WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 798

Retail franchise agreements; governing law, competition restrictions.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Head

Allows municipalities in Wicomico County to issue temporary to-go alcohol licenses for special event areas and permits for nearby venues to sell in approved to-go cups.

Left in Labor and Commerce
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 798

SB 798 — Wicomico County: Temporary To‑Go Event Permit & Class C Per Diem Municipal To‑Go BWL License

Status: Approved by the Governor (Chapter 794). Approved May 20, 2025. Effective July 1, 2025.
Applies only in Wicomico County, Maryland.

Purpose / Intent

Authorize time‑limited, regulated off‑premises (to‑go) alcohol sales tied to municipal special events in Wicomico County. The bill creates (1) a Class C per diem municipal to‑go beer, wine, and liquor (BWL) license for municipalities to designate special event areas, and (2) a matching temporary to‑go event permit for nearby Class B BWL license holders to sell alcohol in approved to‑go cups that may be carried into those event areas.

Key provisions

  • Adds new provisions to the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article (Maryland Code) specifically for Wicomico County (new §§ 32‑902(i), 32‑1104, 32‑1314).
  • Class C per diem municipal to‑go BWL license:
    • May be issued by the Wicomico County Board of License Commissioners to a municipality.
    • Authorizes entry of beer, wine, and liquor sold by a temporary to‑go event permit holder into a designated special event area for up to 7 consecutive days.
    • Fee: $45 per day.
    • Board must adopt regulations governing issuance and requirements, including special event area designation, hours, age verification, approved to‑go cup use, advertising/posting/public hearing requirements, and public safety/event security.
  • Temporary to‑go event permit:
    • May be issued by the Board to a holder of a Class B BWL license whose licensed establishment is located within or immediately adjacent to a special event area identified in the Class C license.
    • Authorizes the permit holder to sell B/W/L in approved to‑go cups that may be carried into the designated event area.
    • Term of the permit matches the term of the associated Class C per diem municipal to‑go license.
    • Fee: $20 per day.
    • Board must adopt regulations addressing special event area designation, hours, age verification, approved cups, and notice/hearing requirements.

Who is affected

  • Municipalities in Wicomico County that host special events (may apply for Class C per diem municipal to‑go license).
  • Holders of Class B BWL licenses (hotels/restaurants) located within or immediately adjacent to designated event areas (may apply for temporary to‑go event permits).
  • Wicomico County Board of License Commissioners (responsible for issuing licenses/permits and adopting regulations).
  • Event organizers, local businesses, and event attendees (increased availability of regulated to‑go alcohol within event areas).
  • Public safety and enforcement entities (must ensure compliance with regulations, age verification, and security requirements).

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • No State fiscal effect. Local (Wicomico County) license and permit fee revenue may increase beginning FY2026 to the extent licenses/permits are issued; the number of applicants is unknown so revenue is not reliably estimated.
  • Wicomico County reports it can administer and monitor the new licenses/permits with existing resources.
  • Small business effects are expected to be minimal.

Effective date and implementation

  • Enacted as Chapter 794; effective July 1, 2025.
  • Board of License Commissioners must adopt implementing regulations consistent with the statutory requirements before (or concurrent with) permit/license issuance.

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

Sign in to ask a question.