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Bill

SB 799

Relating to administration of taxes; and prescribing an effective date.

2025 Regular Session

Creates a county-specific Class B BWL license allowing large venues in Wicomico County to sell beer, wine, and liquor on-site, with safeguards for youth events.

Effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.
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Bill Summary · SB 799

SB 799 — Wicomico County: Class B (Athletic and Event Facility) Beer, Wine & Liquor License

Status: Withdrawn by sponsor (withdrawn 2025-02-17)
Introduced: February 21, 2025 (Assigned to Finance)
Companion bill: HB 656 (Wicomico County Delegation)

Purpose / Intent

Create a new, county‑specific alcoholic beverages license that allows large athletic and event venues in Wicomico County to sell beer, wine, and liquor for on‑premises consumption under locally adopted rules. The measure is intended to expand licensing options for large event facilities while setting safeguards (notably for youth events).

Key provisions

  • Establishes a new Class B (athletic and event facility) beer, wine, and liquor (BWL) license applicable only in Wicomico County (Art. — Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis).
  • Defines “facility” to include:
    • athletic facilities,
    • auditoriums,
    • banquet halls, and
    • conference centers.
  • Eligibility requirements for issuance:
    • Facility must have a kitchen for preparation/management of food service in conjunction with alcohol sales.
    • Facility must have a capacity of at least 500 people.
  • Authorized activity:
    • Licensee may sell beer, wine, and liquor for on‑premises consumption from one or more dispensing outlets located within the facility.
  • Regulatory requirements (Board of License Commissioners must adopt regulations):
    • Prohibit consumption of alcohol by spectators and other participants at youth events (including youth athletics).
    • Prescribe requirements for dispensing alcoholic beverages.
    • Limit the number of outlets within a facility.
    • Set minimum capital investment criteria for the licensed premises.
    • Establish permitted hours and days of sale.
    • Set the annual license fee.
  • Licensing cannot begin until the Board’s regulations required under the bill are adopted and in effect.
  • Effective date specified as July 1, 2025 (per fiscal note), though the bill was withdrawn by sponsor before enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: Owners/operators of large athletic/event venues in Wicomico County (capacity ≥ 500) seeking a BWL license.
  • Administrative: Wicomico County Board of License Commissioners (authority to adopt regulations and issue licenses).
  • Public: Event attendees, vendors, and community (impacts on local event services, alcohol availability, and youth event protections).
  • Small business impact assessed as minimal in the fiscal note.

Fiscal and operational impacts

  • Local revenues: Potential increase in county license fee revenue, but amount indeterminate — the Board would set the annual fee by regulation.
  • Enforcement/administration: County reports it can handle any additional enforcement within existing resources.
  • The fiscal note categorized small business effects as minimal.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The bill required the Board’s regulations to take effect before any licenses could be issued.
  • Although the bill specified a July 1, 2025 effective date in draft/fiscal analysis, the sponsor withdrew the bill on February 17, 2025; as withdrawn it is not moving forward in the 2025 session.

If you want, I can:
- Compare this license to existing Wicomico County Class B licenses (banquet/conference center) and typical fee structures; or
- Draft a short talking brief for county officials or venue operators about implications if the bill were reintroduced.

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

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