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HB 443

Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B-SEC (Small Event Center) License PG 312-26

2026 Regular Session

Prince George's County creates new Class B-SEC alcoholic beverage license for small event centers, enabling easier licensing for smaller venues to serve alcohol.

Returned Passed
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Bill Summary · HB 443

Legislative bill overview

HB 443 establishes a new Class B-SEC (Small Event Center) alcoholic beverage license category for Prince George's County. This license would allow smaller venues to serve alcohol at events with less restrictive requirements than existing license classes.

Why is this important

The bill addresses a potential gap in Maryland's licensing framework by creating a middle-ground option for small event venues that currently may not qualify for standard licenses or face prohibitive costs. This could support local businesses, event spaces, and community venues while generating tax revenue for the county.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's specific capacity limits, square footage requirements, and operational restrictions for "small event centers" need clear definition to avoid inconsistent enforcement and disputes over qualification
  • Alcohol access expansion: Creating easier licensing pathways may raise public health concerns regarding alcohol availability, underage access prevention, and community safety monitoring in smaller venues
  • Competitive fairness: Existing license holders may oppose a new category with potentially lower fees or less stringent requirements, claiming unfair market competition

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

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