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SB 826

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2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Leek

Garrett County creates four new on-premises license classes for deluxe complex restaurants and resort complexes with specific investment, seating, and facility criteria, plus fees

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Bill Summary · SB 826

SB 826 — Garrett County Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2025 (Chapter 791)

Status: Enacted (Chapter 791). Governor signed June 20, 2025. Effective date: September 1, 2025. Introduced January 28, 2025.

Purpose

To expand and clarify the local alcoholic beverage licensing framework in Garrett County by creating new license categories tailored to higher‑investment restaurants and multi‑facility resort complexes, and by adjusting application and public‑notice rules for certain festival and temporary licenses.

Key provisions

  • Adds four new license classes in Garrett County (amendments/additions to the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article — Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis):
    • Class BDR‑DC (Deluxe Complex Restaurant) — Beer & Wine license.
    • Class BDR‑DC (Deluxe Complex Restaurant) — Beer, Wine & Liquor license.
    • Class BRC‑Resort Complex — Beer & Wine license.
    • Class BRC‑Resort Complex — Beer, Wine & Liquor license.
  • Specifies eligibility and minimum facility/investment criteria:
    • Deluxe complex restaurant (beer & wine): seating for at least 20 and minimum capital investment of $25,000 (excluding land/buildings).
    • Deluxe complex restaurant (with liquor): seating at tables (excluding bar seats) for at least 20 and minimum capital investment of $250,000 (excluding land/buildings).
    • Resort complex licenses: for complexes with at least two facilities on contiguous property, separated by ≥150 feet, and determined by the Board to be hotel/motel/recreational/restaurant facilities.
  • Sales privileges:
    • On‑premises sale of authorized beverages (beer/wine/liquor depending on license).
    • Beer permitted for off‑premises sale under these licenses.
    • Optional catering privileges allowed (must provide food at catered events; catering hours limited to those authorized for Class B licenses).
  • Fee structure and issuing fee:
    • Deluxe complex — Beer & Wine (annual): 6‑day $500 (no catering) / $625 (with catering); 7‑day $585 / $710. One‑time issuing fee = annual fee.
    • Deluxe complex — Beer/Wine/Liquor (annual): 6‑day $2,250 / $2,750; 7‑day $2,625 / $3,125. One‑time issuing fee = annual fee.
    • Resort complex — Beer & Wine (annual): 6‑day $700 for two facilities ($350 each additional); 7‑day $820 for two facilities ($410 each additional).
    • Resort complex — Beer/Wine/Liquor (annual): 6‑day $3,000 for two facilities ($1,500 each additional); 7‑day $3,500 for two facilities ($1,750 each additional).
  • Administrative and procedural clarifications:
    • Requires the Board of License Commissioners for Garrett County to hold hearings for issuance of certain festival licenses and clarifies public notice requirements.
    • Requires certain festival license applicants to apply on the Board’s form.
    • Clarifies that a nonprofit organization (rather than a “club”) may qualify for specified Class C multiple‑day and multiple‑event licenses.
    • Board is directed to adopt regulations to implement the new provisions.

Who is affected

  • Local businesses: restaurants, hotels/resorts, and entrepreneurs in Garrett County seeking expanded license options.
  • Event organizers and festivals applying for temporary/festival licenses.
  • Garrett County Board of License Commissioners (administration, hearings, rulemaking).
  • Local government revenues: license fee revenue expected to rise to the extent new licenses are issued (noted in the fiscal analysis as a local revenue increase beginning FY 2026). County enforcement can be handled within existing resources.

Fiscal and implementation notes

  • State fiscal effect: none.
  • Local effect: potential increase in Garrett County revenues from new license issuance; county enforcement within current resources.
  • Board must promulgate implementing regulations; issuing fee for new licenses equals the annual license fee.

Effective & next steps

  • Law effective September 1, 2025.
  • Board of License Commissioners to adopt regulations and begin issuing the new license types and applying the clarified procedures and fee structure thereafter.

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

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