The Maryland General Assembly passed the following statewide legislative bills related to alcohol and tobacco laws. A brief synopsis of the bills is provided, along with the effective date and chapter number, if signed by the Governor. Also, approximately 34 legislative bills related to county alcohol licensure and regulation were passed during the 2008 session. For a summary of those pieces of legislation, visit the Maryland General Assembly’s Web site.
Senate Bill 9 (Chapter 343) Alcoholic Beverages - Beer Keg Sales - Registration Form: Requires a person who sells beer in kegs at retail in Prince George’s County to complete a specified registration form and to record on the copy of the registration form the purchaser’s identification number and the date the identification was issued. EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2008.
Senate Bill 118 (Chapter 369) House Bill 205 (Chapter 370)Alcoholic Beverages - Beer Manufacturer & Distributor Agreements - Obligation of Successor Manufacturer: Requires a successor beer manufacturer who terminates an agreement with a beer distributor to remunerate the beer distributor a sum equal to the fair market value calculated from the date of the termination for the sale of the beer; requiring a successor beer manufacturer to give notice to a surviving beer distributor before termination of specified agreements, and providing for other obligations of a successor beer manufacturer. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2008.
Senate Bill 188 (Chapter 568)Comptroller - Cigarette Business Licenses - Grounds for Disciplinary Action:Clarifies that applicants for cigarette business licenses and licensees must buy cigarettes for resale from a licensed cigarette manufacturer in order to be in compliance with specified provisions of law and not subject to disciplinary action by the Comptroller. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2008.
Senate Bill 745 (Effective October 1, 2008 by operation of law)Alcoholic Beverages - Definitions - Beer:Alters the definition of beer as used in Article 2B of the Code and Title 5 of the Tax - General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland to include “flavored malt beverages” in conformity with the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s regulations. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2008.
House Bill 76 (Chapter 566) Senate Bill 166 (Chapter 565)Furnishing an Alcoholic Beverage to Underage Individual - Penalty: Increases the penalty for furnishing an alcoholic beverage for consumption to an individual under the age of 21 years under certain circumstances by imposing a fine not to exceeding $2,500 for a first offense and a fine not exceeding $5,000 for a subsequent violation. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2008.
House Bill 703 (Chapter 86)Alcoholic Beverages - Special Brewery Promotional Event Permit: Establishes a special brewery promotional event permit to be issued by the Office of the Comptroller to a holder of a Class 5 manufacturer’s license, authorizing a permit holder to provide beer samples and sell beer at a promotional event under specified circumstances. EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2008.
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