Sec. 1. 28-A MRSA §453, sub-§2-A, as repealed and replaced by PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. SS, §1 and affected by §8, is amended to read:

2-A. Replacement of state liquor stores or agency liquor stores. The bureau may license up to 6 agency liquor stores in a municipality with a population over 20,000 where a state liquor store has been closed and up to 3 4 agency liquor stores in a municipality with a population of 20,000 or less where a state liquor store has been closed. In addition, the bureau may establish one agency liquor store in a municipality where no state liquor store has operated, and, if the population is over 3,000, the bureau may locate 2 stores within the municipality. The bureau may consider the impact of seasonal population or tourism and other related information provided by the town requesting a 2nd agency liquor store location.

SUMMARY

This bill allows the division within the Department of Public Safety designated by the Commissioner of Public Safety to enforce the law relating to the sale of liquor to license up to 4 agency liquor stores in a municipality with a population of 20,000 or less where a state liquor store has been closed. Current law allows 3 agency liquor stores in such a municipality.