Measure on the ballot in the 2022 Massachusetts General Election in Massachusetts.
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Get StartedThis proposed law would increase the statewide limits on the combined number of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption (including licenses for "all alcoholic beverages" and for "wines and malt beverages") that any one retailer could own or control: from 9 to 12 licenses in 2023; to 15 licenses in 2027; and to 18 licenses in 2031. Beginning in 2023, the proposed law would set a maximum number of "all alcoholic beverages" licenses that any one retailer could own or control at 7 licenses unless a retailer currently holds more than 7 such licenses. The proposed law would require retailers to conduct the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption through face-to-face transactions and would prohibit automated or self-checkout sales of alcoholic beverages by such retailers. The proposed law would alter the calculation of the fine that the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission may accept in lieu of suspending any license issued under the State Liquor Control Act. The proposed law would modify the formula for calculating such fee from being based on the gross profits on the sale of alcoholic beverages to being based on the gross profits on all retail sales.The proposed law would also add out-of-state motor vehicle licenses to the list of the forms of identification that any holder of a license issued under the State Liquor Control Act, or their agent or employee, may choose to reasonably rely on for proof of a person's identity and age.
A "yes" vote supports increasing the number of licenses a retailer could have for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be consumed off premises, limiting the number of "all-alcoholic beverages" licenses that a retailer could acquire, restricting use of self-checkout, and requiring retailers to accept customers' out-of-state identification.
A "no" vote opposes changing the laws governing the retail sale of alcoholic beverages.
"The ballot initiative prevents out of state corporate interests from securing marketplace control of alcohol beverages that replaces local retail." - Massachusetts Package Stores Association, Inc., in support of Question 3: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition (Learn more)
"We consider this to be overreach and a blatant attempt to stifle competition from businesses that seek to offer a wide array of products." - RAM General Counsel Ryan Kearney, in opposition to Question 3: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition (Learn more)
Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 3, 2022? This proposed law would increase the statewide limits on the combined number of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption (including licenses for "all alcoholic beverages" and for "wines and malt beverages") that any one retailer could own or control: from 9 to 12 licenses in 2023; to 15 licenses in 2027; and to 18 licenses in 2031. Beginning in 2023, the proposed law would set a maximum number of "all alcoholic beverages" licenses that any one retailer could own or control at 7 licenses unless a retailer currently holds more than 7 such licenses. The proposed law would require retailers to conduct the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption through face-to-face transactions and would prohibit automated or self-checkout sales of alcoholic beverages by such retailers. The proposed law would alter the calculation of the fine that the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission may accept in lieu of suspending any license issued under the State Liquor Control Act. The proposed law would modify the formula for calculating such fee from being based on the gross profits on the sale of alcoholic beverages to being based on the gross profits on all retail sales. The proposed law would also add out-of-state motor vehicle licenses to the list of the forms of identification that any holder of a license issued under the State Liquor Control Act, or their agent or employee, may choose to reasonably rely on for proof of a person's identity and age.
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