# Maryland HB 1203: Garrett County - Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2026 Maryland HB 1203, Garrett County - Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2026, is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Jim Hinebaugh (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-05-26 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 828) (as of 2026-10-19). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1203-2026RS - As of: 2026-10-19 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Maryland HB 1203 - State: Maryland - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Garrett County - Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2026 - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-02-11 - Last action: 2026-05-26, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 828 - Sponsor: Jim Hinebaugh (Republican) - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: Alcoholic Beverages - Local Bills, Alcoholic Beverages -see also- AB-By Subdivision, Alcoholic Beverages Distribution, Alcoholic Beverages Licenses, Alcoholic Beverages - By Subdivision, Applicants and Applications, Blue Laws, Boundaries, Committee Changes, Evidence, Fees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & Taxes, Food -see also- Meat, Poultry, & Seafood; Milk; etc., Forms, Garrett County, Hotels and Motels, Immigrants and Citizenship -see also- Residency, Inspections -see also- Motor Vehicle Inspection, Job Training -see also- Continuing Ed; Vocational Rehab, License Commissioners, Boards of, Notices, Permits -see also- Building Permits, Referendum, Restaurants, Rules and Regulations, Salaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. Rates, Special Events, Sports and Recreation, Time - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 2 (182 yes, 0 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 8 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Residency and citizenship checks for licenses: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, at least one person on any alcohol license application must be a Maryland resident. The application must state if an applicant is natural‑born or naturalized; a non‑U.S. citizen must include proof that immigration status complies with federal law. A license stays valid only… - Deluxe restaurant and complex licenses: mixed, high. Beginning July 1, 2026, deluxe restaurants and deluxe complex restaurants can get new licenses with optional catering. A deluxe restaurant beer and wine license requires Board‑set seating and a $25,000 capital investment; annual fees are $500 (6‑day no catering), $625 (6‑day with), $585 (7‑day no c… - New standard restaurant and retailer licenses: mixed, high. Beginning July 1, 2026, hotels, motels, inns, and restaurants can get Class B beer, Class B beer and wine, or Class B beer, wine, and liquor licenses; retailers can get a Class D beer and wine license. A catering option lets you sell at off‑site events anywhere in the county when the site lacks a l… - Local caterer alcohol license and rules: mixed, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, a caterer with county‑approved food facilities can get a local caterer’s alcohol license. You must provide food and staff at events, keep at least one alcohol‑awareness certified person on site, and return all non‑empty containers to your business after the event. Food must… - Resort complex beer and wine license: mixed, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, a resort complex with at least two facilities on the same property (150 feet or more apart) can get a Class B–resort beer and wine license. A catering option allows off‑site service anywhere in the county when the site lacks a license or has a Board temporary license; events… - Winery permit for private events: mixed, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, a Class 3 or Class 4 winery can get a Special Event Permit to host private, scheduled events on its premises. You may use it up to 32 times per year; an event for the same client can run up to 7 days. You must reserve and notify the Board at least 7 days ahead, keep service… - State manufacturer rules now apply: mixed, low. Starting July 1, 2026, specific State manufacturer license rules apply in Garrett County. Local alcohol manufacturers and applicants must follow those State provisions along with county rules. - New rules for county alcohol board: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Governor appoints three members and one substitute to the county Alcoholic Beverages Board, with Senate or House confirmation depending on whether the county has a resident Senator. The substitute may serve with full powers when a quorum is missing due to illness or a co… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Jim Hinebaugh (Republican), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-04-06 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 46 | 0 | | | 2026-03-23 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 136 | 0 | 4 | ## Actions (11) - 2026-05-26: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 828 - 2026-04-07: Returned Passed (House) - 2026-04-06: Third Reading Passed (46-0) (Senate) - 2026-03-31: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (Senate) - 2026-03-30: Favorable Report by Finance (Senate) - 2026-03-23: Referred Finance (Senate) - 2026-03-23: Third Reading Passed (136-0) (House) - 2026-03-21: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House) - 2026-03-21: Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections (House) - 2026-02-13: Hearing 2/23 at 1:00 p.m. (House) - 2026-02-11: First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections (House) ## Bill text - Enacted, 2026-05-26: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_828_hb1203t.pdf) - Third Reading, 2026-03-21: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1203t.pdf) - First Reading, 2026-02-11: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1203f.pdf) ## Related bills - SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law) - SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law) - SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law) - SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law) - SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law) - HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law) ## Sources - [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_828_hb1203t.pdf) - [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1203t.pdf) - [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1203f.pdf) ## Related - [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS) - [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS) - [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS) - [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS) - [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS) - [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS) - [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills) - [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1203-2026RS (as of 2026-10-19).