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HB 564 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Venue Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

HB 564 creates a new "venue beer, wine, and liquor license" for Dorchester County, allowing nonprofit or for-profit businesses to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption during events where food is served. The license applies only to venues meeting specific criteria: at least 2,000 square feet, capable of accommodating 100 people, and with adequate bathrooms. It prohibits carrying alcohol off the premises, transferring the license, and requires annual $1,500 fees. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects event venues hosting weddings, banquets, or similar gatherings in Dorchester County.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025
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What changed between versions

First - Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Venue Beer, Wine, and Liquor License → Third - Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Venue Beer, Wine, and Liquor License · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to add a new provision requiring written consent from nearby places of worship or schools before issuing venue liquor licenses within 300 feet of them. This creates a new eligibility requirement that was not present in the original version. The bill also changed the document reference from a House Bill to a Chapter and updated the committee report status to favorable with amendments.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include a new distance-based restriction on venue licenses near religious and educational institutions, requiring written consent from those institutions to override the restriction.
ELIGIBILITY

Added requirement that venue licenses within 300 feet of places of worship or schools need written consent from those institutions

TECHNICAL

Changed document reference from House Bill to Chapter format

Updated committee report status to favorable with amendments

Changed repeal/reenactment section from Section 19-102 to Section 19-1601

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
8
Committee
6
May 20, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 820
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 with Amendments {
lower
Mar 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
First Reading Economic Matters
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.