The General Assembly is Maryland’s legislative body. The legislature meets in regular session for 90 days each year beginning the second Wednesday in January to act on more than 2,500 pieces of legislation.

On sine die, when the legislature adjourned its 439^th session at midnight on the 90th day, on April 8, 2019, a total of 864 bills and 2 resolutions passed both chambers. Most of the legislation enacted in that 2019 General Assembly session, including those bills involving matters of alcoholic beverages, were effective on October 1, 2019.

This is a compilation of the more than 60 new laws involving alcoholic beverages. You can read each of the bills highlighted below at General Assembly.

Savvy players in the alcoholic beverage industrial complex will find business opportunities to lead and profit in matters of beer, wine and spirits, including opportunities advantaged by these newly enacted laws.

Statewide Alcoholic Beverages Regulation

In Maryland, alcoholic beverages manufacturers and wholesalers are regulated by the State Comptroller’s Office, while alcoholic beverages retailers are regulated by local boards of license commissioners. House Bill 1052 (passed) establishes the new Alcohol and Tobacco Commission and transferring most of the staff, powers, and duties related to alcoholic beverages and tobacco from the Comptroller’s Office to ATC. The Governor vetoed the legislation, but the General Assembly overrode the veto during the 2019 session. The new ATC consists of five members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

In January 2017, the alcoholic beverage distributor Diageo announced plans to open a Guinness brewery in Baltimore County. At that time, the law regulating on-premises sales and sampling for Class 5 breweries limited the sale and sampling to 500 barrels of beer each year. In 2017 the legislature made significant changes the manner in which Class 5 breweries were regulated to accommodate Diageo. This year, Senate Bill 801/House Bill 1010 (both passed) further enhance the privileges associated with a Class 5 brewery license, a Class 7 micro-brewery license, and a Class 8 farm brewery license. Among other things, the bills increase to 5,000 barrels the amount of beer that Class 5 and Class 7 breweries may sell each year for on-premises consumption, allow Class 5 breweries to brew and bottle malt beverages at the locations described on their individual storage permits, authorize Class 7 breweries to brew up to 45,000 barrels of malt beverages each calendar year, and authorize certain Class 5, Class 7, and Class 8 breweries to self-distribute up to 5,000 barrels of their own beer through the use of a Class 7 limited beer wholesaler’s license. The bills also set the hours of sale for Class 8 farm breweries at 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Established in 1974, the Beer Franchise Fair Dealing Act regulates the agreements, franchises, and relationships between beer manufacturers and their distributors (wholesalers). Among other things, the Act prohibits a brewery from terminating a contract with a distributor without good cause. Senate Bill 704/House Bill 1080 (both passed) shorten the franchise agreement termination process for a brewery that produces 20,000 or fewer barrels of beer per year. Such a brewery must wait 45 days, rather than 180 days, after notifying a distributor of its intent to terminate or refuse to renew a beer franchise agreement before terminating the agreement. Additionally, such a brewery is authorized to terminate or refuse to continue or renew a franchise agreement without good cause and is no longer required to give its distributor an opportunity to correct a deficiency if that is the reason the agreement is being terminated. However, the bills require the brewery to compensate the distributor for the fair market value of the terminated franchise and establish an arbitration process if the brewery and the distributor cannot otherwise reach a compensation agreement.

Mead is a fermented alcoholic beverage made primarily of honey and water. Production of mead dates to 9,000 years ago. Mead is categorized as a honey wine for federal excise tax purposes. As a result, mead has historically been considered a wine in Maryland for regulatory purposes, even though State law is silent on the issue, and has been taxed accordingly. Senate Bill 596 (passed) reclassifies mead by expanding the definition of “beer” to include mead and applies the same alcoholic beverages tax rate to mead that is imposed on beer.

A Class 1 distillery license authorizes the establishment and operation of a plant for distilling any amount of brandy, rum, whiskey, alcohol, and neutral spirits at the location described in the license. A Class 1 distillery license also authorizes the license holder to conduct guided tours; serve samples; and sell up to 2.25 liters of products manufactured on the licensed premises, for consumption off the licensed premises, and related merchandise, to persons of legal drinking age who participate in a guided tour of the licensed premises.

House Bill 549 (passed) authorizes a local alcoholic beverages licensing board to issue an on-site consumption permit to the holder of a Class 1 distillery license. The permit authorizes the sale of mixed drinks made from liquor produced by the distillery and other non-alcoholic ingredients for on-premises consumption. A distillery may only use up to 7,750 gallons of its own liquor for this purpose each year.

In 2016 the legislature authorized the Comptroller to grant a distillery off-site permit to a Class 1 distillery licensee or a Class 9 limited distillery licensee. House Bill 551 (passed) increases the number of farmers’ markets and other events that a distillery or limited distillery may participate in using a distillery off-site permit. Specifically, the bill repeals the 5-event limit on the number of farmers’ markets for which the permit may be used, and authorizes the permit to be used to participate in up to 32, rather than 6, other events each year.

House Bill 666 (passed) generally combines the nonprofit beer festival permit, nonprofit wine festival permit, and nonprofit liquor festival permit into a single nonprofit beer, wine, and liquor festival permit.

In general, an individual may not consume an alcoholic beverage in public nor possess an alcoholic beverage in an open container in public. House Bill 88 (passed) establishes that consuming or possessing an alcoholic beverage in this manner is a code violation and a civil offense rather than a criminal misdemeanor. Under the bill, a violator receives a civil citation rather than being subject to arrest.

Local Alcoholic Beverages Legislation

Allegany County. Senate Bill 667/House Bill 866 (both passed) authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue a Class D (on-sale) beer and wine arts and entertainment district license to a for-profit festival promoter for use at an entertainment event held in an arts and entertainment district in the county. In addition, the bills authorize the board to issue a Class L beer, wine, and liquor license to the holder of a manufacturer’s license. The Class L license authorizes the holder to sell or provide samples of beer, wine, and liquor produced by the holder or by another manufacturer’s licensee for on-premises consumption during the hours of sale applicable to the underlying manufacturer’s license.

Anne Arundel County. House Bill 770 (passed) authorizes the Board of License Commissioners to issue more than one Class B, Class H, or Class BLX license to an individual already holding an interest in a license of a similar class. The interest may be held, controlled by direct or indirect ownership, stock ownership, interlocking directors or interlocking stock ownership, or any other direct or indirect manner. However, the other license type and interest must not be for a franchise operation or chain store operation.

House Bill 459 (passed) requires an alcoholic beverages license holder or an employee in a supervisory capacity or both certified by an approved alcohol awareness program and be present on the licensed premises at all times when alcoholic beverages may be sold. For a first offense, a license holder who violates these requirements is subject to a $100 fine. For each subsequent offense, the license holder is subject to a fine of up to $500, or a suspension or revocation of the license, or both.

Senate Bill 309/House Bill 374 (both passed) expand the hours of operation and privileges of a racetrack alcoholic beverages license. The license holder may sell alcoholic beverages Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following day. The bills allow the playing of music and dancing on the licensed premises. The bills also establish a racetrack concessionaire license for qualifying concessionaires to sell beer, wine, and liquor on the licensed premises of the concessionaire and the racing establishment.

Baltimore City. House Bill 959 (passed) authorizes the Board of License Commissioners to consider, when determining whether to renew an alcoholic beverages license or whether to attach any conditions on a renewed license, the performance of the license holder during the four-year period preceding the renewal application date. In addition, the bill prohibits the board from authorizing, and a specified license holder who offers adult entertainment from allowing, an individual younger than age 21 to enter the licensed establishment unless the individual is an employee, an agent, or a contractor of the establishment or is an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Senate Bill 584/House Bill 637 (both passed) authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue (1) up to two Inner Harbor Park licenses for use by a nonprofit organization, as specified; (2) a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license for use by a restaurant in the 1400 block of Warner Street, as specified; and (3) one Class B-HM (hotel-motel) beer, wine, and liquor license to a hotel in the 1200 block of East Fort Avenue. In addition, the bills (1) authorize a specified transferee of a Class B-D-7 license to apply to the board to exchange the license for a Class A-7 license in the 46th legislative district by July 1, 2021; (2) alter provisions pertaining to the public market license; (3) alter the boundaries of the Old Goucher Revitalization District and authorize a Class B-D-7 license to be transferred within the revitalization district, as specified; and (4) authorize specified interactions until June 30, 2022, between a Class 1 distillery and a retail dealer in Port Covington.

Baltimore City will be the host city of the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament for a three-year period beginning in 2021. Senate Bill 792 (passed) authorizes the Board of License Commissioners to issue a related event promoter’s permit that authorizes an individual, for-profit organization, or nonprofit organization and a participating license holder to conduct a social event related to and around the same time and location as the basketball tournament.

House Bill 960 (passed) prohibits the Board of License Commissioners from allowing the transfer of an alcoholic beverages license until the resolution of any (1) pending criminal charge filed against the transferor that directly relates to the operation of the licensed premises or (2) disciplinary matter before the board concerning the transferor. The bill excludes such a prohibition from existing procedures to determine when a license expires. The bill specifies that the pendency of a criminal charge against a transferor that directly relates to the operation of the licensed premises or a disciplinary matter before the board concerning the transferor may be used as a reason to request the extension of the life of the license due to hardship. The board may grant an extension that prolongs the life of the license beyond 360 days if a transfer of the license is prohibited due to a pending criminal charge against the transferor or a disciplinary matter before the board concerning the transferor.

Carroll County. Generally, a “petition of support” is signed by at least 10 property owning residents who are registered voters of the precinct in which the business is to be located. The petition states (1) the length of time each of the residents has been acquainted with the applicant; (2) that they have reviewed the application and believe the statements within the application are true and the applicant is to obtain the license; and (3) that they are familiar with the location of the business and believe that the location is suitable for such a business. Senate Bill 298/House Bill 576 (both passed) alter the “petition of support” of an alcoholic beverages license application by removing the requirement that the petition signers both know of the proposed business location and believe the business location is a suitable location for such a business.

Under current law, a holder of a Class BC BWL license must provide food for consumption at a catered event held off premises. Under Senate Bill 297/House Bill 572 (both passed), either the license holder or the sponsor of the catered event may meet the requirement to provide food.

Under current law, a Class D beer license and a Class D beer and wine license automatically allow the sale of beer or beer and wine for both on- and off-premises consumption. Under Senate Bill 927 (passed), the sale of beer for off-premises consumption under a Class D beer license is allowed only at the discretion of the Board of License Commissioners.

Similarly, under Senate Bill 256/House Bill 613 (both passed), the sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption under a Class D beer and wine license is allowed only at the discretion of the board.

Charles County. House Bill 388 (passed) alters the requirement that an alcoholic beverages license holder or the holder’s agent or employee only sell alcohol in a room with at least one plain glass window or door that allows an individual standing on the outside to observe the interior. The bill authorizes the licensed establishment to install a protective covering over an exterior door or window of the licensed premises if the covering is (1) used only when the premises is not occupied; (2) designed to protect the premises from unlawful intrusion or destruction; and (3) secured only from the exterior of the premises. Any protective covering must not prevent an inspection and search of the licensed premises.

House Bill 389 (passed) establishes a resort complex alcoholic beverages license and authorizes the Board of License Commissioners to issue the license to resort complexes meeting specified criteria.

House Bill 38 (passed) repeals the Class GC (golf course) alcoholic beverages license and replaces it with a Class GC privilege that may be attached to one of several types of retail alcoholic beverages license. The GC privilege expands the licensed premises to include the golf course. Holders of the Class GC privilege are authorized to sell alcoholic beverages on the golf course.

Senate Bill 111/House Bill 311 (both passed) authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue Class A beer, wine, and liquor licenses to holders of Class B and Class D licenses. The bills also authorize the board to limit the number of Class A beer, wine, and liquor licenses that it issues.

Frederick County. Senate Bill 224/House Bill 314 (both passed) repeal a requirement that signers of a petition of support for a local alcoholic beverages license are owners of real estate within 5,000 feet of the potential licensed establishment or, if an insufficient number of persons own real estate within the specified radius, within a radius of the potential licensed establishment that encompasses properties owned by at least 1,000 persons. The bills substitute a requirement that an applicant for a license post, at least 14 days before the application hearing and in a conspicuous place at the potential licensed establishment, a board-approved notice specifying (1) the class of license for which the applicant is applying and (2) the time, date, and location of the application hearing.

Senate Bill 325/House Bill 447 (both passed) authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue a basket of cheer permit, at no cost, to the holder of a Class C per diem beer and wine license or a Class C per diem beer, wine, and liquor license. The permit authorizes the holder to provide, as a prize at a benefit performance, a “basket of cheer” of alcoholic beverages produced in Maryland for off-premises consumption. A permit holder may raffle up to 10 baskets of cheer at each benefit performance.

Senate Bill 273/House Bill 289 (both passed) authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue a Class CT (cinema/theater) (on-sale) beer, wine, and liquor license for use in a for-profit cinema or theater that has at least one screening room or performance hall. The license authorizes the license holder to sell, in a designated area of the lobby, for 45 minutes before the start of a movie or performance, beer, wine, and liquor by the can, bottle, or drink for consumption anywhere on the licensed premises. A license holder may sell alcoholic beverages only to a ticket holder with proper identification and must offer food other than candy and popcorn.

Generally, and with specified exceptions, the number of alcoholic beverages licenses that may be issued to an individual license holder in the State is limited to 1. Senate Bill 276/House Bill 312 (both passed) authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue (1) up to 10 Class B beer, wine, and liquor hotel or motel licenses to a single license holder; (2) up to 10 Class B beer, wine, and liquor hotel or restaurant licenses to a single license holder; (3) up to 10 Class EC (entertainment center) licenses to a single license holder; and (4) up to 10 hotel lobby licenses to a single license holder.

Senate Bill 275/House Bill 287 (both passed) repeal the requirement that a for-profit organization may obtain a promoter’s permit only for an event conducted in conjunction with a nonprofit organization that holds a specified per diem alcoholic beverages license. The bills also lower to $50 the fee for the permit in instances where a promoter expects that fewer than 500 individuals will attend an event.

Senate Bill 952/House Bill 353 (both passed) repeal the requirement that a theater must seat no more than 200 individuals per performance to be eligible for a Class C (theater) beer and wine license.

Senate Bill 204/House Bill 293 (both passed) authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue a Class C volunteer fire company or volunteer ambulance company beer, wine, and liquor license. The license authorizes the licensee to sell beer, wine, and liquor for on-premises consumption during a fundraising event.

Senate Bill 274/House Bill 288 (both passed) repeal provisions that prohibit the holder of a Class C beer; a Class C beer and wine; or a Class C beer, wine, and liquor license from selling alcoholic beverages from a bar or counter on Sunday.

Garrett County. Senate Bill 547/House Bill 723 (both passed) (1) reclassify a draft beer license to be a draft beer permit; (2) widen the exemption from the hearing requirement for issuance of a Class C multiple day license; (3) authorize a club licensed under a multiple event license to cater functions on its premises; (4) repeal a prohibition against the issuance of an alcoholic beverages license to an applicant who has not had an established business for at least one year; and (5) repeal a prohibition against the issuance of a Class A or Class D beer, beer and wine, or beer, wine, and liquor license to a person that holds an out-of-state alcoholic beverages license.

Harford County. House Bill 1149 (passed) alters the filing period for renewal applications for an alcoholic beverages license holder. The license holder must now file a renewal application between February 1 and April 1, inclusive.

House Bill 805 (passed) specifies that the Board of License Commissioners may issue a Class CCFA (continuing care facility for the aged) BWL license to the officers of a continuing care facility for the aged, rather than “for the use of” such a facility.

Senate Bill 960 (passed) increases, from six months to nine months, the maximum length of time the Board of License Commissioners may authorize the closing of seasonally operated licensed premises.

House Bill 803 (passed) requires the Board of License Commissioners to submit an annual audit report to the County Executive and the County Delegation. The audit is not subject to approval by either the county executive or the delegation.

Howard County. House Bill 869 (passed) establishes a marketplace license. The license authorizes a holder to sell beer, wine, and liquor through vendors or agents from one or more outlets within the marketplace by the drink or by the bottle, for on-premises consumption. The license holder may also obtain container permits for off-premises consumption. The marketplace must have (1) a minimum capital investment, excluding the cost of land and buildings, of $1 million for marketplace facilities; (2) a minimum seating capacity of 75 individuals; (3) average daily receipts from the sale of food of at least 51% of the total daily receipts of the marketplace; and (4) a minimum total capacity of 200 individuals and a maximum capacity of 500 individuals, as determined by the County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. The bill also restricts the use of the license when ticketed public events are being held at certain property adjacent to the licensed premises.

Kent County. Senate Bill 955 (passed) (1) authorizes holders of Class D beer, wine, and liquor licenses to sell for both on- and off-premises consumption throughout the week and (2) increases to 15 the maximum number of rooms for an establishment for which a Class B (country inn) beer, wine, and liquor license is issued. For a theater beer, wine, and liquor license, the bill (1) lowers to 100 the minimum required seating for a theater; (2) allows the theater to provide cinematic as well as live entertainment; and (3) authorizes the sale of beer, wine, and liquor whenever the theater is open to the public except from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Montgomery County. House Bill 616 (passed) renames the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control to “Alcohol Beverage Services for Montgomery County” and renames the Liquor Control Fund as the “Alcohol Beverage Services Fund.” The Department of Liquor Control is separate from the Montgomery County Board of License Commissioners, which issues alcoholic beverages licenses. Generally, the Department of Liquor Control maintains a monopoly on the wholesale distribution of beer, wine, and liquor and the retail sale of liquor for off-premises consumption. The Department of Liquor Control-operated dispensary system acts as the primary second-tier wholesaler in the county.

House Bill 335 (passed) authorizes the Board of License Commissioners to refund the unearned portion of an alcoholic beverages license fee if the license is voluntarily surrendered at least six months before its expiration date.

House Bill 297 (passed) authorizes Department of Liquor Control dispensaries to sell chilled beer and chilled wine, dispensed from a keg, for off-premises consumption. Chilled beer may only be dispensed for the purpose of filling a refillable or nonrefillable container. Chilled wine may only be dispensed for the purpose of filling a refillable container.

House Bill 334 (passed) authorizes the Board of License Commissioners to issue a community performing arts facility special event permit to a holder of a community performing arts facility beer, wine, and liquor license. A permit holder must notify the board in writing at least 14 days in advance of a special event.

House Bill 345 (passed) repeals an obsolete reference and clarifies that the Board of License Commissioners may issue an unlimited number of Class H BW hotel and restaurant licenses in Damascus (12th election district). A Class H-BW license authorizes the holder to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following day.

Prince George’s County. House Bill 186 (passed) (1) repeals exemptions from the entertainment permit requirement for holders of specified alcoholic beverages licenses that offer family entertainment and (2) establishes a family entertainment permit. The Board of License Commissioners may issue the permit to a Class B license holder whose business meets specified seating, daily receipt, menu, price, and entertainment-content criteria. The permit authorizes the holder to impose a cover charge and provide family entertainment no later than midnight. The board must determine the number of days per week the permit holder may exercise the privileges of the permit and the hours the permit may be in effect. Specified requirements, procedures, and penalties applicable to the entertainment permit also apply to the family entertainment permit.

House Bill 189 (passed) increases, from 10 to 15, the number of Class BLX licenses the Board of License Commissioners may issue to a single license holder. The bill extends specified existing requirements pertaining to the issuance of a fifth through tenth Class BLX license to the issuance of an eleventh or subsequent license. Namely, the board may issue a fifth or any subsequent license to a single license holder only on (1) consideration of the number of licensed establishments in the area surrounding the proposed licensed establishment and (2) determination that the proposed licensed establishment will enhance the recreational, business, and economic development of the area.

Senate Bill 352/House Bill 185 (both passed) authorize the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners to issue a Class BLX license to a movie theater if (1) the owner or operator of the movie theater has invested at least $5 million in renovating or remodeling the movie theater; (2) the average daily receipts from the sale of food, excluding receipts from the sale of candy or popcorn, exceed the average daily receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages; and (3) any employee who serves alcoholic beverages is certified by an approved alcohol awareness program. However, the board may not issue a Class BLX license to a movie theater in the 26th legislative district. A holder of a Class BLX license issued for use in a movie theater may sell beer, wine, and liquor for on-premises consumption and, unlike a Class BLX restaurant licensee, only from noon to 12:30 a.m. the following day. A Class BLX movie theater licensee may serve only customers who have proof of admission to the movie theater.

House Bill 445 (passed) authorizes the Board of License Commissioners to issue a Class B-ECF/DS (educational conference facility/dining services) license for use on the Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) Main Campus and makes conforming changes to the Class B-ECF/DS license. The profits from the retail sale of alcoholic beverages authorized under a Class B-ECF/DS license issued for use on the PGCC Main Campus must be deposited in a designated auxiliary services fund of the PGCC Main Campus.

House Bill 1157 (passed) establishes a Workgroup on Alcohol Outlet Density Zones to identify potential areas with a high concentration of off-sale retail licenses as alcohol outlet density zones. The workgroup must submit its recommendations to the House and Senate delegations for the county and the board of license commissioners on or before December 1, 2019.

Queen Anne’s County. Senate Bill 427/House Bill 475 (both passed) require an alcoholic beverages license holder or an individual designated by the license holder who has completed training in an approved alcohol awareness program to be present on the licensed premises at all times when alcoholic beverages may be sold. The bills specify that a license holder who violates the bills’ requirements is subject to a $100 fine for a first offense. For each subsequent offense, the license holder is subject to a fine of up to $500, or a suspension or revocation of the license, or both.

Senate Bill 428/House Bill 476 (both passed) establish a beauty salon and barbershop beer and wine alcoholic beverages license. The bills authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue the license to the holders of specified beauty salon or barbershop permits. A license holder may provide a specified amount of beer or wine by the glass for on-premises consumption only while performing activities generally relating to beauty salons or barbershops. The license may not be transferred to another location. The license holder may provide beer and wine during normal business hours but not after 9:00 p.m. A holder of the license is subject to specified existing alcohol awareness training requirements.

St. Mary’s County. House Bill 360 (passed) repeals the prohibition against a holder of a Class B beer and wine license, Class B beer, wine, and liquor license, or Class C beer, wine, and liquor license from selling alcoholic beverages at a bar or counter on Sunday.

House Bill 982 (passed) authorizes the holder of a Class C per diem alcoholic beverages license to hold another license of a different class or nature. Generally, Class C per diem beer licenses may not be issued for longer than 10 days. Class C per diem beer and wine and Class C per diem beer, wine, and liquor licenses may each only be issued for 1 day.

Somerset County. The Liquor Control Board maintains a reserve fund of $150,000 to provide working capital for its county-run alcohol dispensaries and cover any losses sustained by the board while operating the dispensaries. Senate Bill 335/House Bill 291 (both passed) increase the maximum amount of the board reserve fund from $150,000 to $300,000. The bills also increase the maximum amount the board may distribute from the reserve fund to each dispensary in the county from $50,000 to $100,000.

The Board of License Commissioners consists of three members, one chair and two regular members, and is staffed by an attorney and a clerk. Senate Bill 337/House Bill 290 (both passed) raise the annual salary for members and employees of the board as specified.

Senate Bill 338/House Bill 292 (both passed) shorten, from 300 feet to 200 feet, the minimum distance between a place of worship, school, public library, or youth center and an establishment for which the Board of License Commissioners may issue a license.

Talbot County. Senate Bill 920/House Bill 1077 (both passed) repeal the prohibition on the sale or provision of alcoholic beverages within an election district on election days during the hours when the polls are open.

Senate Bill 943/House Bill 1095 (both passed) require the Governor to appoint a substitute member to the Board of License Commissioners. The substitute member must serve when a regular member is absent, recused, or incapacitated for any reason, or if a vacancy occurs. The substitute member has all of the powers and duties of a regular member of the board and must serve until the regular member returns or the vacancy is filled.

Washington County. House Bill 701 (passed) extends the Sunday hours of sale for Class A beer, beer and light wine, and beer, wine, and liquor (off-sale) licenses. The Sunday hours of sale for Class A licensees are from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Wicomico County. Senate Bill 6/House Bill 198 (both passed) authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue a basket of cheer permit to a qualifying nonprofit organization that holds a Class C per diem beer and wine license or a Class C per diem beer, wine, and liquor license. A permit holder is authorized to provide a basket of cheer, consisting of alcoholic beverages, as a prize at a benefit performance.

Senate Bill 19/House Bill 197 (both passed) authorize the Board of License Commissioners to issue a Class B-BB (bed and breakfast) license to an establishment with at least 1 room but not more than 10 rooms with sleeping accommodations for the public and a kitchen facility. The license holder may sell beer and wine to guests under certain conditions.

The General Assembly will next convene on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.