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H 4817

An Act authorizing the town of Pembroke to grant one additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dylan Fernandes and 2 co-sponsors

Pembroke may grant one extra off-premises liquor license to South Shore Market and Deli at 256 Church St, with strict transfer, renewal, and eligibility rules.

Signed by the Governor, Chapter 85 of the Acts of 2026
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Bill Summary · H 4817

Summary of H 4817: An Act Authorizing Pembroke to Grant One Additional Off-P premises Alcohol License

Purpose and intent

  • Authorizes the town of Pembroke to grant one additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises (i.e., an off-premises liquor license) to South Shore Market and Deli, located at 256 Church Street.
  • The license would be granted under the authority of Pembroke’s licensing board and would operate with the same general framework as other licenses under Chapter 138, Section 15, but with targeted exceptions to enable this specific license.

Key provisions and changes

  • Authorization and location:
    • Pembroke’s licensing authority may grant 1 additional off-premises license to South Shore Market and Deli at 256 Church Street.
    • The license is issued pursuant to Chapter 138, Section 15 and remains subject to all provisions of Chapter 138 except Section 17 (which governs the number of licenses in a municipality).
  • Transfer restrictions and eligibility:
    • The license cannot be transferred to another location.
    • If the license is held at the same location by a new applicant, the new applicant must provide:
    • A letter from the Department of Revenue (DOR) indicating the license is in good standing, and
    • A letter from the Department of Unemployment Assistance indicating all applicable taxes, fees, and contributions have been paid.
  • Termination, renewal, and reissuance:
    • If the licensee terminates, fails to renew, or the license is canceled, revoked, or no longer in use, the license must be returned to the licensing authority with all associated rights intact.
    • Within 3 years of return, the licensing authority may grant the license to a new applicant at the same location. If not granted within that period, the license “shall dissolve.”
  • Issuance timeline:
    • The license must be issued within 3 years after the act’s effective date; if originally granted within that window, a new applicant may still be approved under subsections (b) and (c) thereafter.
  • Effective date:
    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Affected parties and potential impact

  • Pembroke residents and businesses: Potentially increases the number of off-premises liquor options and could affect retail competition at 256 Church Street.
  • The beneficiary: South Shore Market and Deli (owner/operating entity) would receive an additional off-premises license, subject to compliance with state revenue and unemployment tax requirements.
  • Town governance: The Pembroke licensing authority gains authority to issue one off-premises license at a specific location, with conditions to ensure long-term use and compliance.
  • State oversight: Requires ongoing compliance with DOR and Unemployment Assistance to maintain the license transfer eligibility.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: December 8, 2025.
  • Committee action: Reported favorable by the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on December 8, 2025.
  • Legislative actions: On December 24, 2025, committee reported to Orders of the Day; Rules suspended; referred for third reading after moving through standard internal processes.
  • Current status: Read second and ordered to a third reading as of December 24, 2025.

This bill is a targeted, location-specific adjustment to Massachusetts liquor licensing, creating one additional off-premises license for Pembroke at a defined site, with safeguards on transfer, renewal, and eligibility.

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

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