Massachusetts House Bill H351

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/25
• Refer: 2/27/25

Caption

Relative to the sale of liquor licenses

Impact

If passed, H351 would significantly affect how liquor licenses are managed at the local level, potentially leading to increased revenue for cities and towns wherein liquor licenses are a common element of local commerce. This could allow municipalities more flexibility in creating policies that align with their specific economic situations and community objectives. The proposed changes may be particularly beneficial for municipalities with extensive hospitality sectors, where the transfer of liquor licenses is frequent.

Summary

House Bill H351, presented by Representative Mark J. Cusack, seeks to give municipalities in Massachusetts the authority to impose a fee on the sale of liquor licenses when one licensee sells their license to another. The bill states that cities and towns can collect a fee equivalent to a maximum of 25% of the amount paid for the license at the time of the transfer approval. This legislative proposal aims to provide local governments with additional revenue options in relation to the regulation of liquor licenses, which has been a topic of interest given the fluctuating demand within various communities.

Contention

While the bill may seem advantageous in terms of generating revenue, there may be potential points of contention centered around the fee structure and its implications on small businesses. Some stakeholders might argue that adding fees to the transfer of liquor licenses could create financial burdens for small establishments or new entrants into the market. This concern is particularly relevant in discussions around equity and access in the alcoholic beverage industry, as barriers to entry could disproportionately affect smaller operators as compared to larger establishments.