HB 1238 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Somerset County - Alcoholic Beverages - Liquor Tasting License

HB 1238 creates a new "liquor tasting license" for Somerset County, allowing businesses with existing Class A beer, wine, and liquor licenses to offer free liquor tastings. The license permits customers to try up to half an ounce per offering (with a maximum of five offerings daily) without charge, strictly for sampling purposes. Businesses must pay fees based on duration - $20 for one day, $200 for 26 days, $300 for 52 days, or $400 for 104 days - added to their standard Class A license costs. The bill applies exclusively to Somerset County and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Somerset County - Alcoholic Beverages - Liquor Tasting License → Third - Somerset County - Alcoholic Beverages - Liquor Tasting License · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill progressed from first reading to third reading with minor formatting adjustments and the addition of committee approval and adoption status. The core legislative content regarding liquor tasting licenses remains substantively unchanged, with no new policy provisions or modifications to existing requirements.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; the bill continues to apply only to Somerset County as originally written.

TECHNICAL

Added committee report status showing favorable recommendation and house action showing adoption, indicating the bill has passed committee review and been adopted by the House.

Removed duplicate bill header information and formatting elements that were present in the first reading version but are now streamlined for the third reading.

Adjusted line numbering and formatting throughout the document to reflect the bill's progression through the legislative process, with no changes to substantive legal text.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 20, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 786

executive

Apr 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Mar 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Economic Matters

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

First Reading Economic Matters

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors