HB 185
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader
House Bill 185 (Delegate T. Branch)
Economic Matters Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
Alcoholic Beverages - On-Sales - Required Multiple Purchases
This bill prohibits an alcoholic beverages license holder in the State (or an employee of a
license holder) from conditioning the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises
consumption on the purchase of more than one alcoholic beverage. The issuer of an
alcoholic beverages license may revoke or suspend the license for violating this
requirement. Additionally, the bill establishes criminal penalties for such a violation.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill’s penalty provisions are not anticipated to have a material impact
on State finances or operations.
Local Effect: The bill’s penalty provisions are not anticipated to have a material impact
on local finances or operations. Local alcoholic beverages licensing boards can enforce the
bill using existing budgeted resources.
Small Business Effect: Minimal.
Analysis
Bill Summary: Instead of or in addition to suspending or revoking the license, a person
who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to up to
one year in prison, or a fine up to $1,000, or both for each offense.
Current Law: The State’s 23 counties and the cities of Baltimore and Annapolis all have
boards of license commissioners to issue retail alcoholic beverages licenses. Each
jurisdiction generally has its own regulatory structure and rules governing the issuance of
and privileges associated with alcoholic beverages licenses.
Within each jurisdiction, the most common type of retail licenses are Class A, Class B,
Class C, and Class D licenses. Each license authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages in a
different manner. Class A licenses are generally issued to liquor stores and allow
off-premises consumption. Class B licenses are generally issued to restaurants and hotels
but allow off- and on-premises consumption. Class C licenses are generally issued to clubs
and nonprofit organizations and allow on-premises consumption. Class D licenses are
generally issued to bars and taverns and allow on- and off-premises consumption
depending upon the local jurisdiction.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Judiciary (Administrative Office of the Courts); Harford,
Montgomery, Talbot, and Wicomico counties; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 12, 2021
rh/tso Third Reader - March 11, 2021
Analysis by: Richard L. Duncan Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 185/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Alcoholic Beverages - On-Sales - Required Multiple Purchases: 17-102 [], 26-102 [], 15-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 21-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 27-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 33-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 6-301 Alcoholic Beverages, 6-317 Alcoholic Beverages, 9-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 92-701 Alcoholic Beverages, 10-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 10-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 11-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 11-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 12-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 12-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 13-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 13-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 14-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 14-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 15-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 15-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 16-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 16-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 17-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 17-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 18-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 18-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 19-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 19-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 21-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 21-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 22-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 22-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 23-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 23-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 24-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 24-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 25-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 25-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 26-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 26-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 27-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 27-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 28-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 28-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 29-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 29-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 30-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 30-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 31-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 31-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 32-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 32-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 33-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 33-2701 Alcoholic Beverages
Text - Third - Alcoholic Beverages - On-Sales - Required Multiple Purchases: 17-102 [], 26-102 [], 15-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 21-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 27-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 33-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 6-301 Alcoholic Beverages, 6-317 Alcoholic Beverages, 9-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 92-701 Alcoholic Beverages, 10-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 10-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 11-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 11-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 12-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 12-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 13-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 13-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 14-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 14-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 15-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 15-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 16-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 16-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 17-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 17-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 18-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 18-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 19-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 19-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 21-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 21-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 22-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 22-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 23-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 23-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 24-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 24-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 25-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 25-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 26-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 26-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 27-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 27-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 28-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 28-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 29-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 29-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 30-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 30-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 31-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 31-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 32-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 32-2701 Alcoholic Beverages, 33-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 33-2701 Alcoholic Beverages