An Act To Facilitate a Change of Location for Agency Liquor Stores
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 28-A MRSA §453-D is enacted to read:
§ 453-D. Change of location
The bureau shall permit the relocation of an agency liquor store within the same municipality as prescribed by this section.
1. Relocation application requirements. The bureau shall permit a change of location of an agency liquor store licensee if:
A. The licensee submits a $2,000 relocation fee and an application in a form prescribed by the bureau;
B. The application includes proof of receipt of municipal approval of the relocation;
C. The licensee has held the license and operated as an agency liquor store for no less than one year at the currently licensed location, unless the relocation is directly related to retroactive zoning or unintentional destruction of the property that prevents rebuilding at the current location; and
D. The proposed location of the agency liquor store meets all applicable criteria for licensure for an agency liquor store.
2. Hearing on relocation application. Within 45 days of receipt of a relocation application under this section, the bureau, in accordance with the provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, shall conduct a hearing to take testimony, consider comment and deliberate on the proposed relocation. In addition to giving any notice required by the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, the bureau shall give notice of public hearing in writing to any agency liquor stores located in the same municipality as the applicant's proposed relocation site by regular mail at least 15 days prior to the hearing.
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 125th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.