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SB 846MARYLANDSession 2026State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Maryland creates temporary to-go alcohol permits and municipal event licenses in Worcester County starting July 2026

Original title: Worcester County - Alcoholic Beverages - Temporary To-Go Event Permit and Class C Per Diem Municipal To-Go Beer, Wine, and Liquor License

Last action · May 26, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 835Sponsor: Mary Beth Carozza

Companion · HB 1101same policy, House version
Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Does

Senate Bill 846 establishes a temporary to-go event permit and a Class C municipal to-go license for alcoholic beverages in Worcester County, allowing participating local businesses to sell drinks in approved to-go cups within designated special event areas beginning July 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Licensed bars, restaurants, and municipalities in Worcester County gain the legal authority to organize open-container special events where patrons can carry alcoholic beverages outside in approved containers, backed by a $20 daily permit fee for establishments and a $45 daily fee for municipalities.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Board of License Commissioners for Worcester County

The Board must establish regulations, conduct hearings, and issue the new temporary to-go event permits and municipal licenses.

Directly affected

Class B and Class D License Holders

Eligible establishments may apply for a temporary to-go permit to sell alcoholic beverages in approved cups for outdoor consumption within event areas.

Directly affected

Municipalities in Worcester County (Berlin, Pocomoke City, Snow Hill)

Eligible towns may apply for a Class C per diem municipal to-go license and establish designated special event areas requiring security and safety rules.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for the temporary to-go event permit in Worcester County?
Holders of a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license or a whose establishment is located within or immediately adjacent to a designated special event area may apply.
Which municipalities can receive a Class C per diem municipal to-go license?
The Town of Berlin, Pocomoke City, and the Town of Snow Hill are eligible to receive the license.
What are the fees associated with the new permits and licenses?
The fee for the temporary to-go event permit is $20 per day, and the fee for the Class C municipal to-go license is $45 per day.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

12 actions
  1. May 26, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolled
    Approved by the Governor - Chapter 835
  2. Apr 13, 2026SenateFloor
    Returned Passed
  3. Apr 13, 2026HouseFloor
    Third Reading Passed (117-0)
  4. Apr 11, 2026HouseFloor
    Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
  5. Apr 11, 2026HouseCommittee
    Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
  6. Mar 20, 2026HouseCommittee
    Referred Government, Labor, and Elections
Show 6 earlier actions
  1. Mar 19, 2026SenateFloor
    Third Reading Passed (45-0)
  2. Mar 17, 2026SenateFloor
    Second Reading Passed with Amendments
  3. Mar 17, 2026Senate
    Favorable with Amendments { 443423/1 Adopted
  4. Mar 16, 2026SenateCommittee
    Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance
  5. Feb 11, 2026Senate
    Hearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m.
  6. Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroduced
    First Reading Finance

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Mary Beth CarozzaSenate · District 38RepublicanSponsor

Connected Entities

Worcester County, Ocean City, Town of Snow Hill and 4 more
locationWorcester County“Jurisdiction where the alcoholic beverage permits and licenses apply.”Map →
locationOcean City“Corporate limits referenced within existing Class D license boundaries.”Map →
OrganizationTown of Snow Hill“A municipality eligible to receive a Class C per diem municipal to-go license.”Map →
PersonMary Beth Carozza“Sponsor of Senate Bill 846.”Map →
OrganizationPocomoke City“A municipality eligible to receive a Class C per diem municipal to-go license.”Map →
OrganizationTown of Berlin“A municipality eligible to receive a Class C per diem municipal to-go license.”Map →
OrganizationBoard of License Commissioners for Worcester County“The board authorized to issue the temporary to-go event permits and municipal li”Map →

Sources

Open source document

mgaleg.maryland.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance45
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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