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SB 798

Exempting new hires and promoted employees within certain state agencies from classified civil service system

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Woelfel

Allows municipalities in Wicomico County to issue temporary to-go licenses and permits for alcohol at designated special events, with regulated cups, hours, and fees.

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Bill Summary · SB 798

SB 798 — Wicomico County: Temporary To‑Go Event Permit & Class C Per Diem Municipal To‑Go BWL License

Status: Approved by the Governor (Chapter 794). Approved May 20, 2025. Effective July 1, 2025.
Applies only in Wicomico County, Maryland.

Purpose / Intent

Authorize time‑limited, regulated off‑premises (to‑go) alcohol sales tied to municipal special events in Wicomico County. The bill creates (1) a Class C per diem municipal to‑go beer, wine, and liquor (BWL) license for municipalities to designate special event areas, and (2) a matching temporary to‑go event permit for nearby Class B BWL license holders to sell alcohol in approved to‑go cups that may be carried into those event areas.

Key provisions

  • Adds new provisions to the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article (Maryland Code) specifically for Wicomico County (new §§ 32‑902(i), 32‑1104, 32‑1314).
  • Class C per diem municipal to‑go BWL license:
    • May be issued by the Wicomico County Board of License Commissioners to a municipality.
    • Authorizes entry of beer, wine, and liquor sold by a temporary to‑go event permit holder into a designated special event area for up to 7 consecutive days.
    • Fee: $45 per day.
    • Board must adopt regulations governing issuance and requirements, including special event area designation, hours, age verification, approved to‑go cup use, advertising/posting/public hearing requirements, and public safety/event security.
  • Temporary to‑go event permit:
    • May be issued by the Board to a holder of a Class B BWL license whose licensed establishment is located within or immediately adjacent to a special event area identified in the Class C license.
    • Authorizes the permit holder to sell B/W/L in approved to‑go cups that may be carried into the designated event area.
    • Term of the permit matches the term of the associated Class C per diem municipal to‑go license.
    • Fee: $20 per day.
    • Board must adopt regulations addressing special event area designation, hours, age verification, approved cups, and notice/hearing requirements.

Who is affected

  • Municipalities in Wicomico County that host special events (may apply for Class C per diem municipal to‑go license).
  • Holders of Class B BWL licenses (hotels/restaurants) located within or immediately adjacent to designated event areas (may apply for temporary to‑go event permits).
  • Wicomico County Board of License Commissioners (responsible for issuing licenses/permits and adopting regulations).
  • Event organizers, local businesses, and event attendees (increased availability of regulated to‑go alcohol within event areas).
  • Public safety and enforcement entities (must ensure compliance with regulations, age verification, and security requirements).

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • No State fiscal effect. Local (Wicomico County) license and permit fee revenue may increase beginning FY2026 to the extent licenses/permits are issued; the number of applicants is unknown so revenue is not reliably estimated.
  • Wicomico County reports it can administer and monitor the new licenses/permits with existing resources.
  • Small business effects are expected to be minimal.

Effective date and implementation

  • Enacted as Chapter 794; effective July 1, 2025.
  • Board of License Commissioners must adopt implementing regulations consistent with the statutory requirements before (or concurrent with) permit/license issuance.

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

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