Massachusetts bill aims to loosen liquor license citizenship requirement
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Fernando Rosas, owner of Bono, is one of several restaurateurs who support loosening citizenship requirements in the state's liquor license law. Photo: Steph Solis/Axios
Restaurants of all kinds can buy a liquor license in Massachusetts, a document that could cost well over a quarter-million dollars.
- But the business owner can't be listed as the manager of record unless they're a U.S. citizen.
Driving the news: A bill aims to change that state law to let non-citizens who have legal status become the manager listed on a liquor license, a crucial requirement for businesses seeking approval from licensing boards.
Why it matters: Small business owners supporting the proposal say current law effectively excludes immigrant-owned enterprises and hamstrings American business owners who want to promote non-citizens to management positions.
- The restrictions, they tell Axios, add red tape and expenses at a time when businesses are struggling to retain workers and keep costs down.
Flashback: The restrictions stem from a 1933 liquor law, which stated only citizens can obtain liquor licenses.
- But Boston's licensing board started limiting liquor licenses to "bona fide citizens" as early as 1908, according to an annual report from the agency.
State of play: The bill, filed by state Sen. Patrick O'Connor (R-Weymouth), had multiple committee hearings in May. Lawmakers have until next year to move it forward.
- The status quo is "antiquated," O'Connor told Axios. He said it makes "perfect common sense to be able to put this legislation forward."
Zoom in: Fernando Rosas, owner of Bono in East Boston, applied for a beer and wine license in 2021. He learned only after applying that he couldn't be the manager on record because he wasn't a citizen.
- At the time, Rosas had applied for citizenship, but the pandemic delayed the approval process.
What they're saying: "I felt so stupid ... I didn't mean to hurt anybody or mean to waste anybody's time," Rosas told Axios. "I didn't mean to waste my money or time, either, but surely I did."
- His business eventually received permission from the board when he made his wife, a citizen, the manager of record and majority-owner.
Yes, but: Thanks to Boston's cap on liquor licenses, Rosas still has not been able to secure an official license yet.
Between the lines: Stephanie Burke, co-owner of Lenny's Hideaway in Cohasset, brought the issue to O'Connor after learning she and her husband couldn't make a longtime employee their manager of record.
- "I think that people will be surprised that this is a requirement and surprised that it's been under the radar for so long," Burke told Axios.
- But just because the issue hasn't gotten much attention in recent years "doesn't mean it's not creating a lot of hardship and barriers for people," Burke said.