

    12/15/2025House

  10. Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting

    12/15/2025House

  11. Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling

    12/8/2025House

  12. New draft of H4188

    12/8/2025House

  13. Reported from the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

    12/8/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chapter 14 of the Acts of 2026

    1/30/2026

    PDF

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