Manager on Record - Bill S.206
This year Massachusetts Restaurants United worked with Senator O’Connor of First Plymouth and Norfolk to draft and introduce Bill S.206.
Bill S.206: An act relative to the citizenship requirement to be appointed manager on license for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
SECTION 1. Section 26 of Chapter 138 of General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “United States “in line 4 the following words:- “or a qualified alien under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101” And by inserting after the words “United States” in line 16 the following words:- “or a qualified alien under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101.”
MRU Summary
Currently, in order to receive a liquor license, a licensee must designate a manager.
The current ABCC manager application must include the following items :
1) Manager Application
2) CORI Authorization
3) Vote of the Entity
4) Proof of Citizenship
5) Payment Receipt
Bill S206 would amend current legislation to allow a qualified alien under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101 to be a manager on license.
Why is this important for the restaurant industry?
The law, as it currently stands, is a barrier to advancement within our industry and has prevented owners from promoting the most qualified employee for this role.
The current law has also prevented restaurant owners from being the manager on their own license.
In the restaurant industry, 1 of 5 employees is foreign-born; the restaurant industry is one of the top employers of immigrants.
Scarce labor continues to be one of the main challenges the restaurant industry faces; qualifications not mandated or required in other states puts Massachusetts restaurant owners at a disadvantage for promoting top candidates for managerial roles.
Bill History:
2/16/2023 - Senate - Referred to the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
2/16/2021 - House - House Concurred
5/10/2023 - Joint - Hearing scheduled for 5/15/2023 from 1:00pm-4:00pm in A-2
Presenter:
Petitioners:
Patrick M. O'Connor First Plymouth and Norfolk
Lydia Edwards Third Suffolk
In the News:
https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/18/massachusetts-liquor-license-citizenship
Ways to help:
Email director@massrestaurantsunited.com to help see this bill through to the finish line!
Don’t have the time to advocate? Simply email your local representatives with the below sample letter:
To: (add your local legislators here)
I am writing to ask for your support in joining Senator O’ Connor and Co-Sponsor S206: An act relative to the citizenship requirement to be appointed manager on license for the sale of alcoholic beverages. I also ask that you request chairs Rep. Tackey Chan and Senator John Cronin of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to move this bill out of committee and bring it to the floor for a vote.
Currently, in order to receive a liquor license, a licensee must designate a manager. The current ABCC manager application must include the following items : 1) Manager Application 2) CORI Authorization 3) Vote of the Entity 4) Proof of Citizenship 5) Payment Receipt.
Bill S206 would amend current legislation to allow a qualified alien under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101 to be a manager on license.
Why is this important for the restaurant industry?
The law, as it currently stands, is a barrier to advancement within our industry, and has prevented owners from being able to promote the most qualified employee for this role.
The current law has also prevented restaurant owners from being the manager on their own license.
In the restaurant industry, 1 of 5 employees is foreign-born; the restaurant industry is one of the top employers of immigrants.
Scarce labor continues to be one of the main challenges the restaurant industry faces; qualifications not mandated or required in other states puts Massachusetts restaurant owners at a disadvantage for promoting top candidates for managerial roles.
I hope you will join Massachusetts Restaurants United and Senator O’ Connor for the quick passing of this bill. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
For additional questions, or to schedule a meeting, please contact
Nancy Caswell (508) 542-4772 or Stephanie Burke (415) 244-2994.
Respectfully, (your name)