Massachusetts H5688: An Act authorizing the town of Wayland to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises

What the bill says

From the introduced text, October 13, 2026:

SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding section 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, the licensing authority of the town of Wayland may grant 10 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises pursuant to section 12 of said chapter 138 to establishments located within the 3 economic development zones as described in subsection (b) upon approval of and under conditions set by the licensing authority of the town of Wayland. A license granted under this act shall be clearly marked on its face either “Route 20”, “East Wayland”, or “Cochituate” as applicable, and shall be subject to all of said chapter 138 except said section 17. (b) The licensing authority shall restrict the 10 licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises authorized in this act as follows: (i) 6 licenses to establishments located within the “Route 20” zone; (ii) 2 licenses to establishments located within the “East Wayland” zone; and (iii) 2 licenses to establishments located within the “Cochituate” zone, as those areas are defined on a map entitled “Town of Wayland Liquor Licensing Locations” produced by the town of Wayland’s Clerk’s Office and dated August 17, 2026, a copy of which is on file in the office of the town clerk of the town of …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Licensure, Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional (I) · primary sponsor
• James Eldridge (D, Middlesex and Worcester)
• David Linsky (D, 5th Middlesex)

Latest actions

1. October 13, 2026: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling
2. October 13, 2026: New draft of H5481
3. October 13, 2026: Reported from the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Votes

• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (October 8, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is H5688?

H5688 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act authorizing the town of Wayland to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises.

What is the status of H5688?

In committee as of October 13, 2026. Latest action: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling (October 13, 2026).

Who sponsored H5688?

Licensure, Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional (I), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H5688?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5688