HB 1474 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Transfers and Conversions

HB 1474 would change Baltimore County's rules for transferring and converting certain alcoholic beverage licenses. It allows businesses to transfer a Class B or Class D license from one election district to another if the original district has more licenses than its population-based limit (specifically, 10% more), and the new district has room for up to 25% more licenses than its limit. Transfers are limited to five total licenses and no more than two to any single district, and a Class D license must convert to Class B upon transfer - preventing further transfers or conversions. This affects alcohol license holders in Baltimore County, particularly those in districts exceeding population-based license limits, and takes effect July 1, 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Transfers and Conversions Third - Baltimore County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Transfers and Conversions · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was advanced to its third reading and amended to expand its scope from solely regulating license transfers to also mandating the conversion of specific existing Class B licenses into Class B hotel and restaurant licenses. The text was reorganized to repeal and reenact several sections of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis article, adding new provisions regarding the Towson Commercial Revitalization District while modifying restrictions on transferring and converting licenses in other districts.
Scope change
The bill's scope was broadened to include mandatory license conversions in addition to the existing rules governing license transfers between election districts.
SCOPE

The bill's purpose was updated to explicitly require the conversion of certain Class B beer, wine, and liquor licenses into Class B hotel and restaurant licenses by a specific date, in addition to regulating transfers.

REQUIREMENT

New text was inserted to repeal and reenact Sections 13-1705, 13-1706, 13-1707, and 13-1709, which appear to establish specific rules for transferring licenses into the Towson Commercial Revitalization District.

ELIGIBILITY

Restrictions on transferring and converting licenses were modified; a new subsection was added stating that Class B Service Bar licenses issued under a specific rule cannot be transferred or converted after issuance.

TECHNICAL

The bill's header information was updated to reflect its status as having been adopted by the House and reported favorably by the committee, and the chapter number placeholder was added.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

How they voted

490
Passed
Total votes 49
Mar 25, 2026
D Democratic36
36 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 832
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (49-0)
senate
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
Referred Finance
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Mar 11, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (139-0-3)
house of delegates
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.