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MaineLD 1551132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Support Maine Eating and Drinking Establishments by Allowing Vendors to Operate on the Premises of an Establishment with a Liquor License

Sponsored By: Jeffrey L. Timberlake (Republican)

Became Law

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGESALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - LICENSING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Tighter alcohol rules and host liability

Starting June 9, 2025, vendors may serve alcohol only if the host supplies the drinks. A host or host employee authorized to serve must be present. Any vendor employee who serves must be authorized and give the host a signed affidavit before operating. The affidavit says no first listed liquor-law conviction in the past 2 years and no second in the past 5 years. Vendor servers are treated as the host’s servers under Maine’s liquor liability law. The host is liable for vendor liquor-law violations on-site and can face fines or license suspension or revocation.

Food safety duties for hosts and vendors

Starting June 9, 2025, if an unlicensed vendor cooks or sells food on-site, the host must make sure all food, health, and safety rules are met. If a licensed vendor operates, the vendor must follow the rules tied to its own food-service license.

Hosts keep records, vendors pay sales tax

Starting June 9, 2025, hosts must keep a written record for at least one year of each vendor’s operation. Records must list the vendor’s name and contact, menus, and dates and times. Vendors must collect and pay all applicable state and federal sales taxes on their on-site food and drink sales.

Vendors can sell food inside bars and restaurants

Starting June 9, 2025, bars and restaurants with a liquor license can let vendors prepare, serve, and sell food on-site. The law defines who is a host licensee and who is a vendor, licensed or not.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jeffrey L. Timberlake

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bradlee T. Farrin

    Republican • Senate

  • Bruce Bickford

    Republican • Senate

  • Dean Cray

    Republican • House

  • Laura Supica

    Democratic • House

  • Richard Mason

    Republican • House

  • Scott Cyrway

    Republican • Senate

  • Sheila Lyman

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 189

    5/1/2026

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

    6/2/2025Senate

  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.

    6/2/2025House

  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-153).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    5/29/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-153) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-153).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    5/28/2025Senate

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

    4/10/2025House

  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

    4/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

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