Alcoholic Beverages - Prohibition on Class A Licenses for Chain Stores, Supermarkets, and Discount Houses - Repeal

SB 824 repeals a Maryland law that prohibited local licensing boards from issuing Class A alcoholic beverage licenses to chain stores, supermarkets, or discount houses. This change would allow large retail businesses (like Walmart or Target stores) to obtain licenses for on-premises alcohol sales in Maryland, which they were previously barred from doing under current law. The bill directly affects retail chains, supermarkets, and discount retailers seeking to sell alcohol on-site. The repeal takes effect July 1, 2025, modifying Section 4-205 of Maryland’s Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis law.