Dorchester County - Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Fees
Summary
HB566 is a local alcohol licensing fee bill for Dorchester County. It updates the annual fees for several classes of beer, beer-and-wine, beer-wine-and-liquor, caterer’s, and per diem licenses, with some fees increasing and others decreasing. The bill also creates a new authority for the Dorchester County Board of License Commissioners to assess a nonrefundable application fee for new licenses and a separate transfer fee when a license changes hands.
The bill amends provisions in the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article that apply only to Dorchester County. It changes the fee schedule for Class A, B, C, and D licenses and adds Section 19-1408 to authorize application fees of $150 or $200 depending on license type, plus a $50 transfer fee per license transfer. The application fee does not apply to renewals or transfers for the same premises. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB566 changes local licensing costs and administrative fee authority in Dorchester County, affecting alcohol license holders, applicants, and transferees. It does not create a statewide policy change, but it does amend the county-specific provisions of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article by revising fee amounts and giving the local licensing board explicit authority to charge application and transfer fees. Businesses seeking new licenses or transfers in Dorchester County will face the updated fee structure beginning July 1, 2025.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the House 138-0 and the Senate 47-0, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers. The absence of committee transcript discussion also suggests there was little public or legislative dispute over the measure.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The only likely points of interest are the fee increases for some license classes, the fee decreases for others, and the new nonrefundable application and transfer fees authorized for the county board. Any concern would likely come from current or prospective license holders in Dorchester County who may face higher costs, but the unanimous votes suggest no organized opposition was reflected in floor action.