The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts House Bill 36 removes contiguity rules for alcohol licenses, alters character evaluations, and extends appeal timelines
Last action · July 23, 2025: Accompanied a new draft, see H4285
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What This Bill Would Do
Massachusetts House Bill 36 removes the requirement that certain licensed areas and premises be , establishes new character standard evaluations for alcohol license applicants, and extends license appeal or review timelines from five to ten business days.
Alcohol license applicants and holders face altered physical setup rules, modified background scrutiny by , and adjusted timelines for regulatory appeals.
- House Bill 36 was filed based on recommendations from the Department of the State Treasurer concerning the modernization of Massachusetts alcohol laws. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Alcohol license applicants
Applicants must satisfy new character standards established for licensing review.
Licensing authorities
Authorities must evaluate applicant character and operate under updated review timelines of ten business days.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes does H.36 make regarding licensed premises locations?
How are license applicant character standards affected?
What timeline changes are included in the legislation?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- Jul 23, 2025HouseAccompanied a new draft, see H4285
- May 5, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 05/12/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-2
- Feb 27, 2025SenateSenate concurred
- Feb 27, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance50How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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