All Roll Calls
Yes: 6 • No: 0
MassachusettsS 2526194th General Court (2025-2026)SenateWALLET
An Act authorizing the town of Topsfield to convert 4 licenses for sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises to 4 licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises and to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages in the containers less than 200 milliliters
Sponsored By: Bruce E. Tarr (Republican)
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, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Topsfield off‑premise retailers can sell all alcohol
The law lets certain Topsfield off‑premise licenses switch from beer and wine only to all alcoholic beverages. Affected retailers can now sell spirits and liquor to‑go, not just beer and wine. These licenses still cover sales not to be drunk on the premises.
Topsfield off‑premise shops can’t sell mini bottles
If you hold an off‑premise all‑alcohol license from the Topsfield select board, you cannot sell alcohol in containers under 200 milliliters. The ban covers selling, offering for sale, or giving them out. Keep only 200 ml or larger containers for retail.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Bruce E. Tarr
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Kristin E. Kassner
Democratic • House
Sally P. Kerans
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
committee vote • 3/5/2026
Committee Favorable: Ought to pass
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor, Chapter 211 of the Acts of 2026
9/10/2026Enacted and laid before the Governor
9/3/2026SenateEnacted
9/3/2026HouseSenate concurred in the House amendment
8/27/2026SenateRules suspended
8/27/2026SenatePassed to be engrossed
8/6/2026HouseAmended by substitution of the text of H5650
8/6/2026HouseRead third
8/6/2026HouseRead second and ordered to a third reading
4/30/2026HouseRules suspended
4/30/2026HouseCommittee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
4/30/2026HouseRead; and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
4/2/2026HouseRead third and passed to be engrossed
4/1/2026SenateTaken out of the Orders of the Day
4/1/2026SenateRead second and ordered to a third reading
4/1/2026SenateBill reported favorably by committee and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session
3/9/2026SenateReporting date extended to Thursday March 5, 2026
1/8/2026SenateHearing rescheduled to 10/14/2025 from 10:00 AM-11:30 AM in A-2 and Virtual<br> <span style="color: blue; font-style: italic;">Hearing updated to New End Time</span>
10/14/2025legislatureHearing scheduled for 10/14/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-2
10/2/2025legislatureHouse concurred
6/5/2025HouseReferred to the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
6/2/2025Senate
Bill Text
Chapter 211 of the Acts of 2026
9/10/2026
Related Bills
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H 5435, An Act authorizing the town of Topsfield to continue to employment of police chief Neal Hovey
H 5515, An Act to increase the value of estates eligible for abatements pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 59, section 5, clauses seventeenth D and forty-first C in the town of Shrewsbury
H 3909, An Act authorizing the Provincetown year-round market rate rental housing trust to acquire year-round housing occupancy restrictions
H 5429, An Act providing injured on duty compensation to Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinale
H 5520, An Act exempting George Patrinos from the maximum age requirement age for the position of firefighter in the town of Dudley