St. Mary's County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Multiple Licensing Plans

HB 574 modifies St. Mary’s County’s alcoholic beverage licensing rules by limiting how many Class B restaurant licenses a single person or entity can hold. It authorizes the county’s Board of License Commissioners to issue up to three Class B licenses (for separate locations), but prohibits owning more than one license if the license permits off-premises alcohol sales. The bill also defines "indirect interest" broadly to include shared ownership, franchises, common branding, or financial ties between businesses. These changes apply only to St. Mary’s County and take effect July 1, 2025. The law directly affects restaurant owners and license holders seeking multiple locations in the county.