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SB 939

An Act providing for high impact data centers; establishing the Office of Transformation and Opportunity and the Artificial Intelligence, Data Center and Emerging Technology Regulatory Sandbox Program; and providing for powers and duties of office.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marty Flynn and 3 co-sponsors

Baltimore City can require expedited processing and new license options in the 40th district, with conditions and MOUs, plus a specific hours exemption for Class M-F licenses.

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Bill Summary · SB 939

Summary — SB 939 (Chapter 811, 2025)

Title: Baltimore City — Alcoholic Beverages — Authorizations and Revisions
Status: Approved by the Governor (Chapter 811) — Effective July 1, 2025
Primary sponsor (Senate): Senator Hayes
Designated cross-file: HB 1172

Purpose

SB 939 updates Baltimore City alcoholic beverages law to (1) let the Board of License Commissioners implement an expedited-fee process and stronger application controls for Class C per diem licenses, (2) authorize several narrowly tailored new or modified licenses in the 40th alcoholic beverages district subject to community agreements and conditions, and (3) adjust which license types are subject to an existing 10 a.m.–10 p.m. hours restriction in a specified area of the 40th district.

Key provisions

  • Expedited per diem processing fee

    • The Board must charge up to $250 for expedited processing of a Class C per diem license application submitted less than 2 weeks before a scheduled event.

  • Board regulations for Class C per diem licenses

    • The Board is required to adopt regulations governing the Class C per diem application process (under §§4‑1203 and 4‑1204), and those regulations may authorize denial or revocation of per diem licenses and limit the number of per diem licenses issued to a person for the same location in a calendar year.

  • New/modified license authorizations in the 40th alcoholic beverages district (each tied to specified conditions)

    • Class C (beer and light wine) — 2500 block of West North Avenue for on‑campus events if the applicant executes an MOU with the Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council; the Board may waive any “members‑only” sales requirement.
    • Class C (beer and wine) — odd side of 800 block of North Howard Street with conditions: no class conversion or transfer; indoor sales only; sales between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; while receiving barbering services patrons may be offered up to two 12‑oz beers or two 6‑oz glasses of wine; MOU with Mount Vernon–Belvedere Association; Board may waive members‑only limitation.
    • Class B (beer, wine, liquor) — restaurant on the even side of the unit block of South Carrollton Avenue (and the even side of the 1100 block of Hollins Street in related provisions) if the applicant executes an MOU with the Hollins Roundhouse Association and the Board waives the usual minimum seating requirement (normally 75 seats).

  • Hours restriction / exemption change

    • The statute that limits hours of alcoholic beverage sales in a defined area of the 40th district to not before 10:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. is retained; the bill adds the Class M‑F (municipal family fun center) license to the list of license types exempted from that restriction (i.e., Class M‑F licensees are not subject to the 10 a.m.–10 p.m. limitation).

Who is affected

  • Baltimore City Board of License Commissioners (must adopt regulations, set/collect expedited fee)
  • Event organizers and clubs applying for Class C per diem licenses (may face expedited fees and frequency limits)
  • Specific local applicants/operators in the 40th alcoholic beverages district (universities/campuses, barbering establishments offering limited beverages, restaurants in specified blocks)
  • Community associations named in MOUs (Greater Mondawmin, Mount Vernon–Belvedere, Hollins Roundhouse) — each must have an MOU with applicants as a condition

Fiscal and operational impact

  • State: None.
  • Local (Baltimore City): Potential revenue increase beginning FY 2026 from expedited fees and any additional licenses; no anticipated increase in city expenditures.
  • Small business: Minimal overall effect; some local businesses may gain new licensing options with conditions, others may face limits on per diem frequency.

Timeline & procedure

  • Effective date: July 1, 2025.
  • Legislative actions (selected): Introduced Jan 27, 2025; passed both chambers in March–April 2025; returned passed Apr 2, 2025; approved by Governor May 20, 2025 (Chapter 811).

For full statutory text and the precise geographic boundaries referenced for the 40th district hour restrictions, consult Chapter 811 (2025 Laws of Maryland) or the Annotated Code (Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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