An Act to Change the Number of Agency Liquor Stores Allowed in Certain Municipalities
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2088
Committee Amendment CA_A_S551 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " /\ " to S.P. 881, L.D. 2088, "An Act to Change the
Number of Agency Liquor Stores Allowed in Certain Municipalities"
Amend the bill by strikmg out the title and substituting the following:
'An Act to Change the Number of Agency Liquor Stores Allowed in Certain
IVIunicipalities and to Convene a Stakeholder Group Regarding Licensing and
Operations'
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the following:
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs, Bureau of
Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations awards available agency liquor store licenses
twice a year, once in the fall before the holidays and ski season and once in the spring
before the summer tourism season;and
Whereas, the department has not yet opened the spring round of agency liquor store
license awards; and
Whereas, the changes in this legislation need to take effect before the next round of
awards so that municipalities affected by the changes may be awarded an additional agency
liquor store license prior to the busy summer tourism season; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
the meaning of the Constihition of Maine and require the following legislation as
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
therefore,'
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 3 and inserting the following;
'Sec.3. 28-AMRSA §453, sub-§l-A, as amended by PL 202 l,c. 172, §1, is further
amended by amending the first blocked paragraph to read:
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " ft " to S.P. 881, L.D. 2088 ^5-$S'/
The bureau may issue one additional agency liquor store license beyond those otherwise
authorized by this subsection in a any municipality with a population of less than 10,000.
The bureau may consider the impact of seasonal population or tourism and other related
any information provided by the municipality requesting an additional agency liquor store
license.
Sec. 4. Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of
Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations to convene stakeholder group
regarding licensing and operation of agency liquor stores. The Department of
Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery
Operations shall convene a stakeholder group to examine how agency liquor stores, as
defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 28-A, section 2, subsection 1, are licensed and
operated in order to better understand how agency liquor stores are distributed throughout
the State and to evaluate the effectiveness of the current system for consumers, the general
public, local law enforcement officials, municipalities, the State and entities licensed in this
State for the sale of liquor. The stakeholder group must include, at a minimum,
representatives of agency liquor stores, on-premises retail licensees as defined in Title
28-A, section 2, subsection 27, paragraph B, off-premises retail licensees as defined in Title
28-A, section 2, subsection 27, paragraph A, certificate of approval holders under Title
28-A, sections 1361 and 1381 and in-state manufacturers licensed under Title 28-A, section
1355-A; wholesale licensees as defined in Title 28-A, section 2, subsection 34; municipal
representatives; and local law enforcement officials. No later than November 6, 2024, the
bureau shall submit a report summarizing any conclusions reached and proposals supported
by the stakeholder group, which may include suggested legislation, to the joint standing
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over alcoholic beverages matters. The
committee may submit legislation related to the report to the 132nd Legislature in 2025.'
Amend the bill by adding before the summaiy the following:
'Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
takes effect when approved.'
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
This amendment authorizes the Department of Administrative and Financial Services,
Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations to issue one additional agency
liquor store license to any municipality instead of to only a municipality with a population
of less than 15,000 as in the bill. In detennining whether to issue an additional license, the
6 bureau may consider any information provided by the municipality requesting an additional
agency liquor store license. The amendment directs the bureau to convene a stakeholder
group to examine how agency liquor stores are licensed and operated in order to better
understand how they are distributed throughout the State and to evaluate the effectiveness
of the current system for consumers, the general public, local law enforcement officials,
municipalities, the State and entities licensed in this State for the sale of liquor.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "^) " to S.P. 881, L.D. 2088 ^-
The amendment also adds an emergency preamble and an emergency clause.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved: 02/15/24 ^^^
LD 2088 LR 2638(02)
An Act to Change the Number of Agency Liquor Stores Allowed in Certain IVIunicipalities
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "/'['/<,<
Committee: Veterans and Legal Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Minor revenue increase - General Fund
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill allows the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (BABLO) to issue one additional agei
liquor store license to any municipality. Any additional revenue from these licenses is not expected to be significaUt
Any additional costs to BABLO as a result of convening a stakeholder group to evaluate the effectiveness of the
current liquor licensing system are anticipated to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.
LR2638(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1