Prince George's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Class B-SEC (Small Event Center) License PG 312-26
HB0443 creates a new Class B-SEC (Small Event Center) beer, wine, and liquor license for Prince George’s County. The bill defines a “small event center” as a venue that operates on a per-event basis or limited schedule rather than standard daily hours, and allows the county Board of License Commissioners to issue the license for venues with kitchen and dining facilities serving between 75 and 125 people. The license authorizes on-premises sales of beer, wine, and liquor to patrons attending events at the venue.
The bill also places limits on how many licenses may be issued: no more than 24 in a license year and no more than three in any State legislative district at one time. To qualify, a venue must meet minimum investment or appraised-value thresholds for dining and kitchen facilities, and food must be available during operating hours. The annual fee is set at $3,500, and the license may be used during the hours and days allowed for a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license, subject to county use and occupancy rules. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB0443 amends the Prince George’s County-specific alcoholic beverages provisions in the Maryland Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article by adding a new licensing category for small event centers. It expands the county’s licensing framework to accommodate smaller, event-based venues while imposing eligibility standards, operating limits, and issuance caps. The bill affects venue operators, the county Board of License Commissioners, and businesses seeking to serve alcohol at private or ticketed events in qualifying facilities.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded vote breakdown, so there is no detailed public debate to assess. The bill’s enactment and gubernatorial approval suggest it moved forward without documented controversy in the provided materials. Overall, the measure appears to have been treated as a targeted local licensing update rather than a broad policy dispute.
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or voting history. Based on the text alone, any potential concerns would likely center on the number of licenses allowed, the minimum capital or appraised-value requirements, and whether the new license could affect competition among existing restaurants, caterers, and event venues in Prince George’s County. However, the record provided does not identify any named opponents or supporters.