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MarylandSB 08262025 Regular SessionSenate

Garrett County Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Mike McKay (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Alcoholic Beverages - Local BillsAlcoholic Beverages DistributionAlcoholic Beverages LicensesAlcoholic Beverages - By SubdivisionBoundariesFees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & TaxesFood -see also- Meat, Poultry, & Seafood; Milk; etc.FormsGarrett CountyHearingsHotels and MotelsLicense Commissioners, Boards ofNonprofit OrganizationsNoticesRestaurantsRules and RegulationsSpecial EventsSports and RecreationTime

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

New alcohol licenses for Garrett restaurants

Beginning July 1, 2025, Garrett County creates two deluxe complex restaurant licenses for Class B license holders or holders of equivalent out-of-county restaurant-only licenses. Both require 20 seats and investment in restaurant facilities, excluding land and buildings: $25,000 for beer and wine, or $250,000 when liquor is included; the liquor license excludes bar and counter seats from the seating count. Both allow drinking on-site and beer sales to take home; catering options allow off-site alcohol sales with food during authorized days and hours. Annual beer-and-wine fees are $500 for six days weekly or $585 for seven days, rising to $625 or $710 with catering; liquor-inclusive fees are $2,250 or $2,625, rising to $2,750 or $3,125 with catering. Each license also has a one-time issuing fee equal to its annual fee; existing-building investment calculations use state assessment records.

Garrett nonprofits gain event alcohol licenses

Beginning July 1, 2025, Garrett County opens Class C multiple-day alcohol licenses to nonprofits as well as clubs. These cover beer only, beer and wine, or beer, wine, and liquor; existing fees are $50 for two days, $150 for six, and $300 for 12. Qualifying nonprofits can also get one multiple-event license each license year and cater functions on their premises. Existing annual fee tiers remain $125 for up to five events, $250 for 12, $375 for 18, and $500 for 24. Existing event-notice and certified-server requirements remain, and no hearing is required for multiple-day events expecting fewer than 500 attendees.

Garrett festivals gain licenses with limits

Beginning July 1, 2025, Garrett County creates beer-and-wine and liquor-inclusive festival licenses, capped at four licenses yearly for each type. Retail license holders and people eligible for Class C multiple-day or multiple-event licenses qualify, and the Board sets fees. Each annual festival lasts up to three consecutive days under Board supervision, run by a county-selected nonprofit experienced in large public events. Sales for drinking on-site or taking home are allowed only at an unlicensed site during designated hours, using alcohol distributed in Maryland when the application is filed. The Board must hold hearings and publish notice at least seven days ahead for beer, beer-and-wine street, county beer-and-wine, liquor-inclusive, and wine festival applications; all listed types except street festivals must use Board application forms.

New alcohol licenses for Garrett resorts

Beginning July 1, 2025, Garrett County creates beer-and-wine and liquor-inclusive licenses for resort complexes with at least two facilities on one connected property. Each facility must be at least 150 feet from the main licensed area and approved as a hotel, motel, recreation, or restaurant facility. Both licenses allow drinking on-site and beer sales to take home during the matching Class B license days and hours. Annual beer-and-wine fees cover two facilities at $700 for six days weekly or $820 for seven, plus $350 or $410 per added facility; liquor-inclusive fees are $3,000 or $3,500, plus $1,500 or $1,750 per added facility. Each license also requires a one-time issuing fee equal to its annual fee.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike McKay

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 182 • No: 2

House vote • 4/7/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 138 • No: 2 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 44 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 791

    5/20/2025

  2. Returned Passed

    4/7/2025Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (138-2)

    4/7/2025House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/7/2025House

  5. Favorable Report by Economic Matters

    4/7/2025House

  6. Referred Economic Matters

    3/7/2025House

  7. Third Reading Passed (44-0)

    3/6/2025Senate

  8. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    3/4/2025Senate

  9. Favorable Report by Finance

    3/3/2025Senate

  10. Hearing 2/21 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/4/2025Senate

  11. First Reading Finance

    2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/20/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/4/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/3/2025

    PDF

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