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MassachusettsH 5478194th General Court (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

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

Sponsored By: Thomas P. Walsh (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Bills in the Third Reading

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Pilot keeps license limits, ends July 31

Using the pilot does not let you sell any new types of alcohol beyond your current license. All temporary permissions in this law stop on July 31, 2026.

Public drinking zones for summer 2026

Your city or town can create a pilot area where you may drink alcohol in public. From June 8, 2026 to July 31, 2026, you can buy a drink from a licensed bar or restaurant inside the area and take it to drink within that area. Only participating businesses inside the area can sell these drinks. The city or town can set extra rules.

Bars can serve one hour later

Local licensing boards can let licensed bars and restaurants serve for one extra hour. Service still cannot go past 3:00 a.m. This applies from June 8, 2026 to July 31, 2026. Extensions need local approval and must follow all local rules and license conditions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Thomas P. Walsh

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Carole A. Fiola

    Democratic • House

  • Christopher J. Worrell

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor, Chapter 96 of the Acts of 2026

    6/8/2026

  2. Enacted and laid before the Governor

    6/8/2026Senate

  3. Enacted

    6/8/2026House

  4. Emergency preamble adopted

    6/8/2026Senate

  5. Emergency preamble adopted

    6/8/2026House

  6. Senate concurred in the furthe House amendment

    6/8/2026Senate

  7. House concurred in the Senate amendment with a further amendment, see H5482

    6/8/2026House

  8. Referred to the committee on Bills in the Third Reading

    6/8/2026House

  9. Read third and passed to be engrossed

    6/8/2026Senate

  10. Ordered to a third reading

    6/8/2026Senate

  11. Reprinted as amended, see S3115

    6/8/2026Senate

  12. Amended (Cyr) by striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of S3114, as amended

    6/8/2026Senate

  13. Read, rules suspended and read second

    6/8/2026Senate

  14. Passed to be engrossed

    6/4/2026House

  15. Substituted for H5471

    6/4/2026House

Bill Text

  • Chapter 96 of the Acts of 2026

    6/8/2026

    PDF

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