An Act removing the seating capacity requirements of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the town of Belmont

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Will Brownsberger and 1 co-sponsor

Belmont's on-premises alcohol licenses can have any number of seats, removing previously fixed minimum and maximum seating limits.

Read second and ordered to a third reading

Summary of Bill H. 5344 (Session 194th, Massachusetts)

Purpose and intent

The bill proposes to remove seating capacity requirements for licenses that authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in Belmont.

It aims to liberalize the number of seats allowed for certain on-premises alcohol licenses in the town, aligning Belmont’s licensing framework with the broader statutory changes described in the act.

Key provisions and changes

Removal of seating limits for certain licenses (restaurants)

Sections 1 and 2 state that restaurants holding licenses under specified chapters (as cited: Chapter 128 of the acts of 1997 and Chapter 14 of the acts of 2004, including licenses authorized by ballot questions) may have any number of seats.
This effectively eliminates previously mandated seating capacity ranges for these licenses.

Broadening of seating capacity limitations removed (specific acts)

Section 3 amends Section 1 of Chapter 388 of the acts of 2010 by striking the language that mandated a seating capacity range of not less than 60 and no more than 250 seats.
Section 4 amends Section 1 of Chapter 15 of the acts of 2014 by striking the language that mandated a seating capacity range of not less than 39 and not more than 125 seats.
Together, these changes remove established upper and lower seating limits for certain on-premises alcohol licenses in Belmont.

Effective date

Section 5 provides that the act shall take effect upon passage.

Who is affected

Restaurants in Belmont holding on-premises alcohol licenses under the specified chapters and ballot-authorization provisions.

The changes primarily impact license-holders, local licensing authorities, and any patrons seeking to understand Belmont’s capacity-based licensing rules.

Procedural/timeline aspects

The bill originated as a local petition (House No. 5051) and received favorable committee reporting.

It was reported by the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on April 9, 2026, and subsequently advanced along the legislative process, with actions including third reading and passage to engrossment, rules suspensions, and readiness for floor action in May–June 2026.

Once enacted, it would take effect immediately upon passage.

Notable context

The bill is described as “Local Approval Received,” indicating it is a local-option measure designed to modify Belmont’s licensing framework rather than establishing state-wide licensing changes.

Co-sponsors: Rep. David M. Rogers and Rep. Will Brownsberger.

Potential impact to readers

For licensees: More flexibility to determine seating capacity without being constrained by specified minimum/maximum seat counts.

For the town: A simplification of regulatory requirements, potentially affecting restaurant planning, service capacity, and establishment layout.

For patrons: No direct change to service practices, but the policy could influence restaurant crowding and availability of seating.