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LD 1456

An Act To Expand The Number Of On-Premises Retail Liquor Licenses A Liquor Manufacturer May Be Issued

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mattie Daughtry and 4 co-sponsors

Expands how many on‑premises retail liquor licenses a liquor manufacturer may hold, allowing more on‑site sales, tastings, and annexed outlets.

Signed by Governor
#alcoholicbeverages #breweries #licensing
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Bill Summary · LD 1456

Summary — LD 1456

Title: An Act To Expand The Number Of On‑Premises Retail Liquor Licenses A Liquor Manufacturer May Be Issued
Status: Signed by Governor (Emergency measure)
Introduced: April 8, 2025
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Subjects: alcoholic beverages, breweries, licensing

Purpose

LD 1456 expands the number of on‑premises retail liquor licenses that may be issued to a liquor manufacturer. The intent is to allow licensed producers (breweries, distilleries, wineries and other liquor manufacturers) greater ability to operate on‑site retail sales/tasting rooms or additional on‑premises retail outlets associated with their manufacturing operations.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes an increase in the quantity of on‑premises retail liquor licenses that a liquor manufacturer may hold. (The documents provided do not include the enacted statutory text or the specific new license limits — consult the enrolled bill for exact numeric or regulatory changes.)
  • The bill was amended in committee (Committee Amendment “A”, S‑77) prior to enactment; the enacted (engrossed) version reflects that amendment.
  • Designated and processed as an emergency measure, meaning it took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature.

Who is affected

  • Liquor manufacturers (breweries, distilleries, wineries, etc.) — will be able to obtain more on‑premises retail licenses than previously allowed, enabling expanded on‑site sales, tastings, taprooms, or additional on‑site retail locations.
  • Prospective license applicants and existing license holders — may benefit from increased opportunities to expand retail operations.
  • State regulatory agency — Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services) will implement and oversee the licensing changes.
  • Localities and consumers — potentially affected by increased on‑site retail activity, tourism and local economic development.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal note (approved 05/05/25 and 05/20/25) estimates a minor General Fund cost increase.
  • Any additional implementation costs borne by the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
  • The fiscal notes do not estimate changes in license fee revenue or broader economic impacts.

Legislative history & effective date

  • Referred to Veterans and Legal Affairs: 04/08/2025.
  • Committee work, amendment adoption, and votes occurred in April–May 2025 (OTP‑AM recommended; Committee Amendment A adopted).
  • Passed to be enacted and designated an emergency measure; required two‑thirds vote of House members.
  • Passed and sent for concurrence in mid‑May.
  • Signed by the Governor: 05/23/2025 — effective immediately as an emergency law.

Notes

  • The summary above reflects available legislative and fiscal documents. For the exact statutory language, the specific numerical change in license limits, and regulatory details, consult the enrolled bill text or the Maine Legislature’s official bill page.

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

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