# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 3. State Licensing

### Subtitle 1. Applications for State Licenses

#### Section 3-101

An application for a manufacturer's license, wholesaler's license, Class E (water vessel) license, Class F (railroad) license, Class G (airplane) license, or statewide caterer's license shall be filed with the Executive Director.

#### Section 3-102

To be issued a manufacturer's license or a wholesaler's license, an individual applicant shall be a resident of the State at the time the application is filed.

#### Section 3-103

An application for a license shall disclose the name and address of the business entity on whose behalf the application is made and the name and address of each individual applicant.

#### Section 3-104

(a)

  (1) If an application for a license is made for the use of a partnership, the license shall be issued to three individuals.

  (2) Each of the individuals shall qualify as:

    (i) an individual general partner; or

    (ii) if a general partner is a corporation, an officer of the corporation as an individual.

(b)

  (1) If a partnership has fewer than three general partners, the names of each general partner shall be on the license.

  (2) Each of the three general partners or corporate officers shall:

    (i) be a resident of the State at the time the application is filed; and

    (ii) remain a resident of the State for the duration of time the license is in effect.

#### Section 3-105

(a) This section applies to:

  (1) a corporation; and

  (2) a club, whether incorporated or unincorporated.

(b)

  (1) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, a license on behalf of a corporation or club shall be applied for and issued to three officers of the corporation or club as individuals.

  (2) At least one of the three officers shall:

    (i) be a resident of the State at the time the application is filed; and

    (ii) remain a resident of the State for the duration of time the license is in effect.

(c) If a corporation has fewer than three officers or directors, all officers or directors shall apply for a license.

(d) In a close corporation, at least one individual stockholder may apply for a license if:

  (1) the close corporation does not have officers or directors; and

  (2) there is an affirmative vote of a majority of the stockholders.

(e) An application for a corporation or a club license shall include:

  (1) the name and address of each officer;

  (2) the name and address of the corporation or club; and

  (3) the signatures of the president or vice president of the corporation or club and of the three officers to whom the license shall be issued.

#### Section 3-106

(a)

  (1) A license for the use of a limited liability company shall be applied for and issued to, as individuals:

    (i) all of the authorized individuals, if the limited liability company has fewer than three authorized individuals; or

    (ii) three authorized individuals, if the limited liability company has three or more authorized individuals.

  (2) At least one of the authorized individuals shall:

    (i) be a resident of the State at the time the application is filed; and

    (ii) remain a resident of the State for the duration of time the license is in effect.

(b) An application for a limited liability company license shall include:

  (1) the name, address, and signature of each authorized individual to whom the license shall be issued; and

  (2) the name and address of the limited liability company.

#### Section 3-107

The Executive Director may retain from the license and permit fees that are collected an amount to pay for:

(1) the cost of refunds issued in accordance with Sec. 3-108(b) of this subtitle; and

(2) the administrative expenses incurred by the Executive Director to discharge its duties under this article.

#### Section 3-108

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a license holder is not entitled to a refund of the unearned portion of the license fee.

(b) A refund shall be issued to a license holder on surrender of the license if:

  (1) receivership or bankruptcy of the business entity on whose behalf the license was issued occurs and a license transfer is not requested, with the refund issued for the benefit of the creditors of the license holder;

  (2) the license holder dies, with the refund issued for the benefit of the estate of the deceased license holder;

  (3) the license holder volunteers for or has been called into the uniformed services or the organized State militia;

  (4) the license holder surrenders a license and obtains a new license of another class carrying a higher fee, with the refund deducted from the higher fee;

  (5) the license holder, against whom charges are pending when the license is renewed, is found guilty and the license is revoked, with the refund issued to the license holder in an amount based on the date that the revocation becomes final;

  (6) the issuance of a license by the Executive Director is reversed on judicial review and the operation of the establishment is prohibited, with the refund issued to the license holder in an amount based on the date that the refusal to grant the renewal becomes final; or

  (7) the licensed premises is taken by the federal government, the State, or a municipality for public use.

#### Section 3-109

(a) This section does not apply to temporary or miscellaneous licenses.

(b) The fee for a license issued for less than 1 year is:

  (1) the full annual license fee, if the license is issued during the first quarter of the license year;

  (2) three-fourths of the annual license fee, if the license is issued during the second quarter of the license year;

  (3) one-half of the annual license fee, if the license is issued during the third quarter of the license year; and

  (4) one-fourth of the annual license fee, if the license is issued during the fourth quarter of the license year.

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Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)