On Tuesday afternoon, Beacon Hill lawmakers will consider a bill to proliferate the number of liquor licenses in Boston by streamlining the licensing process. The brainchild of Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, the measure is intended to remove the liquor license cap adopted by the city and vest more licensing power to the Licensing Board of the City of Boston.

The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure is hosting a hearing Tuesday to consider Bill H.3913 (see: below) , a reformation of the current liquor license regulations pertaining to the City of Boston. Per the legislation, Boston would be able to set limits on liquor licenses at its own discretion, increase members of the licensing board, and grant appointment power to the mayor.

Currently, the Boston Licensing Board is able to grant up to 692 alcoholic beverage licenses pursuant to this law, and another 250 based on this. The licensing board consists of three members, all appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts.

According to the proposition, should it be signed into law, the licensing board will consider public need, innovative business models that offer unique products and services, and establish a process for the distribution of the licenses before issuing anything. They will, however, make “main street districts, urban renewal areas, empowerment zones or municipal harbor plan areas” a priority to receive new licenses.

It will also give Mayor Marty Walsh the authority to promote an additional two board members, upping the total to five, pending confirmation by the City Council.

The idea of Pressley’s petition isn’t to put on a municipal power play, though it does inadvertently increase the authority of both the mayor and City Council. Rather, it’s goal is to further open up Boston to new business, to make it more attractive and lucrative to outsiders looking to set up shop in a prosperous metro area.

Mayor Walsh, in tandem with the state government, has helped to bring late night MBTA service to Boston to cater to the needs of young professionals as well as businesses, particularly those that boast liquor licenses. Solid ridership will make the program successful from a public transit angle. Similarly more restaurants, bars and a higher volume of general night life will make it successful from the commercial point of view.

By doing this, Mayor Walsh and his constituents hope to not only foster young talent, but attract it as well.

Plenty of Boston eateries are unable to obtain liquor licenses, concentrating much of the alcoholic beverage business in popular tourist destinations like the North End and Back Bay. Lifting the cap is expected to more evenly distribute licenses to better plant the seeds of an economic upswing across Boston neighborhoods.

What do you think about the push to let Boston handle the liquor license process directly, without having to go through the state? Is it a good move for Boston and its economic landscape? Will we all simply end up drinking more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Massachusetts House Bill 3913 relative to alcoholic beverage licenses

You can read more stories on Boston startups, technology and innovation at https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/inno