# Maryland HB 1238: Somerset County - Alcoholic Beverages - Liquor Tasting License

Maryland HB 1238, Somerset County - Alcoholic Beverages - Liquor Tasting License, is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Otto; status signed, last action 2025-05-20 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 786) (as of 2026-10-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1238-2025RS
- 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 1238
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Somerset County - Alcoholic Beverages - Liquor Tasting License
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-02-07
- Last action: 2025-05-20, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 786
- Sponsor: Otto
- Cosponsors: 2
- Subjects: Alcoholic Beverages - Local Bills, Alcoholic Beverages Distribution, Alcoholic Beverages Licenses, Alcoholic Beverages - By Subdivision, Fees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & Taxes, License Commissioners, Boards of, Somerset County, Weights and Measures
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (186 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 1

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Somerset County shops get liquor tasting licenses: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2025, Somerset County’s Board of License Commissioners can issue liquor tasting licenses to eligible businesses. Businesses must hold a Class A beer, wine, and liquor license. Tastings must be free, take place on the licensed premises, and use liquor the business is authorized to…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Otto
- Cosponsor: Barry Beauchamp (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Wayne A. Hartman (Republican), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-04-03 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 47 | 0 |   |
| 2025-03-17 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 139 | 0 |   |

## Actions (12)

- 2025-05-20: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 786
- 2025-04-04: Returned Passed (House)
- 2025-04-03: Third Reading Passed (47-0) (Senate)
- 2025-04-02: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (Senate)
- 2025-03-31: Favorable Report by Finance (Senate)
- 2025-03-18: Hearing 3/26 at 1:00 p.m. (Senate)
- 2025-03-18: Referred Finance (Senate)
- 2025-03-17: Third Reading Passed (139-0) (House)
- 2025-03-15: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House)
- 2025-03-15: Favorable Report by Economic Matters (House)
- 2025-02-07: Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m. (House)
- 2025-02-07: First Reading Economic Matters (House)

## Bill text

- Enacted, 2025-05-20: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/Chapters_noln/CH_786_hb1238t.pdf)
- Third Reading, 2025-03-15: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/hb/hb1238t.pdf)
- First Reading, 2025-02-07: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/hb/hb1238f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0227: Workers' Compensation - Payment From Uninsured Employers' Fund - Revisions (vetoed)
- HB 0482: Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History - Predetermination Review Process (vetoed)
- HB 0384: Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established (vetoed)
- SB 0157: Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established (vetoed)
- HB 1294: Commercial Law - Credit Regulation - Earned Wage Access and Credit Modernization (became law)
- HB 0228: Maryland Veterans Trust – Assistance to Members of the Maryland National Guard (signed)

## Sources
- [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/Chapters_noln/CH_786_hb1238t.pdf)
- [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/hb/hb1238t.pdf)
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/hb/hb1238f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0227: Workers' Compensation - Payment From Uninsured Employers' Fund - Revisions](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0227-2025RS)
- [HB 0482: Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History - Predetermination…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0482-2025RS)
- [HB 0384: Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0384-2025RS)
- [SB 0157: Maryland Disability Service Animal Program - Established](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0157-2025RS)
- [HB 1294: Commercial Law - Credit Regulation - Earned Wage Access and Credit Modernization](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1294-2025RS)
- [HB 0228: Maryland Veterans Trust – Assistance to Members of the Maryland National Guard](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0228-2025RS)
- [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-HB1238-2025RS (as of 2026-10-19).