Bill > HB456

This bill establishes a new "gift basket permit" in Howard County, Maryland, allowing businesses whose primary operation involves selling flowers and gift baskets to also sell and deliver gift baskets containing beer, wine, or liquor. The permit holder must be a business that sells flowers and gift baskets of flowers, food, or other items, and cannot hold any other alcoholic beverage licenses. The permit allows for the sale and delivery of specific quantities of beer (up to 72 ounces), wine (up to 2.25 liters), or liquor (up to 2.25 liters) within gift baskets to individuals of legal drinking age, with the requirement that the recipient must show proof of being at least 21 years old. Importantly, this new permit is exempt from the usual distance requirements that prevent the issuance of alcoholic beverage licenses near public schools, and the annual sales of alcoholic beverages under this permit cannot exceed 10% of the holder's total annual gross sales. The fee for this gift basket permit is set at $100, and the bill specifies that the alcoholic beverages included in the gift baskets must be purchased from a licensed retailer.

Government Affairs

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0456?ys=2026RS