Maryland SB 802: Garrett County - Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2026

Bill Text

WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 827

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Chapter 827
(Senate Bill 802)

AN ACT concerning

Garrett County – Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2026

FOR the purpose of adding a substitute member to the Board of License Commissioners for
Garrett County; establishing a certain special event permit that the Board may issue
to a holder of a Class 3 winery license or a Class 4 limited winery license; establishing
certain additional requirements for certain holders of certain licenses with catering
option; requiring the holder of a certain caterer’s license at a catered event to supply
certain service personnel, ensure that certain service personnel are present at all
times, and ensure the sale of food represents a specific amount of the total cost of the
event; requiring a certain statement on an alcoholic beverages license application
about the citizenship status of an applicant; and generally relating to alcoholic
beverages in Garrett County.

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis
Section 21–102
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis
Section 21–202(a) and (b), 21–204, 21–401, 21–602, 21–803, 21–804, 21–804.1,
21–806, 21–902, 21–903, 21–903.1, 21–905, 21–1002.1, 21–1201, and 21–1408
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)

BY adding to
Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis
Section 21–405.1
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis

21–102.

This title applies only in Garrett County.

Ch. 827 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND

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21–202.

(a) (1) The Governor shall appoint three members to the Board AND ONE
SUBSTITUTE MEMBER.

(2) The appointments shall be made:

(i) if there is a resident Senator elected from the county, with the
advice and consent of the Senate; or

(ii) if there is no resident Senator elected from the county, with
confirmation by the House of Delegates.

(b) (1) Each member of the Board shall be:

(i) a resident and voter of the county; and

(ii) an individual of high character and integrity and of recognized
business capacity.

(2) An individual who is receiving compensation from the county may not
be appointed to the Board.

(3) (i) Two members of the Board shall be members of the same political
party as that of a majority of the members of the Board of County Commissioners.

(ii) One member of the Board shall be a member of a political party
other than the one represented by a majority of the Board of County Commissioners.

(4) THE SUBSTITUTE MEMBER:

(I) MAY SERVE ON THE BOARD IN THE ABSENCE OF A QUORUM
OF THE REGULAR MEMBERS DUE TO ILLNESS OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST; AND

(II) HAS ALL OF THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF A REGULAR
MEMBER WHEN SERVING ON THE BOARD.

21–204.

(a) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Board shall meet at least
once each month.

(2) The chair may cancel a meeting for lack of an agenda.

WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 827

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(b) (1) In accordance with § 32.44 of the Garrett County Code of Ordinances,
the County Commissioners shall set the salaries of the members of the Board, INCLUDING
THE SUBSTITUTE MEMBER.

(2) When attending meetings, each member is entitled to reimbursement
for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

(c) The County Commissioners shall provide to the Board:

(1) administrative, clerical, and accounting services as needed; and

(2) (i) legal counsel through the office of the County Attorney; or

(ii) funds for the payment for competent private legal counsel.

21–401.

(a) The following sections of Title 2, Subtitle 2 (“Manufacturer’s Licenses”) of
Division I of this article apply in the county without exception or variation:

(1) § 2–201 (“Issuance by Comptroller”);

(2) [§ 2–205 (“Class 3 winery license”);

(3)] § 2–207 (“Class 5 brewery license”);

[(4)] (3) § 2–209 (“Class 7 micro–brewery license”);

[(5)] (4) § 2–211 (“Residency requirement”);

[(6)] (5) § 2–212 (“Additional licenses”);

[(7)] (6) § 2–213 (“Additional fees”);

[(8)] (7) § 2–214 (“Sale or delivery restricted”);

[(9)] (8) § 2–215 (“Beer sale on credit to retail dealer prohibited”);

[(10)] (9) § 2–216 (“Interaction between manufacturing entities and
retailers”);

[(11)] (10) § 2–217 (“Distribution of alcoholic beverages – Prohibited
practices”); and

Ch. 827 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND

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[(12)] (11) § 2–218 (“Restrictive agreements between producers and
retailers – Prohibited”).

(b) The following sections of Title 2, Subtitle 2 (“Manufacturer’s Licenses”) of
Division I of this article apply in the county:

(1) § 2–202 (“Class 1 distillery license”), subject to § 21–403 of this subtitle;

(2) § 2–203 (“Class 9 limited distillery license”), subject to § 21–40