Alcoholic Beverage Tax - Ready-to-Drink Cocktails
Sponsor: Eric Ebersole (District 44A)Committee: Ways and MeansSubject: Taxes - MiscellaneousStatus: Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Establishing the alcoholic beverage tax rates for ready-to-drink cocktails at 60 cents for each gallon or 15.85 cents for each liter; and defining 'ready-to-drink cocktail' as a beverage that contains distilled spirits mixed with nonalcoholic beverages and may contain wine, is 12% or less alcohol by volume, and is contained in original packaging consisting of a container that is not more than 16 ounces.
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Testimony (7)
MGA witness listFAV 3FavorableUNF 2UnfavorableINFO 2Information only
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Pierce, Monica | 10th Ward | Oral |
| FAV | Smith, Emily | Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Delegate Ebersole, Delegate Ebersolelegislator | Individual | Oral |
| UNF | Crawford, Brian | Beer Institute | Oral |
| UNF | Bellamy, Lorenzolobbyist | Individual | Oral |
| INFO | Mayhew, Kim | For the National Beer Wholesalers Association | Written (PDF) |
| INFO | Garrison, Andrew | Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission | Written (PDF) |
Organizations on record
Registered lobbyists who testified
UNFBellamy, LorenzoRegistered for: ACLU of Maryland; Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding; American Forest & Paper Association; Americans for Patient Access; Avaya, Inc.; Bellamy Genn Group, LLC…