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SB 1015

Relating to community violence; prescribing an effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Manning and 1 co-sponsor

Harford County creates a new Class AF beer and wine license for for-profit athletic fields, allowing on-site sales from 12:00 to 9:00, with 6- or 7-day options.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · SB 1015

Summary — SB 1015 (Harford County)

Title: Harford County — Alcoholic Beverages — Class AF (Athletic Field) License
Status: First Reading, Senate Rules (introduced Jan 30, 2025)

Purpose

Create a new, local alcoholic beverages license type that authorizes the sale of beer and wine at for‑profit athletic fields in Harford County. The bill defines two variants (6‑day and 7‑day) with specified hours, vendor requirements, and annual license fees.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new Section 22–1001 to the Annotated Code of Maryland (Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis) and renumbers existing sections accordingly.
  • Geographic scope: explicitly applies only in Harford County (see Section 22–102).
  • New license types:
    • 6‑Day Class AF (Athletic Field) Beer and Wine License.
    • 7‑Day Class AF (Athletic Field) Beer and Wine License.
  • Eligibility: The Harford County Board of License Commissioners may issue a 6‑day or 7‑day license only to a person who leases, owns, or operates an athletic field for profit.
  • Authorized sales hours:
    • 6‑day license: on‑premises beer and wine sales Monday through Saturday, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    • 7‑day license: on‑premises beer and wine sales Monday through Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Supply requirement: license holders must purchase beer and wine from an authorized/licensed wholesaler.
  • Food requirement: license holders must provide prepackaged food or snacks at all times when beer and wine are sold.
  • Annual license fees:
    • $1,300 for a 6‑day license.
    • $1,400 for a 7‑day license.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2025 (per the bill text).

Who is affected

  • For‑profit athletic field operators in Harford County (e.g., stadiums, sports complexes, privately run athletic fields) that wish to sell beer and wine on premises.
  • Harford County Board of License Commissioners (new license administration and enforcement).
  • Licensed wholesalers (supply channel).
  • Patrons of athletic fields and local communities (access to alcohol at events; public safety/regulatory considerations).

Procedural/timing notes

  • Introduced and first read in the Senate (Harford County bill) in early 2025 and assigned to Senate Rules. The bill text sets a statutory effective date of July 1, 2025.
  • The bill amends and renumbers sections in the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis title of the Maryland Annotated Code to add the new license class.

Practical effects / considerations

  • Establishes a narrowly tailored, county‑specific license focused on commercial athletic fields with defined hours and consumer protections (food availability, wholesaler sourcing).
  • Generates local licensing fee revenue to the county and enables athletic fields to create beverage sales revenue streams subject to local licensing oversight and public‑safety regulations.

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

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