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HB 987 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B-OB-CRD (Office Building - Commercial Revitalization District) Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

HB 987 modifies Baltimore County's alcohol license rules by creating an exception to the 300-foot distance restriction from places of worship. It allows the Board of License Commissioners to issue beer, wine, and liquor licenses (for on- or off-premises consumption) to restaurants or similar establishments in designated Office Building - Commercial Revitalization Districts (like Towson), provided the building is at least 100,000 sq ft, has specific BM-D.T zoning, and the place of worship gives written consent. This directly affects commercial establishments seeking licenses in these revitalization zones, bypassing the usual distance rule. The change applies only to Class B licenses for restaurants/markets (not Class A), effective July 1, 2025.
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 31, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages - Distance From Place of Worship Restriction - Exception → Third - Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B-OB-CRD (Office Building - Commercial Revitalization District) Beer, Wine, and Liquor License · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to expand its scope from a narrow exception for establishments near places of worship to a new Class B license category for office buildings in commercial revitalization districts. The changes shift the focus from proximity exceptions to zoning-based eligibility, allowing licenses for large office buildings (100,000+ sq ft) with specific zoning classifications, while maintaining distance requirements from places of worship.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a limited exception for existing licenses near places of worship to a new license category (Class B-OB-CRD) specifically for office buildings in commercial revitalization districts, changing the primary eligibility criteria from distance exceptions to zoning and building size requirements.
SCOPE

Created a new Class B-OB-CRD license category for office buildings in commercial revitalization districts, replacing the previous narrow exception framework

ELIGIBILITY

Changed eligibility criteria from primarily distance-based exceptions to zoning-based requirements (BM-D.T zoning classification) and building size (100,000+ square feet)

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for wine off-premises sales (must be purchased with prepared food and not displayed to public)

DEFINITION

Added new definition for Class B-OB-CRD license with specific restrictions on bar seating (maximum 25% of total seats)

TECHNICAL

Renumbered existing Section 13-1001.1 to 13-1001.2 and updated bill metadata including committee report and action status

Floor votes

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
8
Committee
6
May 20, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 797
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 31, 2025
Committee
First Reading Economic Matters
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.