Bill Sponsors
LaMountain, Felag, Burke, Gallo, Tikoian, Ciccone, Britto, Raptakis, Bissaillon, and Murray
Committee
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Summary
Select
This bill allows establishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption to apply for temporary extended hours during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If approved by their local licensing authority, these businesses can stay open indoors until 4:00 a.m. and serve alcohol until 3:00 a.m. on specific match dates in June and July 2026. Businesses must apply at least 14 days in advance and do not have to pay an application fee. Local authorities have the right to approve or reject these applications for any reason.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Supports service industry workers by providing opportunities for increased tips and wages during a major, high-demand international event.
- Fosters multicultural community gathering spaces, allowing diverse immigrant populations to safely congregate and celebrate their home countries in the tournament.
- Removes financial barriers to entry by explicitly prohibiting application fees, ensuring smaller, minority-owned establishments can participate without an upfront cost burden.
Cons for Progressives
- Gives local authorities the power to reject applications "for any reason," which could lead to discriminatory denials against minority-owned venues or marginalized communities.
- May pressure service industry workers into working grueling, late-night shifts until 4:00 a.m., disrupting their sleep, family life, and reliance on public transit.
- Increased late-night alcohol consumption could lead to public safety and health issues that disproportionately impact the lower-income neighborhoods where these venues operate.
Pros for Conservatives
- Promotes free enterprise and business freedom by allowing establishments to maximize their revenue during a high-demand, global event.
- Reduces government red tape and financial burdens on private businesses by explicitly forbidding municipalities from charging application fees for the extension.
- Maintains strong local control by allowing municipal licensing authorities to approve or reject the extensions based on their own community standards.
Cons for Conservatives
- Allowing alcohol service until 3:00 a.m. could increase public drunkenness, noise, and disorder, conflicting with traditional community values and public order.
- Limits the free market by restricting these extended hours exclusively to specific dates rather than permanently deregulating business operating hours.
- Restricts private property rights by mandating that the extended hours apply strictly to "indoor areas," preventing businesses from utilizing their outdoor spaces.
Constitutional Concerns
Allowing local licensing authorities to reject an application "for any reason" poses a potential Equal Protection and Due Process risk. If a municipality rejects an application based on a protected class (e.g., race or national origin of the patrons), or does so entirely arbitrarily, this broad statutory language could be challenged. However, states generally possess broad authority under the 21st Amendment to regulate alcohol sales.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Bars and restaurants
- Bartenders and waitstaff
- Soccer fans
- Local licensing authorities
- Police departments
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
Amount unknown
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Freedom Impact
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Public Services
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 02/13/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
• 04/24/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/29/2026)
• 04/24/2026 Proposed Substitute
• 04/29/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A
• 04/30/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (05/07/2026)
• 05/07/2026 Senate passed Sub A
• 05/08/2026 Referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
• 05/08/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/12/2026)
• 05/12/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A in concurrence
• 05/22/2026 Placed on House Calendar (05/28/2026)
• 05/28/2026 House passed Sub A in concurrence
• 05/28/2026 Transmitted to Governor
• 05/29/2026 Signed by Governor
• 04/24/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/29/2026)
• 04/24/2026 Proposed Substitute
• 04/29/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A
• 04/30/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (05/07/2026)
• 05/07/2026 Senate passed Sub A
• 05/08/2026 Referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
• 05/08/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/12/2026)
• 05/12/2026 Committee recommends passage of Sub A in concurrence
• 05/22/2026 Placed on House Calendar (05/28/2026)
• 05/28/2026 House passed Sub A in concurrence
• 05/28/2026 Transmitted to Governor
• 05/29/2026 Signed by Governor
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Title 3 of the General Laws entitled "ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER 7.1 TEMPORARY EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS
3-7.1-1. Authorization of temporary extended service hours.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, any person or establishment possessing the qualifications and meeting the requirements of this title that is licensed to sell intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on premises in any city or town in this state may, for the periods authorized in § 3-7.1-2, operate twenty-four (24) hours a day and sell, serve and allow for the consumption of alcoholic beverages between the hours of six o’clock (6:00) a.m. and five o’clock (5:00) a.m. of the following day. This temporary extension of service hours shall apply to all licensed areas at a licensed establishment. The provisions of this title relating to hours of operation, time of closing or opening, or hours of sale of intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on the premises shall not apply to such licenses for the duration of the temporary extension period, except as provided in § 3-7.1-3.
3-7.1-2. Periods authorized for temporary extension of service hours.
The provisions of this chapter are authorized from June 11, 2026, through July 19, 2026 (2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament).
3-7.1-3. Municipal modifications-Procedures.
(a) A municipality may opt out, limit, or modify the extended operation and service hours or areas provided under this chapter within their jurisdiction via a resolution of the city or town council, but not less than normal permissible service hours and areas.
(b) Licensees shall not be required to submit any application or pay any fee for the purposes of the temporary extensions granted under this chapter.
(c) Licensees intending to operate during the temporary extended services hours shall notify the local licensing authority or police department at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of operating under the temporary extended service hours granted under this chapter.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
3-7.1-1. Authorization of temporary extended service hours.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, any person or establishment possessing the qualifications and meeting the requirements of this title that is licensed to sell intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on premises in any city or town in this state may, for the periods authorized in § 3-7.1-2, operate twenty-four (24) hours a day and sell, serve and allow for the consumption of alcoholic beverages between the hours of six o’clock (6:00) a.m. and five o’clock (5:00) a.m. of the following day. This temporary extension of service hours shall apply to all licensed areas at a licensed establishment. The provisions of this title relating to hours of operation, time of closing or opening, or hours of sale of intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on the premises shall not apply to such licenses for the duration of the temporary extension period, except as provided in § 3-7.1-3.
3-7.1-2. Periods authorized for temporary extension of service hours.
The provisions of this chapter are authorized from June 11, 2026, through July 19, 2026 (2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament).
3-7.1-3. Municipal modifications-Procedures.
(a) A municipality may opt out, limit, or modify the extended operation and service hours or areas provided under this chapter within their jurisdiction via a resolution of the city or town council, but not less than normal permissible service hours and areas.
(b) Licensees shall not be required to submit any application or pay any fee for the purposes of the temporary extensions granted under this chapter.
(c) Licensees intending to operate during the temporary extended services hours shall notify the local licensing authority or police department at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of operating under the temporary extended service hours granted under this chapter.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
SECTION 1. Title 3 of the General Laws entitled "ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER 7.1 TEMPORARY EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS
3-7.1-1. Authorization of temporary extended service hours.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, any person or establishment possessing the qualifications and meeting the requirements of this title that is licensed to sell intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on premises in any city or town in this state may, for the periods authorized in § 3-7.1-2, apply to their licensing authority at least fourteen (14) days in advance to:
(1) Operate beyond its normal closing time and until up to four o’clock (4:00) a.m.; and
(2) To sell, serve and allow for the consumption of alcoholic beverages beyond its normal cut off time and until up to three o’clock (3:00) a.m.
(b) This temporary extension of service hours shall apply only to indoor areas at licensed establishments, and shall not be applicable to any special permits issued by a licensing authority unless explicitly granted by that body.
(c) The provisions of this title relating to hours of operation, time of closing or opening, or hours of sale of intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on the premises shall not apply to such licenses approved for any temporary extension period, except as provided in § 3-7.1- 3.
3-7.1-2. Periods authorized for temporary extension of service hours.
The provisions of this chapter are authorized only for the dates enumerated herein and for the express purpose of offering public watch opportunities for 2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament matches beginning on any of the following dates and continuing through the authorized period granted by the local licensing authority in the morning of the succeeding day in calendar year 2026: June 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27; July 2, and 3.
3-7.1-3. Municipal authorization-Procedures.
(a) A licensing authority may authorize or reject in full or in part for any reason an application by a licensee for the extended operation and service hours or areas provided under this chapter within their jurisdiction.
(b) Licensees shall not be required to submit any application fee for the purposes of the temporary extensions granted under this chapter.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
3-7.1-1. Authorization of temporary extended service hours.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, any person or establishment possessing the qualifications and meeting the requirements of this title that is licensed to sell intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on premises in any city or town in this state may, for the periods authorized in § 3-7.1-2, apply to their licensing authority at least fourteen (14) days in advance to:
(1) Operate beyond its normal closing time and until up to four o’clock (4:00) a.m.; and
(2) To sell, serve and allow for the consumption of alcoholic beverages beyond its normal cut off time and until up to three o’clock (3:00) a.m.
(b) This temporary extension of service hours shall apply only to indoor areas at licensed establishments, and shall not be applicable to any special permits issued by a licensing authority unless explicitly granted by that body.
(c) The provisions of this title relating to hours of operation, time of closing or opening, or hours of sale of intoxicating liquor by the drink at retail for consumption on the premises shall not apply to such licenses approved for any temporary extension period, except as provided in § 3-7.1- 3.
3-7.1-2. Periods authorized for temporary extension of service hours.
The provisions of this chapter are authorized only for the dates enumerated herein and for the express purpose of offering public watch opportunities for 2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament matches beginning on any of the following dates and continuing through the authorized period granted by the local licensing authority in the morning of the succeeding day in calendar year 2026: June 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27; July 2, and 3.
3-7.1-3. Municipal authorization-Procedures.
(a) A licensing authority may authorize or reject in full or in part for any reason an application by a licensee for the extended operation and service hours or areas provided under this chapter within their jurisdiction.
(b) Licensees shall not be required to submit any application fee for the purposes of the temporary extensions granted under this chapter.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
Changes from S2627A:
The amended bill reduces extended hours from 24-hour operation to closing at 4:00 a.m. and stopping alcohol service at 3:00 a.m. It restricts extensions to indoor areas on specific 2026 World Cup match dates rather than a continuous period. It also replaces the 24-hour notification with a 14-day advance application subject to municipal approval.
- Operating hours changed from twenty-four (24) hours a day to operating beyond normal closing time up to 4:00 a.m.
- Alcohol service hours changed from between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. to extending beyond normal cut-off up to 3:00 a.m.
- Extended service areas are now limited to "indoor areas" only, rather than "all licensed areas," and exclude special permits unless explicitly granted.
- The authorized period changed from a continuous block (June 11, 2026, through July 19, 2026) to specific enumerated dates corresponding to World Cup matches.
- Replaced the automatic extension (which only required a 24-hour advance notice to police) with a requirement to apply to the local licensing authority at least 14 days in advance.
- Municipal procedures changed from an "opt-out" model via city or town council resolution to allowing the licensing authority to authorize or reject individual applications.
- Removed the provision stating licensees are not required to submit an application, now specifying only that they are not required to submit an application *fee*.
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The amended bill reduces extended hours from 24-hour operation to closing at 4:00 a.m. and stopping alcohol service at 3:00 a.m. It restricts extensions to indoor areas on specific 2026 World Cup match dates rather than a continuous period. It also replaces the 24-hour notification with a 14-day advance application subject to municipal approval.
- Operating hours changed from twenty-four (24) hours a day to operating beyond normal closing time up to 4:00 a.m.
- Alcohol service hours changed from between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. to extending beyond normal cut-off up to 3:00 a.m.
- Extended service areas are now limited to "indoor areas" only, rather than "all licensed areas," and exclude special permits unless explicitly granted.
- The authorized period changed from a continuous block (June 11, 2026, through July 19, 2026) to specific enumerated dates corresponding to World Cup matches.
- Replaced the automatic extension (which only required a 24-hour advance notice to police) with a requirement to apply to the local licensing authority at least 14 days in advance.
- Municipal procedures changed from an "opt-out" model via city or town council resolution to allowing the licensing authority to authorize or reject individual applications.
- Removed the provision stating licensees are not required to submit an application, now specifying only that they are not required to submit an application *fee*.
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