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SB 800

Engineering

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Debbie Mayfield

Dorchester County grants a new arts beer and wine license for certain art-focused venues to serve beer and wine on-site, under district and distance rules.

Chapter No. 2026-98
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Bill Summary · SB 800

SB 800 — Dorchester County: Arts Beer and Wine License

Chapter 799 (2025)

Purpose

Establishes a new, locally issued alcoholic beverages license — an "arts beer and wine" license — in Dorchester County to allow certain arts-focused retail establishments to sell or serve beer and wine for on‑premises consumption. The intent is to expand revenue options for art venues located in designated arts districts while preserving distance and use protections around schools and places of worship.

Key provisions

  • Creates an arts beer and wine license (Art. — Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis §19‑1001) applicable only in Dorchester County (§19‑102).
  • Licensing authority: Board of License Commissioners for Dorchester County may issue the license.
  • Eligible holders: nonprofit or for‑profit retail businesses (examples listed: art centers, art galleries, museums, or similar businesses) that:
    • Are primarily devoted to original artwork that has serious literary, artistic, scientific, or political value; and
    • Are located in an arts and entertainment district approved by the Maryland Department of Commerce.
  • Prohibitions: license may not be issued to businesses that display and sell commercially prepared or mass‑produced artistic products.
  • Sales conditions:
    • Beer and wine may be sold/served for on‑premises consumption only.
    • Sales permitted Monday–Sunday during normal business hours, but not earlier than 10:00 a.m. and not later than 10:00 p.m.
    • Snacks must be served when alcohol is sold.
  • Location restrictions: License is non‑transferable and generally subject to the county’s 300‑foot restriction from schools/places of worship, but the Board may issue the arts license within 300 feet if it receives written consent from each affected school/place of worship.
  • Administrative: Board may adopt regulations to implement the section.

Fee

  • Annual license fee: $250.

Fiscal and operational impact

  • State fiscal effect: none.
  • Local impact (Dorchester County): likely modest revenue increase beginning FY 2026 to the extent licenses are issued; county indicates existing resources can handle enforcement.
  • Small businesses: minimal overall fiscal effect statewide, but potentially meaningful for qualifying art venues that gain a new revenue stream.

Who is affected

  • Qualifying art centers, galleries, museums, or similar arts retail businesses located in an approved arts & entertainment district in Dorchester County.
  • Dorchester County Board of License Commissioners (licensing/oversight).
  • Nearby schools or places of worship (may be asked to provide written consent if within 300 feet).

Timeline and current status

  • Enacted as Chapter 799, approved by the Governor (approved May 20, 2025).
  • Effective date: July 1, 2025.
  • Cross‑file / companion: HB 567 (Dorchester County Delegation). Sponsor lists include Dorchester County senators (primary sponsor noted as Rhoads in bill materials).

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

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