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MaineLD 494132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Update and Clarify Certain Provisions of State Liquor and Lottery Laws

Sponsored By: Laura Supica (Democratic)

Became Law

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGESALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - LICENSING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

Hotel licenses and in-room carry

Hotels with at least 4 guest rooms and a state health license can get on‑premises licenses for spirits, wine, and beer. Licensed hotels may let guests carry drinks bought in designated areas back to their rooms.

Wine and beer sellers add low-alcohol spirits

Businesses licensed to sell wine or beer can also sell low‑alcohol spirits. Wine rules apply to those products, except chapters 65 and 67. In‑state wholesalers licensed for wine or beer may distribute low‑alcohol spirits.

New tasting license for agency stores

Agency liquor stores can buy a $500 purveyor license to run unlimited spirits tastings. To qualify, a store must stock at least 1,500 product codes and get at least 50% of sales from liquor. Only store staff, a licensed sales rep, or the supplier may pour. Mixed drinks are allowed at tastings, but no service to minors or visibly drunk people. Opened bottles must be resealed and stored away from the public, with purchase records kept.

Venue alcohol sales and suite rules

The bureau can license auditoriums, civic auditoriums, outdoor stadiums, and performing arts centers to sell alcohol. Licenses may go to the owner, operator, or the alcohol provider. No alcohol sales are allowed in rooms with school activities or events mainly for minors. Bottle service in club suites is allowed only if the venue provides the bottles, keeps them in the suite, limits to six, has a signed no‑minors contract, and controls access. A civic auditorium license may be used only for events on the licensed premises.

Mail-in rebates allowed on spirits

With commission approval, stores may display spirits promotions and offer mail‑in rebates near products sold for off‑site use. The manufacturer, not the store, must redeem the rebate. Rebates cannot be more than the purchase price and require the original dated receipt. Any coupons or merchandise on the bottle must be added by the manufacturer or its broker.

More vessels qualify for liquor sales

More passenger vessels qualify for alcohol licensing. The law lowers the threshold from 25 to 12 licensed passengers.

Tighter rules on reselling spirits

Agency liquor stores cannot resell bureau‑purchased spirits to bars or restaurants unless they hold a reselling‑agent license. Reselling agents may sell spirits to on‑premises retailers only if those spirits were bought from the bureau. Reselling agents may sell fortified wine to on‑premises retailers.

Off-site catering license and limits

Restaurants, clubs, hotels, B&Bs, golf courses, auditoriums, civic auditoriums, and performing arts centers can apply to cater alcohol at off-site events. The license costs $10 per calendar day. At events, they may sell only the types of alcohol allowed by their main license.

Rules for linked restaurant and retail

One business may hold both a restaurant license and an off‑premises retail license in different parts of the same building. Food must be available whenever on‑site drinks are sold. Public access between the two areas is allowed only with a wall or permanent barrier and one controlled doorway. Staff must serve drinks, and people may not carry malt liquor or wine between areas. Signs must clearly say transfers are not allowed.

Repeals align liquor licensing rules

The law removes four old liquor code sections (§1061 sub‑4, §1068, §1069‑A, and §1074). This cleanup aligns the statutes with the new license and venue rules. Effects vary based on what those sections previously did.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Laura Supica

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Timothy Guerrette

    Republican • House

  • Victoria Doudera

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 230

    5/1/2026

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

    6/3/2025Senate

  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.

    6/3/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-328) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-328), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/2/2025Senate

  5. 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" (H-328).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on February 6, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on VETERANS AND LEGAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    2/6/2025House

Bill Text

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