Relates to the transfer, acceptance, or purchase of military weapons from the United States government

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jabari Brisport and 6 co-sponsors

Allows a legally permitted smoking bar to operate inside Massachusetts gaming venues holding Category 1 and 2 licenses, with a valid smoking-permit.

REFERRED TO FINANCE

Summary — S.239 (2025): "An Act relative to certain hospitality venues"

Status: Introduced Jan 24, 2025; Referred to Finance (committee).
Filed as Senate No. 239; presented by Sen. Paul R. Feeney (with Michael O. Moore listed as petitioner).

Note on metadata: The bill text attached to S.239 pertains to hospitality venues and smoking bars in gaming establishments. Other metadata in the file (title about military weapons, sponsor lists referencing federal or out‑of‑state legislators) appears inconsistent with the Commonwealth docket. This summary is based on the official bill text filed as Senate No. 239.

Main purpose

To amend Massachusetts General Laws chapter 270, section 22 (the statutory provisions regulating smoking and smoking permits) to explicitly permit a properly permitted "smoking bar" to operate inside licensed gaming establishments that hold Category 1 and Category 2 licenses under M.G.L. chapter 23K.

Key provision(s)

Adds a new subsection (designated Section 22(c)(9) in the bill text) to Chapter 270, Section 22:

"A smoking bar, if the smoking bar maintains a valid permit pursuant to this section, may be located within a gaming establishment possessing a valid category 1 license and category 2 license issued pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 23K."

Effectively creates an explicit exemption allowing a smoking bar (with a valid permit under the existing smoking statute) to be sited inside an otherwise licensed casino/gaming facility that holds the referenced chapter 23K licenses.

Who would be affected

Gaming establishments licensed under M.G.L. Chapter 23K (those holding Category 1 and Category 2 licenses) that may choose to operate a smoking bar.

Patrons of such facilities who smoke and those who do not (including employees) — public‑health implications arise from increased indoor exposure to tobacco smoke if smoking bars are opened.

Local and state regulators responsible for issuing and enforcing smoking‑bar permits under Chapter 270, and the Gaming Commission overseeing licensed gaming facilities.

Potential impacts and considerations

Regulatory: Requires coordination between smoking‑permit issuance under Chapter 270 and gaming licensing under Chapter 23K.

Public health: Could increase indoor secondhand smoke exposure for casino employees and patrons unless the smoking bar is effectively segregated and regulated.

Business: May provide an additional amenity to attract smoking patrons to licensed gaming venues.

Legal: The change is narrowly framed to permit smoking bars only in gaming establishments that simultaneously hold the specified category licenses and a valid smoking‑bar permit.

Procedural/timeline notes

Introduced Jan 24, 2025 (Senate No. 239). Legislative history in the docket shows referrals and a scheduled hearing (June 23, 2025, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM in A‑1) and multiple committee referrals (Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure; Finance). Some docket entries appear duplicated or inconsistent; current listed referral is to Finance.

If you want, I can:
- Compare this proposal to the current text of Chapter 270, §22 to show exactly how the statutory exemptions would change; or
- Draft a short pros/cons briefing focused on public‑health, regulatory, and industry impacts.