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H349 • 2025

An Act establishing a commission to consider happy hour in the Commonwealth

An Act establishing a commission to consider happy hour in the Commonwealth

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Mike Connolly
Last action
2025-11-17
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see H4733
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act establishing a commission to consider happy hour in the Commonwealth

An Act establishing a commission to consider happy hour in the Commonwealth By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act establishing a commission to consider happy hour in the Commonwealth By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
  • 349) of Mike Connolly for legislation to establish a special commission (including members of the General Court) to examine repealing restrictions on the offer and sale of discounted alcoholic beverages.
  • Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2025-11-17 House

    Accompanied a study order, see H4733

  2. 2025-06-26 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 07/07/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-2

  3. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

  4. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

Official Summary Text

An Act establishing a commission to consider happy hour in the Commonwealth
By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 349) of Mike Connolly for legislation to establish a special commission (including members of the General Court) to examine repealing restrictions on the offer and sale of discounted alcoholic beverages. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Current Bill Text

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Bill H.349

SECTION 1. (a) There shall be a special legislative commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to examine repealing restrictions on the offer and sale of discounted alcoholic beverages by persons licensed pursuant to chapter 138 of the General Laws.

(b) The special legislative commission shall consist of: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on community development and small businesses, who shall serve as co-chairs; 1 member of the house of representatives, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member of the senate, to be appointed by the senate president; 1 person with experience or expertise related to alcohol licensing, to be appointed by the governor; 4 members of geographically-diverse business improvement districts, as defined in section 1 of chapter 40O of the General Laws, main streets organizations or chambers of commerce, jointly appointed by the co-chairs; the president and chief executive officer of The Massachusetts Restaurant Association, Inc. or their designee; 1 person with industry expertise in alcohol distribution, jointly appointed by the co-chairs; 1 member of Massachusetts Citizens for Happy Hour; and the executive director of the Massachusetts affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving or their designee.

(c) The special legislative commission shall: (i) review and evaluate state and federal laws, regulations and legal advisories regarding the promotion and discounted sale of alcoholic beverages, including those in the state of Illinois; (ii) analyze how changes to the Massachusetts laws might aid restaurants and bars in their economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) examine how any proposed changes may be enacted with a primary focus on public safety, including but not limited to the incorporation of ride sharing services and other technology, messaging and training; (iv) assess changing trends in the workplace, including the likelihood of expanded “work-from-home” policies and how current trends may impact future business patterns at restaurants and bars; (v) consider the needs of different regions of the commonwealth and different types of restaurants and bars within the context of the overall hospitality industry; and (vi) assess the potential impacts casinos have on the alcohol sales of nearby restaurant and bar.

(d) Not later than April 1, 2026, the commission shall submit a report of its findings, including recommendations for legislation, if any, with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate.

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