COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

By His Excellency

EDWARD J. KING
Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 176

ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL COMMISSION ON THE LAWS AND 
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

    WHEREAS, many laws and regulations governing the alcoholic beverage
industry in Massachusetts have become archaic or have been amended so frequently
that their interpretation has become vague and misleading; and 

    WHEREAS, consumers, sellers and distributors have all suffered as a result of
this confusion; and

    WHEREAS, the alcoholic beverage industry generates approximately $90
million in important tax revenues for the Commonwealth; and

    WHEREAS, the economic future of our Commonwealth will be strengthened by
the simplification and streamlining of laws and regulations pertaining to commerce;

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, Edward J. King, Governor of the Commonwealth, by
virtue of the authority vested in me as Supreme executive magistrate, do hereby
order as follows:

    1.   There is hereby created a Special Commission on the Laws and
Regulations Governing the Alcoholic Beverage Industry to consist of fourteen
members appointed by the Governor.  They shall include two designees of the
President of the Senate, two designees of the Speaker of the House, two representa- 
tives of the retail alcohol industry, two representatives of the wholesale alcohol
industry, two representatives of the malt beverage industry, a member of the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, a representative of the restaurant industry,
a representative of a labor organization whose membership includes a substantial
number employed in the alcoholic beverage industry, and a consumer representative.
From the membership, the Governor shall designate a Chairperson.

    2.   The Commission shall review all laws and regulations pertaining to the
licensing of establishments selling alcoholic beverages and the sale and supply of
alcoholic beverages in general and shall report within 60 days of its establishment
measures necessary to implement proper reform of the existing statutes in this area,
including recommended legislation for the present legislative session.  After consult-
ing with the Governor's Commission to Simplify Rules and Regulations (Executive
Order No. 155), the Commission shall also report, if necessary, measures to
implement proper regulations in this area.

    3.   All State departments and agencies shall cooperate with the
Commission in its activities.

    4.   The Commission will continue in existence until its recommendations
have been implemented or until abolished or restructured by further Executive Order.

Given at the Executive Chamber in 
Boston this 28th day of March
in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine
hundred and eighty and of the
Independence of the United States of
America two hundred and four.

EDWARD J. KING
GOVERNOR
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY
Secretary of the Commonwealth

GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS