Marvin David Long, sympathy

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Authorizes Somerset to grant one extra off-premises wine/malt license for 2756 County Street beyond the usual cap, with nontransferable status and DOR-good-standing reissuance rules.

Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence

What this bill does (purpose and intent)

Empowers the Town of Somerset to issue one additional license for the sale of wine and malt beverages to be consumed off the premises (i.e., an off-premises license) specifically for a single establishment located at 2756 County Street, Somerset.

This is a targeted exception to the standard license cap in Somerset, allowing one license beyond the usual limit under Chapter 138, Section 17.

Key provisions

Section 1: One new license

The Somerset licensing authority may grant one off-premises license for wine and malt beverages to be consumed off the premises to the establishment at 2756 County Street.
The license must comply with all requirements of Chapter 138, except for the cap on the number of licenses (Section 17).
The license is nontransferable to a different location. However, it may be reissued to a new applicant at the same location if the applicant provides a Department of Revenue (DOR) letter indicating the license is in good standing and taxes are paid.
The license remains subject to all other provisions of Chapter 138.

Section 2: Reissuance if the license becomes available

If the license is cancelled, revoked, or no longer in use, it must be returned to the licensing authority, which may grant the license to a new applicant at the same location under the same terms.

Section 3: Effective date

The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

Town of Somerset’s licensing authority (local regulator) gains authority to grant one additional off-premises license for the specified address.

The establishment at 2756 County Street, Somerset (and its prospective owner/operator) would be the primary entity affected.

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) is involved through the requirement of a good-standing letter and tax compliance as a condition for license reissuance.

Other license holders in Somerset are unaffected in terms of the general cap, except that this is an exception granted at a single location.

Procedural and timeline context

Introduction and sponsorship: Introduced March 17, 2025, by Rep. Justin Thurber (Somerset) with co-petition from Rep. Michael J. Rodrigues.

Status and actions:

Referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (3/17/2025).
Senate concurred on April 10, 2025.
Accompanied by a new draft (H 4286) as of July 23, 2025.
Hearing scheduled: June 23, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Committee A-1).

Related measures: HD 4452 is listed as a related bill (replaces).

Potential impact

Local impact: Creates a single additional off-premises alcohol license for a specific Somerset location, potentially affecting retail competition, local tax revenue, and alcohol availability in the area.

Regulatory impact: Maintains most safeguards of Chapter 138 while allowing a limited local exception to the license cap; emphasizes location-specific control and DOR compliance for reissuance.

Neutral to policy goals: The bill is focused on local licensing capacity rather than broad reform of alcohol laws.

This summary reflects the bill language as filed and the accompanying legislative actions up to the noted dates.

Bill