SB 662 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Alterations

SB 662 requires licensees in Baltimore City’s 46th Alcoholic Beverages District (specifically those within 300 feet of a school or place of worship) to obtain both a letter of support from the nearby school or place of worship and a written agreement with a local community association before the Board of License Commissioners can issue or transfer a license. The bill also extends expiration dates for several specific licenses in designated Baltimore neighborhoods (like O’Donnell Street and Boston Street) to allow time for ownership transfers or location changes. These extensions apply to Class B, Class B-D-7, and Class D licenses for businesses seeking to move locations or convert license types. The law aims to balance business licensing with community input while providing temporary flexibility for existing license holders in defined areas.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 29, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025

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What changed between versions

Third - Baltimore City - 46th Alcoholic Beverages District - Licenses → Enrolled - Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Alterations · 7 edits · May 20, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enrolled, updating its title to reflect broader changes. It now authorizes the issuance of a new license in the 40th district, expands the list of districts where new licenses are restricted, and clarifies that certain food ingredients mixed with alcohol do not count toward restaurant sales requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from focusing primarily on the 46th district to include specific new licensing authority in the 40th district and restrictions on new licenses in the 40th through 45th districts.

ELIGIBILITY

Authorized the Board to issue a new Class A-7 license in the 1200 block of West North Avenue in the 40th district, subject to specific conditions like a memorandum of understanding and sales limited to gift baskets.

Authorized the Board to issue a new Class B license for a restaurant on the even side of the 400 block of West 29th Street in the 40th district.

REQUIREMENT

Added a restriction prohibiting the Board from issuing new licenses in the 40th, 41st, 43rd, 44th, and 45th alcoholic beverages districts.

Expanded the requirement for a memorandum of understanding to apply to any alcoholic beverages license in Baltimore City, not just specific license classes.

Updated the food sales threshold for restaurants from 51% to 40% of total daily receipts.

DEFINITION

Clarified that ingredients or garnishes mixed with alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption do not count as 'food' for restaurant requirements.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill's title, committee assignments, and procedural history to reflect its final enrolled status.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 23, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2025

How they voted

42–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 46

Mar 23, 2025

D Democratic33

30 Yea 3

90% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 20, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 814

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

lower

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

lower

Mar 23, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (42-0-4)

senate

Mar 7, 2025

Committee

Referred Economic Matters

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Committee

First Reading Finance

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors