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H 4359

An Act authorizing the town of Milford to convert a license for the sale of wine and malt beverages into a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be consumed on the premises

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brian Murray and 1 co-sponsor

Milford can convert its off-premises wine-malt license to permit all alcoholic beverages off-premises, broadening products, revenue, and enforcement needs for local businesses.

Enacted and laid before the Governor
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4359

Summary: House Bill 4359 (H 4359)

An Act authorizing the town of Milford to convert a license for the sale of wine and malt beverages into a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be consumed on the premises

Purpose and intent

  • The bill allows Milford to convert an existing license that permits the sale of wine and malt beverages (off-premises) into a license authorizing the sale of all alcoholic beverages (off-premises). In effect, it broadens the scope of permissible products from wine and malt beverages to include liquor and other spirits for off-premises sale.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: Amends Section 1 of Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022. In subsection (a), the words “wine and malt beverages” are replaced with “all alcoholic beverages.”
  • Section 2: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who and what is affected

  • Geographic and administrative scope: The town of Milford, Massachusetts.
  • License status: The off-premises license currently authorizing wine and malt beverages would be converted to an off-premises license for all alcoholic beverages not to be consumed on the premises.
  • License holders and businesses in Milford that rely on or are regulated by the existing license type could be affected by the broadened product category.

Procedural and timeline details

  • Introduced: August 7, 2025.
  • Sponsors: Brian W. Murray (primary sponsor) and Rebecca L. Rausch (cosponsor).
  • Legislative history (key actions):
    • August 7, 2025: Reported favorably by the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure; referred to House Steering, Policy and Scheduling as New Draft H4169.
    • September 4, 2025: Committee reported the matter to the Orders of the Day for the next sitting; rules suspended; second reading and third reading scheduled.
    • September 4, 2025; September 4, 2025: Readings and related actions.
    • October 6, 2025: Read third and passed to be engrossed.
    • October 9, 2025: Read; placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session.
    • October 23, 2025: Read second and ordered to a third reading.
  • Status: As of the latest record, the bill is moving through the floor readings with a third reading anticipated; it has previously received local approval noted as “Local Approval Received.”

Effective date

  • The act would take effect upon passage.

Additional notes

  • The bill aligns Milford’s licensing framework with a broader category for off-premises alcohol sales, potentially impacting local licensing revenue, enforcement, and consumer access to a wider range of alcoholic beverages off the premises.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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