An Act authorizing the town of Wayland to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David Linsky

Wayland would be authorized to issue up to 10 additional on-premises all-alcohol licenses, with strict transfer and eligibility conditions.

Summary of Bill HD 6211 (194th Massachusetts General Court)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to authorize the Town of Wayland to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises (on-premises consumption). Specifically, it would authorize Wayland to issue 10 new on-premises all-alcohol licenses, beyond what existing general laws allow.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1(a): Overrides, for Wayland, the general prohibition in Section 17 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws, allowing Wayland to grant up to 10 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be consumed on the premises (on-site consumption). These licenses would be issued under Section 12 of Chapter 138 and would be subject to all other provisions of Chapter 138 except for Section 17.

Section 1(b): Restrictions on license transfers. A license granted under this act cannot be transferred to another location. However, Wayland may grant a new license at the same location to a new applicant if the applicant provides:

a letter from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue indicating good standing, and
a letter from the Department of Unemployment Assistance confirming all applicable taxes, fees, and contributions have been paid.

Section 1(c): License reassignment upon cancellation or revocation. If a license issued under this act is cancelled, revoked, or no longer in use at its original location, the license must be returned to the licensing authority. The authority may then grant the license to a new applicant at the same location under the same conditions specified in this act.

Section 2: Effective date. The act takes effect upon passage.

Who would be affected

The Town of Wayland and its licensing authority (board responsible for alcohol licenses) would gain the ability to issue up to 10 additional on-premises all-alcohol licenses.

Prospective licensees in Wayland seeking on-premises all-alcohol licenses would be subject to the transfer restrictions (no inter-location transfers) but could obtain licenses at the same location if they meet tax, fee, and contributory-standing requirements.

Department of Revenue and Department of Unemployment Assistance would be involved in license eligibility checks for new applicants.

Procedural/timeline considerations

No specified timeline beyond “take effect upon passage.” The act would immediately authorize Wayland to issue the up-to-10 licenses upon enactment, subject to Chapter 138 requirements (except for Section 17) and the transfer/eligibility provisions.

Licenses can be reissued at the same location if vacated, following the same conditions.

Additional notes

The bill explicitly sets the number at 10 additional licenses and includes protections related to license transfer and reassignment to ensure continued compliance with state departments and financial obligations.

Co-sponsor: David Linsky. The bill is filed as House Docket No. 6211 on June 4, 2026.