2018 Maryland General Assembly

While it is difficult to comprehend what new liquor licensing laws could possibly be enacted in Maryland after the legislature passed the largest bill in Maryland history, only 2 years ago in 2016, some 3,180 pages long, re-codifying the alcoholic beverage laws, this is review of just that ..

At the close of the just concluded 438th session of the Maryland General Assembly on April 9, 2018, 1,269 Senate bills and 1,832 House bills were introduced of which 889 bills were enacted, including more than a few that will provide business opportunities for those engaging in the business of alcoholic beverages.

Among the significant issues involving alcoholic beverages are:

Comptroller’s Office

In Maryland, alcoholic beverages manufacturers and wholesalers are regulated by the Comptroller’s Office, while alcoholic beverages retailers are regulated by local boards of license commissioners. House Bill 1316 (Ch. 25) is largely seen as a rebuke to the Comptroller for his legislative activism on craft breweries when it establishes a Task Force to Study State Alcohol Regulation in the State. The 21-member task force, whose membership includes legislators, alcohol industry representatives, law enforcement representatives, and health care professionals, must examine whether the Comptroller’s Office is the most appropriate agency to ensure the safety and welfare of Maryland residents, or whether those tasks should be assigned to another State agency or to one created specifically to carry out those tasks.

Wineries

A Class 4 limited winery license, issued by the Comptroller, authorizes the sale and sampling of wine and pomace brandy produced by the license holder for consumption. Among other things, a license holder may distill and bottle up to 1,900 gallons of pomace brandy made from available Maryland agricultural products. House Bill 972 (passed) establishes stricter requirements for a business to obtain a Class 4 limited winery license. Specifically, the bill changes the broad requirement that a licensee use Maryland agricultural products to produce wine and pomace brandy to instead require the licensee to own or have under contract at least 20 acres of grapes or other fruit in cultivation in the State for use in the production of wine or ensure at least 51% of the ingredients used in alcoholic beverages production are grown in the State. The Secretary of Agriculture each year may grant a one-year exemption to an applicant from the 51% requirement. The bill will not apply until May 1, 2022, to any person who holds a Class 4 license on or before June 30, 2018.

Class 6 Limited Wine Wholesaler’s License

A holder of a Class 4 limited winery license whose winery produces no more than 27,500 gallons of its own wine annually may obtain a Class 6 limited wine wholesaler’s license. The Class 6 license allows the winery to sell and deliver its own wine produced at the licensed premises to a retailer or other person authorized to acquire the wine; however, a license holder may not sell the wine to another wholesaler. House Bill 896 (passed) increases the annual amount of wine that can be produced, sold, and delivered by the holder of a Class 4 limited winery license that also has a Class 6 limited wine wholesaler’s license from 27,500 gallons to 35,000 gallons. The bill also authorizes a Class 6 license holder to sell its wine to a holder of a wholesaler’s license.

Distilleries

There are two types of manufacturer’s license issued in the State that authorize the production of liquor. A Class 1 distillery license authorizes the establishment and operation of a plant for distilling brandy, rum, whiskey, alcohol, and neutral spirits at the location described in the license. Similarly, a Class 9 limited distillery license, which may be issued to a holder of certain Class B or D beer, wine, and liquor licenses, authorizes the license holder to distill, rectify, bottle, or sell up to 100,000 gallons of the same types of alcoholic beverages; however, the Class 9 license holder may sell at retail on the premises of the Class D or Class B license only 15,500 gallons of liquor each year. Senate Bill 384 (passed) increases the annual amount of liquor that may be sold at retail under a Class 9 limited distillery license to 31,000 gallons.

Manufacturer Off-site Permits

The Harford County Farm Fair is an annual event celebrating Harford County’s agricultural heritage and features rides, farm animals, and food, among other attractions. House Bill 270 (passed) allows the holder of a brewery off-site permit or a winery off-site permit to use the permit to sell and provide samples of beer or wine at this fair.

Retail Sales of Alcoholic Beverages – Licenses from Multiple Jurisdictions

A Class B beer, wine, and liquor license allows a restaurant, hotel, or motel to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on- and/or off-premises, depending on the license. State law generally limits the number of alcoholic beverages licenses that may be issued to a single license holder to one; however, there are exceptions in some jurisdictions. For example, with certain specified requirements, Montgomery County authorizes a single license holder to obtain up to 10 Class B beer, wine, and liquor licenses. House Bill 1003 (passed) authorizes a single individual to hold multiple Class B beer, wine, and liquor licenses or equivalent licenses issued by different local licensing boards for restaurants, hotels, or motels. The number of licenses that a single individual may hold is only limited by the cap imposed by each local licensing board on the licenses that the board issues. The licenses may be issued for use by the license holder, a partnership, a corporation, an unincorporated association, or a limited liability company.Continue Reading Alcoholic Beverages in the 2018 Maryland General Assembly Session