Bill > HB1498

This bill, concerning Class A beer, wine, and liquor licenses in Wicomico County, Maryland, introduces several restrictions on their issuance. Specifically, the Board of License Commissioners will be prohibited from issuing a Class A license to any establishment with more than 3,500 square feet of "retail floor space," which is defined as the area where alcoholic beverages and other items are displayed and sold. The bill also prevents the issuance of these licenses for certain restaurants, though it includes "grandfather provisions" to protect existing Class B license holders before July 1, 2026, allowing for renewals under specific conditions. Furthermore, the bill limits the issuance of Class A licenses to a maximum of one per "councilmanic district," which refers to a geographical area represented by a council member, and restricts the total number of Class A licenses in the entire county to three. The bill's changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1498?ys=2026RS