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H 4285

Dr. Booker T. Williams

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 122 co-sponsors

Adds a monthly reporting mandate for any carrier bringing alcohol into Massachusetts, detailing supplier name, license number, and quantity, with some deliveries exempt.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · H 4285

Summary — H 4285 (2025): "An Act modernizing the Massachusetts alcohol permitting laws"

Overview

H 4285 is a Massachusetts House bill introduced July 23, 2025 (reported by the committee the same day) that proposes targeted amendments to chapter 138 (Massachusetts alcoholic beverages law) to “modernize” permitting and reporting requirements. The file also contains a separate, ceremonial House resolution memorializing Booker T. Williams (text appears to be a South Carolina House resolution); that resolution is non‑statutory and commemorative.

Main purpose and intent

  • Update and clarify statutory language in multiple sections of chapter 138.
  • Add a monthly reporting requirement for carriers who bring alcoholic beverages into the Commonwealth.
  • Add an express character standard for applicants for alcoholic beverage licenses.
  • Extend a specified statutory time period from five to ten business days (see Section 67 amendment).

Key provisions

  • Removal of phrase “and contiguous” from multiple sections:

    • Section 12 (chapter 138) — strike “and contiguous.”
    • Subsection (n) of section 19B, subsection (n) of section 19C, subsection (o) of section 19E, and section 19H (line 11) — each amended by striking “and contiguous.”
    • Purpose: the bill deletes identical language in several provisions to modernize or clarify coverage; the bill text does not add replacement language in those places.

  • New reporting requirement (inserted as Section 18D):

    • Every railroad company, express company, common carrier, contract carrier, firm, or corporation that brings, carries, or transports wines, malt beverages, or distilled spirits into the Commonwealth must prepare and file monthly reports with the (Alcoholic Beverages) commission.
    • Reports must include the supplier’s name and license number and the quantity of product transported, on commission-prescribed forms.
    • Exemption: the reporting requirement does not apply to deliveries from certificate-of-compliance holders licensed under section 18B to wholesalers licensed under section 18.

  • Licensing character requirement (amendment to section 23):

    • Adds a paragraph stating no applicant shall be issued a license under chapter 138 unless the applicant is “with respect to their character, satisfactory to the licensing authorities.” (Establishes an explicit character standard.)

  • Timeline change (amendment to section 67):

    • Replaces the word “five” with “ten business” (text changes a five‑day period to ten business days). The bill text does not specify the surrounding subsection context in the excerpt; consult the full statute to see which procedural deadline is extended.

Who is affected

  • Carriers (railroads, express companies, common/contract carriers) transporting alcoholic beverages into Massachusetts — now subject to monthly reporting (with stated exemption).
  • Suppliers and wholesalers — their shipments and supplier license numbers would appear in carrier reports.
  • Applicants for alcoholic beverage licenses — subject to an explicit character review by licensing authorities.
  • Licensing authorities and the Alcoholic Beverages commission — new administrative/reporting duties and possible changes in review practice.
  • Entities or licensees referenced by the deleted “and contiguous” language — statutory scope/interpretation of several provisions may change.

Legislative status and timeline (selected)

  • Introduced: July 23, 2025; reported favorably by the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (7/23/2025).
  • Committee placed a new draft combining prior bills H36 and H477.
  • Rules suspended and advanced in House on 8/21/2025; read a second time and ordered to a third reading.
  • The bill file also shows an April 3, 2025 adoption date for the attached commemorative resolution (Booker T. Williams), which is separate from the statutory changes.

Notes / Next steps

  • The bill text excerpt removes several occurrences of “and contiguous” without supplying replacement wording; the practical effect depends on how courts and regulators interpret the change in context of chapter 138.
  • The precise procedural effect of the Section 67 change depends on the subsection it amends — consult the full chapter 138 text to see which deadline now becomes “ten business” days.
  • The Booker T. Williams resolution included in the file is ceremonial/commemorative and does not alter Massachusetts law.

For precise operational or legal impacts, review the full bill text alongside current chapter 138 and any administrative rules of the Alcoholic Beverages commission.

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

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