Massachusetts’ historic and eventful summer is rolling on and a group of senators want to keep the party going.
Senators on Monday unveiled a “fun agenda” that was “inspired by the energy and conviviality” of events like the FIFA World Cup and temporary policies implemented for the event like loosened drinking laws, according to Sen. Julian Cyr’s office. The agenda is made up of 10 amendments to a policy-heavy $325 million economic development package (S 3178) senators plan to take up on Wednesday.
“Our fun agenda is about becoming the kind of state we want to be — a place with ample opportunity to gather together, enjoy shared moments and experience all that Massachusetts has to offer,” Cyr said. “We’ve been hearing from scores of people across the Commonwealth — from Governor Healey on down — that we need to bring a little more conviviality to Massachusetts. This summer has shown what’s possible when we embrace new ideas and make space for connection. Let’s keep the momentum going — our residents, small businesses, downtowns, and visitors will thank us for it.”
Ahead of a summer that drew visitors for events like the World Cup, 250th American Revolution celebrations and a fleet of tall ships, the Legislature enacted a temporary law allowing bars to extend last call beyond their license limit and until 3 a.m. at the latest. The law, which is about to expire (July 31), requires individual municipalities to opt in and also allows for public alcohol consumption “districts.”
The bill moved quickly through the Legislature and the initial proposal from Rep. Carole Fiola would have allowed later last calls and public drinking districts to begin on June 1 and expire on Aug. 31. The Senate version of the bill also adopted language from Cyr to extend the time allowing for public drinking districts through Sept. 7.
An economic development bill amendment (#309) from Sen. Robyn Kennedy would make the consumption districts permanent and another proposal from Sen. Pavel Payano (#293) would permanently allow municipalities to extend last call from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Gov. Maura Healey is supportive of making the temporary alcohol laws permanent along with bringing back happy hour in Massachusetts. An amendment from Cyr (#78) would create a local option for happy hour, which was banned in the Bay State in 1984 as part of an effort to address and prevent drunk driving.
“I used World Cup as an experience, as an opportunity to say we should extend bar hours, which we did, and I was glad to see that, so I’d like that to continue,” she said July 17 on WEEI sports radio. “So, you know, I’d like that to continue, and I’ve said the same about happy hour because again, it’s about a vibe and energy. And I’m really focused, as you know, like keeping 20-somethings here, keeping you know our young people here.”
Cyr’s local-option happy hour proposal was included in a Senate economic development bill last session, but did not survive conference committee negotiations. Also, similar legislation from Cyr and Rep. Samantha Montano (S 217 / H 443) to reinstate happy hour received pushback from hospitality groups including the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, which represents more than 1,800 restaurants. During a hearing on the bill held last July, Jessica Moore, MRA’s director of government affairs, said that bringing back happy hour could present more challenges for an already competitive restaurant industry.
On Tuesday, Moore said in a statement to the News Service that over the past few months, Massachusetts has become “a proven destination for tourists across the world.”
“By exploring late night alcohol service and social consumption districts we were able to see what was successful. We remain willing to work with the Legislature to strengthen our hospitality industry and the economy,” Moore said.
Another amendment from Payano (#171) would allow alcohol sales beginning at 8 a.m. on Sundays instead of the currently allowed 10 a.m. Representatives quietly added the policy to the sweeping economic development bill (H 5576) the House passed on July 8.
Senators’ efforts to boost conviviality in the state go beyond loosening alcohol policies.
An amendment from Sen. Dylan Fernandes (#20) would cap the resale prices of concert and live entertainment tickets at 110% of their original face value. The amendment would also limit resale fees to no more than 10%, prohibit the sale of speculative tickets that a seller doesn’t possess and ban marketing practices where a seller falsely implies they are affiliated with an artist or venue. Fernandes’ amendment is similar to a bill he filed and a proposal Healey unveiled last week that she plans to include in a future spending bill.
Healey and Fernandes said the proposal is meant to make attending concerts and live events more affordable. Opponents including industry groups like the Coalition for Ticket Fairness, Sports Fan Coalition and the Ticket Policy Forum argue the proposal doesn’t address a lack of competition in the primary ticket market, which they say is the root cause of soaring ticket prices.
An amendment (#595) from Sen. Paul Feeney leans on the popularity Scottish soccer fans - dubbed the Tartan Army - gained here during the World Cup. The amendment directs the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment to form a working group to recommend how the state can host international soccer matches annually or every two years. The amendment allocates $5 million for the planning and implementation of international soccer matches that would make up a new “Massachusetts Cup” tournament. The group’s specific tasks would include coordinating with the Scottish Football Association, the Consulate General of the United Kingdom and “other relevant international entities including nations with a significant diaspora in the Commonwealth,” according to the amendment.
Another proposal from Cyr (#354) would allocate $1 million for a grant program run by the Massachusetts Cultural Council that senators say aims to spur entertainment and nightlife. The grant would support individuals, businesses and organizations involved in public art, performance as well as cultural and community programming that “activates downtowns, commercial areas, cultural districts, gathering places and nightlife destinations and contributes to the cultural and economic vitality of cities and towns.”
Outdoor recreation is also in play. An amendment (#63) from Sen. Jo Comerford enacts within state law an Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The office was launched in December 2022 under former Gov. Charlie Baker and was focused on coordinating outdoor recreation policy, finding funding opportunities for outdoor recreation programs, boosting public access and recreation infrastructure, according to a press release from Baker’s office announcing the office.
Another amendment from Comerford (#70) allocates $10 million for grants for farm businesses, nonprofits, municipalities and regional tourism councils to boost agritourism activities in the state. The Senate unanimously passed legislation (S 3040) in April seeking to support the agricultural sector and agritourism industry as lawmakers have warned farms face economic and policy pressures.
Comerford is also proposing an amendment (#23) to create the Massachusetts Trail Access Fund for supporting access to outdoor trails, spaces and recreational activities for people of all ability levels.
“Massachusetts is a fun place to live and a fun place to visit,” Comerford said in a press release unveiling the agenda. “From outdoor recreation to agrotourism, rural Massachusetts offers boundless opportunities to enjoy and experience the wonders of natural and working land.
Sen. Adam Gomez said that regional equity is an underlying theme within the senators’ focus on fun.
”Massachusetts sits at the crossroads of New England and competes every day with neighboring states for visitors, businesses, and entertainment dollars,” Gomez said. “With venues in surrounding states operating around the clock, we must level the playing field and ensure our Gateway Cities have the tools to compete and thrive. Our restaurants, entertainment venues, cultural districts, and hospitality businesses are economic engines that create jobs, attract tourism, generate revenue, and keep our communities vibrant, and this legislation will help provide them with the resources and flexibility they need to remain relevant in a changing regional economy.”
The agenda makes up just 10 of the 595 amendments senators have filed to the economic development package that deal with a myriad of issues including housing, taxes and regulating artificial intelligence. The bill is up for consideration on Wednesday and Thursday and final details of the economic development legislation will eventually be drafted by a House-Senate conference committee.
