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Friday, July 08, 2016

Breakdown of state legislation taking effect

New bills impacting county include issues related to liquor, amusements, safety

Sponsored by State Sen. Jim Mathias, SB 967, which passed unanimously in both chambers, allows package good stores to add spirits to the shelves by applying for Worcester County’s new Class A beer, wine and liquor license.

The county Board of License Commissioners will issue the expanded Class A licenses, for an annual fee of $4,500, and permit retail sales seven days a week week from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The just-enacted legislation redefines the distance restriction for sales in the proximity of four retail stores operated by the Department of Liquor Control, and also permits the county to sell said retail operations. The previous 10-mile safe-zone has now been reduced to one mile, and within Ocean City the distance is 10 blocks. These distance limitations expire on July 1, 2017, or earlier if county-operated dispensaries are sold to private interests.

Also officially in effect today is another piece of Mathias-sponsored legislation, SB 130, that establishes a refillable container permit for draft beer. This means beer aficionados can now have their growler refilled at bars and restaurants that apply for the $500 annual permit.

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is all about the money!

Forget about freedom or our rights for private business

Anonymous said...

What a nazi state. Cant wait to get out of here.

Anonymous said...

Jim Mathias - why don't you get a real life. With all that is wrong with Maryland's eastern shore business economy - and all you have to offer is more liquor legislation? Come-on let's get with the program and why don't you try and offer a real remedy to our sagging economies instead of sucking up to special interest.

People, Citizens of the eastern shore - you had better wake up and see why the rest of the nations is putting out to pasture - corrupt politicians.