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HB 443 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B-SEC (Small Event Center) License PG 312-26

HB 443 creates a new Class B-SEC (Small Event Center) alcohol license in Prince George's County for venues that host events on a per-event basis without standard daily hours. It allows venues with kitchen/dining facilities for 75-125 people to serve beer, wine, and liquor during events, requiring a minimum $500,000 capital investment (excluding land/buildings) and food service during events. The bill limits the county to issuing no more than 24 total licenses per year and max 3 licenses per state legislative district at any time. The annual license fee is $3,500, and the license is effective July 1, 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B-SEC (Small Event Center) License PG 312-26 → Third - Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B-SEC (Small Event Center) License PG 312-26 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to clarify the financial requirements for obtaining a Small Event Center license, splitting the capital investment rule into two distinct categories based on the facility's status. Additionally, the text was reorganized to align with standard legislative formatting conventions.
REQUIREMENT

The minimum capital investment requirement was split into two scenarios: $350,000 for centers currently under construction or approved, and $350,000 for centers open to the public (note: the original text listed $500,000 for construction and $350,000 for open centers, but the amendment text provided shows $350,000 for both categories in the new lines, suggesting a potential reduction or clarification of the threshold for new construction).

The capital investment threshold for facilities under construction or approved was changed from $500,000 to $350,000.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was restructured to insert the standard 'SECTION 1' and 'That the Laws of Maryland read as follows' preamble, replacing the previous direct insertion of the article title.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

How they voted

49–0
Passed
Total votes 49
Mar 26, 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
17
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 838
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (49-0)
senate
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
Referred Finance
upper
Mar 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted
lower
Mar 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Mar 9, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (125-0-17)
house of delegates
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.