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MaineLD 1456132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Expand the Number of On-premises Retail Liquor Licenses a Liquor Manufacturer May Be Issued

Sponsored By: Matthea E. L. Daughtry (Democratic)

Became Law

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGESALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - LICENSING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Easier self-distribution and window displays

Beginning May 23, 2025, a manufacturer may move its liquor, in bulk or in kegs, bottles, or cans, to another manufacturing site it mostly owns or to a retail site it mostly owns. The same person or people must hold a majority stake in both places. A licensee may also display up to 25 bottles it makes in a window at a licensed location.

More retail licenses for manufacturers

Beginning May 23, 2025, a majority owner of one manufacturer can hold up to 3 on-premises retail licenses. A majority owner of two or more manufacturers that together make at least 1,000 barrels a year can hold up to 6. No one may hold an ownership interest in more than 6 such retail licenses.

More manufacturers qualify; tenant rules change

Beginning May 23, 2025, the State may license bottlers and rectifiers that operate under federal law and supervision, along with breweries, wineries, and distilleries. The law defines a manufacturing facility as the premises where liquor is produced. Tenant breweries now follow the general subsection 3 rules and no longer receive the former paragraph C privileges. Paragraph C in subsections 6 and 7 is repealed, removing those prior privileges.

New rules for retail at production sites

Beginning May 23, 2025, when a manufacturing facility and a retail license share the same premises, certain liquor sales by the manufacturer at that site (public samples and on-site or off-site sales made under the law) do not count toward the retail food-sales test. At the same time, distilleries and small distilleries may not run a licensed retail establishment on the same premises as their production site. These changes set how co-located tasting rooms and restaurants operate.

8% tax on on-site drinks

Beginning May 23, 2025, an 8% sales tax applies to liquor sold for on-premises drinking in licensed places. This includes drinks sold at breweries, wineries, and distilleries at their taprooms and tasting rooms. The tax is 8% of the sale price. Customers pay it at purchase, and businesses collect and send it to the State.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthea E. L. Daughtry

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Daniel Shagoury

    Democratic • House

  • Jeffrey L. Timberlake

    Republican • Senate

  • Marc Malon

    Democratic • House

  • Morgan Rielly

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 87

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    5/22/2025Senate

  3. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/22/2025House

  4. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-77).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/20/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-77) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-77).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    5/14/2025Senate

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/8/2025House

  7. Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    4/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

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