WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 1031
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Chapter 1031
(Senate Bill 933)
AN ACT concerning
Harford County – Alcoholic Beverages – Performing Arts Theater License
FOR the purpose of altering eligibility for a performing arts theater license in Harford
County by altering the definition of “performing arts theater” and authorizing the
Board of License Commissioners for Harford County to issue the license to a certain
for–profit theater, rather than a nonprofit theater; authorizing the holder of the
license to sell liquor for on–premises consumption in addition to beer and wine;
altering the license fee; and generally relating to alcoholic beverages licenses in
Harford County.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis
Section 22–102
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2016 Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis
Section 22–1005.2 and 22–1501(b)(2)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2016 Volume and 2023 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis
22–102.
This title applies only in Harford County.
22–1005.2.
(a) In this section, “performing arts theater” means an area, a building, or a
structure designed and used for plays, acts, dramas, concerts, or histrionics by actors or
actresses performing on a stage [or the showing of movies or films].
(b) There is a performing arts theater beer [and], wine, AND LIQUOR license.
Ch. 1031 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(c) The Board may issue the license for use on the premises of a performing arts
theater operated by a [nonprofit] FOR–PROFIT organization.
(d) The license authorizes the holder to sell or serve beer [and], wine, AND
LIQUOR at retail for on–premises consumption.
(e) The license holder may sell or serve beer [and], wine, AND LIQUOR:
(1) 1 hour before and after a performance;
(2) during a performance;
(3) during an intermission; and
(4) during a reception 1 hour before or 1 hour after a performance.
(f) The license may not be transferred to another location.
(g) The license holder shall purchase beer [and], wine, AND LIQUOR from an
authorized and licensed wholesaler.
(h) Issuance of a license under this section does not prohibit the Board from
issuing a Class C per diem license that applies to the performing arts theater.
(i) The license holder shall serve or offer for sale snacks at all times when beer
[and], wine, AND LIQUOR are sold.
(j) (I) The annual license fee is [$500] $1,500.
22–1501.
(b) The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 2 (“Issuance or Denial of Local
Licenses”) of Division I of this article apply in the county:
(2) § 4–203 (“Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses to individual or
for use of entity”), subject to §§ 22–1503 and 22–1504 of this subtitle and Subtitle 13, Part
III [and], Subtitle 16, Part II, AND § 22–1005.2 of this title;
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
1, 2024.
Approved by the Governor, May 16, 2024.