Bill > HB714

This bill modifies the alcoholic beverages licensing regulations for performing arts nonprofit organizations in Harford County by removing references to the Comptroller of Maryland and changing several procedural requirements. Specifically, the bill eliminates the Comptroller's authority to suspend a license without a hearing and replaces mandatory language with discretionary language for the local Alcoholic Beverages Board. Under the new provisions, the Board may (rather than must) summon a license holder for a hearing if record-keeping violations are discovered, and may (instead of shall) impose a fine between $250 and $2,000 if charges are sustained. The bill maintains existing record-keeping requirements for license holders, such as maintaining complete and accurate records of alcoholic beverage sales and purchases, keeping those records for at least two years, and making them available for audit or inspection. The changes give the local Alcoholic Beverages Board more flexibility in how it handles potential violations by performing arts nonprofit organizations with beer, wine, and liquor licenses. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0714?ys=2025RS