MarylandCounty board may issue more wine festival licenses each year
Starting July 1, 2026, the Board may issue multiple wine festival licenses each year, while choosing festival locations outside the 24th Legislative District.
What it does
The Board may issue more than one wine festival license each year to eligible retail and winery license holders.
The law removes the bar on issuing a license for use in the 24th Legislative District, but still requires the Board to choose festival locations outside that district.
Argument forRemoving the one-license yearly cap could let more eligible businesses hold wine festivals, giving residents more chances to buy and enjoy wine at them.
Argument againstOrganizers may have limited choices for festival sites and dates because the Board must avoid one district and schedule around other county festivals.
More detail
The Board may issue more than one wine festival license each year. This applies to wine festival licenses in Prince George’s County. The Board may issue licenses to holders of retail, Class 3 winery, or Class 4 limited winery licenses. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
The Board is no longer barred from issuing a license for use in the 24th Legislative District. This applies to wine festival licenses in Prince George’s County. The Board must choose festival locations outside the 24th Legislative District. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Approved by the Governor Wes Moore - Chapter 824Became Law
- Apr 13Returned Passed
- Apr 13Third Reading PassedPassed Senate
- Apr 10Second Reading Passed
- Apr 10Favorable AdoptedMinor
- Apr 10Favorable Report by FinanceMinor
- Mar 27
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
- Mar 23Referred FinanceMinor
- Mar 23Third Reading PassedPassed House
- Mar 21Second Reading Passed with Amendments
- Mar 21Favorable with Amendments {Minor
- Mar 21Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and ElectionsMinor
- Mar 11
- Vote recorded On Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13Hearing 2/23 at 1:00 p.m.
- Jan 28First Reading Government, Labor, and ElectionsIntroduced
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