Liquor board amends rule 2.21: approval window extended from 30 to 90 days with one extension

The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners voted to amend rule 2.21, changing the time limit for an applicant to complete required steps after board approval from 30 days to 90 days. The amendment allows one additional extension at the board’s discretion if requested at least two weeks before the approval period expires, but the extension cannot extend beyond the license-year renewal deadline (April 30).

Staff explained the change responds to repeated delays by applicants who must complete state-level actions — notably the comptroller’s bulk transfer approval — and to a past legal case in which the board ruled on violations for entities that had been granted approval but never picked up a license. Counsel advised that the board retain flexibility for exceptional, out‑of‑applicant control delays while guarding against indefinite approvals that complicate the renewal and protest processes.

Board members discussed setting a reasonable week-in-advance deadline for extension requests so that the request can be placed on an agenda. The motion put forward specified 90 days with the availability of a single extension if requested at least two weeks before expiration and that any extension cannot push approvals past April 30 of the license year. The motion was moved, seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.

Ending: Staff will draft the formal amendment language for review and return it to the board for final inclusion in the rule and regulation packet.