SB 793
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Enrolled - Revised
Senate Bill 793 (Senator Young)
Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Economic Matters
Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Consumption Permits
This bill establishes a beer and wine consumption permit (BWC) and a beer, wine, and
liquor consumption permit (BWLC) in Frederick County. The Frederick County Board of
License Commissioners is authorized to issue these permits to holders of Class A licenses,
as specified. The annual fee for the BWC permit is $200, and the annual fee for a BWLC
permit is $400. The bill takes effect July 1, 2021.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: None.
Local Effect: Frederick County revenues increase to the extent BWC and BWLC permits
are issued under the bill. Frederick County can handle enforcement activities with existing
resources.
Small Business Effect: Minimal overall, but potential meaningful impact for permit
holders from sales of alcohol for on-premises consumption, as specified, under the bill.
Analysis
Bill Summary: The BWC permit authorizes the holder to allow for on-premises
consumption of beer and wine. An applicant for the permit is required to submit to the
board an application on a form that the board provides. The board may issue the permit
without a public hearing. If an initial permit application is denied, the applicant may request
a public hearing before the board. Renewal of the permit may be made when the license
holder’s Class A license is renewed. An individual may consume up to 12 total announces
of beer or up to 6 total announces of wine only on the licensed premises of the permit
holder. The permit holder is prohibited from allowing an open container to be taken from
the licensed premises and from serving open alcoholic beverages from a drive-through
window.
The BWLC permit authorizes the holder to allow for on-premises consumption of beer,
wine, and liquor. An applicant for the permit is required to submit to the board an
application on a form that the board provides. The board may issue the permit without a
public hearing. If an initial permit application is denied, the applicant may request a public
hearing before the board. Renewal of the permit may be made when the license holder’s
Class A license is renewed. An individual may consume up to 12 total ounces of beer, up
to 6 total ounces of wine, or up to 1.5 total ounces of liquor, as specified, only on the
licensed premises of the permit holder. The permit holder is prohibited from allowing an
open container to be taken from the licensed premises and from serving open alcoholic
beverages from a drive-through window.
Current Law: In Frederick County, a Class A beer and wine license and a Class A beer,
wine, and liquor license authorize the license holders to sell specified alcoholic beverages,
at retail, at the license premises. License holders are generally required to sell alcohol in a
sealed package or container that may not be opened or its contents consumed on the
licensed premises.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: HB 1242 (Frederick County Delegation) - Economic Matters.
Information Source(s): Frederick County; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - March 3, 2021
rh/tso Third Reader - March 19, 2021
Enrolled - April 26, 2021
Revised - Amendment(s) - April 26, 2021
Analysis by: Hillary J. Cleckler Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
SB 793/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Consumption Permits: 20-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-207 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-1102.1 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-1102.2 Alcoholic Beverages
Text - Third - Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Consumption Permits: 20-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-207 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-1102.1 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-1102.2 Alcoholic Beverages
Text - Enrolled - Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Consumption Permits: 20-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-207 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-1102.1 Alcoholic Beverages, 20-1102.2 Alcoholic Beverages