Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Venue Beer, Wine, and Liquor License
SB 802 creates a new "venue beer, wine, and liquor license" for Dorchester County, allowing nonprofit or for-profit businesses to serve alcohol during events where food is provided. The license applies only to venues meeting specific criteria: at least 2,000 square feet, accommodating 100+ people, and having adequate bathrooms. It permits on-premises sales of beer, wine, and liquor by the drink or bottle during events like weddings or banquets, but prohibits carry-out and requires food service during the event. The annual license fee is $1,500, and the license cannot be transferred to another location.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Signed May 20, 2025
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First - Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Venue Beer, Wine, and Liquor License
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Third - Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Venue Beer, Wine, and Liquor License
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3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to add a new provision that allows the Board of License Commissioners to issue venue licenses to establishments located within 300 feet of a place of worship or school, provided they receive written consent from those institutions. This expands eligibility for venue licenses beyond the original criteria that only required meeting size, capacity, and facility requirements.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include a new exception allowing licenses near places of worship and schools with consent, whereas the original version did not address proximity restrictions.
ELIGIBILITY
Added new Section 19-1601 establishing a 300-foot distance restriction from places of worship and schools, with an exception allowing licenses if written consent is obtained from those institutions.
REQUIREMENT
Modified the bill structure to include new repeal and reenactment provisions for Section 19-1601 in addition to the existing Section 19-102 and 19-1001 provisions.
TIMELINE
Added Senate action status showing the bill was adopted and read second time on February 16, 2025, with a favorable committee report.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 18, 2025
How they voted
43–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 46
Feb 18, 2025
D
Democratic33
93% Yea
R
Republican13
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 20, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 821
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Economic Matters
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Committee
Referred Economic Matters
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (43-0-3)
senate
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
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