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SB 846

Worcester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Temporary To-Go Event Permit and Class C Per Diem Municipal To-Go Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Beth Carozza

SB 846 authorizes Worcester County to issue temporary event permits and daily per diem municipal licenses for off-premises beer, wine, and liquor sales.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 835
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 846

Legislative bill overview

SB 846 creates two new alcohol licensing mechanisms for Worcester County, Maryland: a temporary to-go event permit for special occasions and a Class C per diem municipal license allowing establishments to sell beer, wine, and liquor for off-premises consumption on a daily basis. The bill modifies existing alcoholic beverage regulations to expand consumption and sales options beyond traditional on-premises establishments.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects local businesses, event organizers, and consumers in Worcester County by lowering barriers to alcohol sales during events and creating flexible daily licensing for municipal entities or permitted vendors. The changes could generate additional tax revenue, support tourism and entertainment activities, and provide municipalities with new regulatory and revenue tools—though implementation details matter significantly for how these licenses function in practice.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory oversight: Unclear enforcement mechanisms for temporary permits and whether daily per diem licenses create accountability gaps or simply shift monitoring burdens to municipalities
  • Public health considerations: Expanded to-go alcohol availability without corresponding restrictions on purchase quantities, time-windows, or consumption locations could increase public intoxication or alcohol-related incidents
  • Business equity: New licensing categories may advantage certain vendors over others; unclear whether fees and eligibility requirements are designed to prevent market saturation or gaming of the system

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

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