The Overview
Gov. Maura Healey (D) signed a bill on Sept. 16, 2026, letting the city of Salem turn seasonal alcohol licenses into year-round licenses. For Salem's restaurants and bars, alcohol service no longer has to stop when the season ends, even while customers are still coming in.
What the Law Does
The law lets Salem convert existing seasonal on-premises alcohol licenses into annual licenses, so holders can serve alcohol on site all year. The city's Licensing Board, which handles licenses for more than 400 establishments, oversees alcohol licensing in Salem. In practice, a restaurant or bar that used to stop serving alcohol when its season ended could seek an upgrade to a license that runs all twelve months.
Legislative Status
The bill was led by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, with Rep. Manny Cruz (D) and Sen. Joan B. Lovely (D) as cosponsors. State House News Service reported that the House ordered the bill to a third reading on March 9, 2026. The bill cleared key votes on April 13 and Sept. 10 and became law on Sept. 14, as Chapter 216 of the Acts of 2026.
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