H 4814 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act authorizing the town of Westwood to reissue licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises and grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises

This bill allows the town of Westwood to issue new licenses for grocery stores to sell all alcoholic beverages (to be consumed off-premises) without requiring on-site consumption. It specifically authorizes licenses for "food stores" meeting strict criteria: retail space of at least 20,000 square feet selling groceries, fresh meats, dairy, produce, and baked goods (excluding convenience stores or gas stations). New applicants must provide proof of tax/fee compliance from state departments, and licenses cannot be transferred between locations but may be reissued to new applicants under the same conditions. The policy directly affects Westwood's licensing authority and qualifying large grocery stores seeking to sell alcohol off-premises.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Dec 2025
House Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Signed into Law
Jan 2026
Introduced Dec 8, 2025 Signed Jan 30, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
8
Committee
3
Jan 30, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor, Chapter 14 of the Acts of 2026
executive
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Enacted and laid before the Governor
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Enacted
lower
Jan 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third and passed to be engrossed
upper
Dec 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third and passed to be engrossed
lower
Dec 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting
lower
Dec 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
lower
Dec 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
lower
0 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.