Bill > SB542

This bill requires the Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs (the Office) to contract with an independent consultant to conduct a comprehensive study of the alcoholic beverages industry's distribution and retail sectors in Maryland. The study aims to analyze minority participation in the industry by collecting detailed data on current and historical business demographics, including participation rates, brand ownership, and business relationships. Specifically, the study will examine the names and numbers of brands, brand owners, distillers, importers, manufacturers, producers, and winemakers, while also comparing Maryland's industry structure to other states and identifying potential discrimination barriers. The bill mandates that all State and local alcoholic beverage license holders must cooperate by providing requested information within 75 days, with the understanding that such information will be treated as confidential and used only for the study's purposes. The Office is required to submit a report with recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, 2026, with the goal of identifying ways to enhance minority business participation in the alcoholic beverages industry. The bill will take effect on June 1, 2025, and will automatically expire on June 30, 2027.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0542?ys=2025RS