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HD 5140

An Act authorizing the town of Pembroke to issue one additional license

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kathy LaNatra and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill authorizes Pembroke to issue one additional license beyond normal limits, type unspecified in bill text.

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Bill Summary · HD 5140

Legislative bill overview

HD 5140 authorizes the town of Pembroke, Massachusetts to issue one additional license, though the bill text does not specify what type of license. Based on typical Massachusetts municipal legislation, this likely refers to a liquor license or other local business permit that would exceed the town's current authorization limit.

Why is this important

Towns in Massachusetts operate under "Dillon's Rule," meaning they can only exercise powers explicitly granted by state law. This bill provides Pembroke with specific statutory authority to exceed its normal licensing cap, allowing the town to accommodate local economic or community needs that would otherwise require a special exemption or state approval.

Potential points of contention

  • Lack of specificity: The bill does not clearly state what type of license is being authorized, making it difficult for the public to understand the actual impact
  • Process transparency: No apparent public hearing or justification is detailed, raising questions about whether this serves a particular business interest or broader community benefit
  • Precedent concerns: Granting individual towns authority to exceed standard licensing limits could encourage similar requests from other municipalities, potentially fragmenting statewide regulatory consistency

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

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