The House and Senate are scheduled to complete their work on all bills (including the budget) by June 4th.  After June 4th, the Legislature will be focused on the resolution of differences in House and Senate passed versions of the same bill.  In some cases, one body will simply decide to agree with the version of the bill passed by the other body.  In other cases, the House and Senate will decide to resolve their differences through the Committee of Conference process. 

The State Fiscal Year 2010/2011 Budget (HB 1 and HB 2)

The House passed its version of the budget on April 8th. The Senate Finance Committee completed its work on May 28th.  The full Senate will vote no later than June 4th.  Because there are significant differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget, both HB 1 and HB 2 will likely be assigned to Committees of Conference, which could begin meeting as soon as June 5th.  Key points of interest:

The Governor’s Budget funded the Alcohol Fund at $2.8 M per year; the House Budget restored the Alcohol Fund to level funding ($4.1 M per year); the Senate Finance Committee recommendation is $3.8 M per year. 

The House added a provision in HB 2 to Transfer of the Liquor Commission Bureau of Enforcement and Licensing from the Liquor Commission to the Department of Safety.  The Senate Finance Committee recommendation is to remove the transfer provisions added by the House and replace them with a committee to study the issue.

New Futures will be working with the Committees of Conference to restore level funding for the Alcohol Fund and to make sure that the Bureau of Enforcement and Licensing stay within the Liquor Commission.  

Other Bills of Interest

“Modernization” of Liquor Commission.  Provisions related to modernizing Liquor Commission operations have appeared in a number of different bills this session – SB 181 (has been re-referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee and is no longer active this session); HB 429 (which started in the House as a simple bill on cider and was amended in the Senate to include various provisions related to Liquor Commission operations); and HB 2 (which now includes a number of Liquor Commission provisions).  New Futures is paying careful attention to these various bills to ensure that any provisions related to the Liquor Commission do not present risks to communities and youth.

HB 410 (relative to the licensure of alcohol and drug counselors).  This bill has been retained by the House committee on Executive Departments and Administration (ED&A) in an effort to reach resolution on the issue of how best to allow MLADCs with appropriate education and training to provide treatment to individuals with a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental illness.  The licensing subcommittee of House ED&A has already begun to work on the bill. 

Related Issues

We are also following proposed changes in the taxation of alcoholic products in Massachusetts and Vermont because of their possible impact on the ability of the Liquor Commission to raise additional revenue.  The Massachusetts House and Senate recently raised the state sales tax from 5% to 6.25% and removed the exemption from the sales tax for all alcoholic beverages.  Vermont is considering an increase in its liquor tax.

If you would like more information about these or other legislative issues, please contact Tricia Lucas at 225-9540.