An Act relative to liquor licenses in the town of East Bridgewater

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bridget Plouffe

East Bridgewater could issue up to four additional Section 15 retail liquor licenses, with transfers limited and tax/unemployment proofs required.

Hearing rescheduled to 06/23/2026 from 10:00 AM-11:35 AM in B-1 Hearing updated to New End Time

Bill overview

Bill: H 5130 (Session: 194th, Massachusetts)

Title: An Act relative to liquor licenses in the town of East Bridgewater

Filed by: Representatives Bridget Plouffe and Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida

Purpose: To authorize East Bridgewater to issue up to four additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises (i.e., retail liquor licenses for off-premises consumption or on-premises not specified? The bill references Section 15 of Chapter 138, which governs licenses for all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises).

Local approval: Local approval received

What the bill would do

Section 1: Overrides existing license limitations for East Bridgewater to authorize up to four additional licenses under Section 15 of Chapter 138 (i.e., licenses for sale of alcoholic beverages not to be consumed on the licensed premises). In practical terms, East Bridgewater could issue up to four new licenses beyond its current numerical cap.

Section 2: Sets transfer rules for these new licenses:

The licensing authority may not approve a transfer of a license granted under Section 1.
A license may be granted to a new applicant at the same or a different location if the applicant provides:
A letter from the Department of Revenue (DOR) indicating the license is in good standing regarding tax obligations, and
A letter from the Department of Unemployment Assistance indicating compliance with unemployment-related taxes and contributions.

Section 3: Maintains that, except as provided in this Act, the additional licenses issued under this act are subject to all general provisions, restrictions, and requirements of Chapter 138, including any relevant operational and regulatory conditions.

Section 4: Effective date—takes effect upon passage.

Who/what is affected

Geographic focus: Town of East Bridgewater.

Licensing authority: East Bridgewater licensing board/authority (local regulatory body) would be authorized to issue up to four additional Section 15 licenses.

Licensees: Potential new licensees (businesses) in East Bridgewater seeking to sell all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises.

Compliance drivers: Applicants must secure confirmations from DOR and the Department of Unemployment Assistance regarding tax and contribution compliance.

Procedural and timeline notes

Action history indicates:

Referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (Feb 17, 2026).
Senate concurred (Feb 19, 2026).
A hearing is scheduled (as of June 11, 2026) for June 23, 2026, in a designated committee hearing room.

If enacted, the act would take effect upon passage.

Key implications

Market impact: East Bridgewater could expand its licensed retail alcohol capacity by up to four licenses, potentially increasing retail options for alcohol vendors and affecting competition within the town.

Regulatory impact: New licenses would be subject to Chapter 138 rules and the additional transfer restrictions, with an emphasis on ensuring tax and unemployment insurance compliance prior to issuance.

Local control: The bill preserves local licensing authority while narrowly authorizing an incremental increase in licenses beyond existing limits.