HB 655 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Wicomico County - Alcoholic Beverages - Temporary To-Go Event Permit and Class C Per Diem Municipal To-Go Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

HB 655 creates two new alcohol licensing options in Wicomico County. It establishes a "Class C per diem municipal to-go license" for the county to authorize special events, and a "temporary to-go event permit" for existing Class B license holders (restaurants/hotels) to sell beer, wine, and liquor in approved to-go cups during designated events in specific areas. The bill modifies Maryland's alcohol code to allow these sales outside the licensed premises but within event zones, with permits tied to the event's duration. This directly affects restaurants and event venues holding Class B licenses in Wicomico 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 24, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025
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What changed between versions

First - Wicomico County - Alcoholic Beverages - Temporary To-Go Event Permit and Class C Per Diem Municipal To-Go Beer, Wine, and Liquor License Third - Wicomico County - Alcoholic Beverages - Temporary To-Go Event Permit and Class C Per Diem Municipal To-Go Beer, Wine, and Liquor License · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill tracks the legislative progress of HB 655, which establishes a temporary to-go event permit system for alcoholic beverages in Wicomico County. The document shows the bill moved from first reading to second reading with a favorable committee report and adoption by the House. The substantive policy content regarding permit issuance, eligibility, and requirements remains unchanged from the first reading version.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on Wicomico County only, allowing Class B license holders to issue temporary to-go permits for events in designated special event areas connected to Class C municipal licenses.
TIMELINE

Added procedural markers showing the bill was adopted by the House and read for the second time on March 6, 2025, with a favorable committee report.

TECHNICAL

Changed the chapter placeholder from blank to 'CHAPTER ______' and updated bill reference numbers to reflect the Senate bill number (SB 798).

Added explanatory notes about how amendments are indicated (underlining and strike-through) in the statutory text.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2025

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 20, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 795
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
lower
Mar 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Economic Matters
lower
Mar 9, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (136-0-3)
house of delegates
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
First Reading Economic Matters
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.