An Act To Facilitate the Expansion of the State's Liquor Distribution System
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 28-A MRSA §453, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. JJJJ, §1, is further amended to read:
2-A. Limitation on number of agency liquor stores. Beginning July 1, 2009, the bureau may license up to 12 agency liquor stores in a municipality with a population over 45,000; up to 8 agency liquor stores in a municipality with a population over 20,000 but less than 45,001; up to 5 agency liquor stores in a municipality with a population of at least 10,001 but less than 20,001; up to 4 agency liquor stores in a municipality with a population of at least 5,001 but less than 10,001; and up to 3 agency liquor stores in a municipality with a population of at least 2,000 but less than 5,001. In addition, the bureau may establish one agency liquor store in a municipality where the population is less than 2,000. The bureau may consider the impact of seasonal population or tourism and other related information provided by the municipality requesting an additional agency liquor store location.
Nothing in this subsection may be construed to reduce the number of agency stores the bureau may license in a municipality as of June 30, 2009.
summary
This bill authorizes the licensing of 12 agency liquor stores in a municipality with a population over 45,000 to provide larger municipalities with more equitable access to agency liquor stores.