Lawmakers take a giant step toward legalizing joyful hour in Massachusetts.

politics

The Massachusetts Senate passed an amendment Thursday that might bring joyful hour to Massachusetts residents for the primary time in 4 many years.

State Senator Julian Cyr proposed the change in a broader Economic Development Act price $2.8 billionAn analogous amendment passed in 2022, and Cyr renewed his efforts to legalize the practice of discounted beverage sales with a bill last yr.

“It is really critical that we consider the significant economic boost for the nearly 19,000 restaurants and cafes in this Commonwealth that provide food, employment and a sense of community across the state,” Cyr told lawmakers on Thursday.

The change allows establishments to sell alcohol at a reduced price provided prices don’t change through the discount period, the discount is announced at the very least three days before the period and takes place before 10 p.m.

Massachusetts forbidden Happy Hour in 1984 to crack down on drunk driving. Since then, states like Kansas and Illinois have repealed similar bans and haven’t seen a rise in drunk driving-related cases, Cyr said.

“The health data shows that we are moving in the right direction. This could be an impetus to bring people back to our downtown areas and main streets,” Cyr said.

The amendment would allow cities and towns to set their very own joyful hour regulations that might apply only to certain parts of town. Cyr, who represents municipalities on the Cape and Islands, said some dry cities would abstain, while coastal communities should want to benefit from their seasonal economy.

Lawmakers discussed the bill and its amendments late into the night, although reported It was likely that it might pass. The bill would then land on the desk of Governor Maura Healey.

Cyr, nonetheless, said joyful hour wouldn’t only boost the economy. He said Massachusetts could use some “fun.” Lawmakers are already working to issue a whole lot of liquor licenses to neighborhoods like Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, East Boston, Roslindale, West Roxbury and Hyde Park, which have significantly fewer businesses with liquor licenses than neighborhoods like Back Bay or Seaport.

“I've heard that it's difficult for creatives and entrepreneurs to have fun here,” Cyr said. “There are a lot of rules, requirements and regulations. The entry fees are very high and I think we still need to work a bit on our fun factor.”