Bill
HB 1238
Establishes a Somerset County liquor tasting license for Class A BWL retailers, permitting free on-site tastings (0.5 oz per sample, up to 5 samples/day) with a tiered fee.
Note on source materials
- The materials you provided contain multiple, different bills all labeled “HB 1238” from different states and sessions (Maryland, Arkansas, Indiana, Hawaii, Illinois, etc.), and the top-line bill metadata (title about private prisons; status “Died In Committee”) does not match the detailed documents. Before proceeding further, please confirm which jurisdiction and version of HB 1238 you want summarized.
- Below I summarize the most complete and coherent version in the packet: Maryland — “Somerset County – Alcoholic Beverages – Liquor Tasting License” (HB 1238 / Ch. 786).
Summary — Maryland HB 1238 (Somerset County): Liquor Tasting License
Purpose and intent
- Establish a new, local liquor tasting license in Somerset County to allow holders of a Class A beer, wine, and liquor (BWL) retail license to permit on‑site, no‑charge tasting of liquor in limited amounts. The intent is to enable retail tastings while limiting consumption and establishing a fee structure.
Key provisions
- Creates a “liquor tasting license” that the Somerset County Board of License Commissioners may issue to a holder of a Class A BWL license.
- Tasting conditions:
- The licensee must be authorized to sell the liquor offered.
- Consumers cannot be charged for the tasting samples.
- Per‑sample limit: up to one‑half ounce (0.5 oz) per offering.
- Daily limit: up to five offerings per person per day.
- Fee schedule (in addition to the Class A BWL license fee):
- One‑day license in a licensing period: $20.
- Effective up to 26 days in a licensing period: $200.
- Effective up to 52 days: $300.
- Effective up to 104 days: $400.
- Applies only in Somerset County under Maryland law.
Who is affected
- Primary: Class A BWL license holders (retailers) in Somerset County who wish to offer free liquor tastings.
- Secondary: Somerset County consumers who attend tastings; the County’s Board of License Commissioners (administration/enforcement).
- Small businesses: Minimal net effect (may benefit retailers offering tastings).
Fiscal and administrative impact
- Fiscal note (Maryland Department of Legislative Services): No State fiscal effect. Somerset County revenues increase to the extent tasting licenses are issued. The county can handle enforcement with existing resources. Small business impact minimal.
- The bill text indicates an effective date of July 1, 2025. Legislative records in the packet show enactment as Chapter 786 and gubernatorial approval in May 2025; other records show a later effective date (Sept 1, 2025) — please confirm which date applies in official state records.
Procedural status (from provided records)
- Packet includes committee actions, readings, and a chaptered law entry (Chapter 786) indicating approval by the Governor (May 2025). However, your top metadata lists the bill as “Died In Committee” and a different title (private prisons). Confirm the version and jurisdiction you want if you need a status update tied to a particular legislature.
Other HB 1238 variants found in the packet (brief)
- Arkansas: Adds right for mortgagors to recover attorney fees when statutory foreclosure sale is set aside for mortgagee noncompliance.
- Indiana: Provisions to allow school corporations to seek Medicaid reimbursement for medically necessary school‑based services and related studies/administration.
- Hawaii: $2.5M appropriation for structural analysis and repairs at Manele small boat harbor on Lānaʻi.
- Illinois: New homestead exemption ($5,000 EAV reduction) for properties located in FEMA special flood hazard areas (with limits).
If you want, I can:
- Produce a focused summary for one of the other HB 1238 variants, or
- Verify enacted status and exact effective date for the Maryland Somerset County bill (provide source jurisdiction), or
- Reformat this summary for a legislative report or briefing.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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