Carroll County catering facilities would be allowed to serve alcohol at their New Year's Eve parties and other events if the General Assembly approves a new bill this year.
The bill, sponsored by state Del. Richard C. Matthews, a Carroll County Republican, would allow caterers to provide alcohol at up to eight events a year in their own facilities.
It also would allow them to serve alcohol at off-site functions, such as in client homes and fire halls.
Mr. Matthews drew up the bill at the request of Larry Wilhelm, owner of Wilhelm Ltd. Caterers.
Mr. Wilhelm, who recently converted the Westminster Friendly Farm Restaurant into a catering facility, wanted permission to continue providing alcohol at off-site parties.
"I asked the liquor board, 'Why don't you allow caterers to pay some more for their liquor licenses and take the alcohol off premises?' " Mr. Wilhelm said.
"They told me they couldn't because of state law."
Currently, restaurant owners who serve at least two meals a day may apply for a caterer's provision on their liquor license. That addition allows them to serve alcohol at parties they cater off the restaurant premises, said Ron Lau, administrator of the Carroll County Board of License Commissioners.
"Of course, they don't have to worry about sponsoring their own events," he said. "They are in the business to do that."
However, people who only cater events cannot provide alcohol for their clients.
Families who want liquor at a wedding reception must purchase it themselves, and nonprofit groups selling tickets to a fund-raiser, such as a Lions Club bull roast, are required to apply for a one-day license, Mr. Lau said.
"Basically, this bill would allow caterers to do the same thing restaurants are doing now," he said. "[Under the current law,] if a caterer would come in and cater a bull roast and provide the alcohol, his license would be in jeopardy. . . ."
The bill was approved by the six-member Carroll County delegation Wednesday by a vote of 4-1.
Del. Richard N. Dixon, a Democrat, voted against the proposal, and state Sen. Larry E. Haines, a Republican, abstained.
Mr. Wilhelm said that, when he requested the bill, he was not thinking of the holiday dinners he plans on providing in the former Friendly Farm.
Typically, those events are alcohol-free, he said.
However, the new bill -- if passed -- would allow him to consider expanding the holiday list to include a New Year's Eve party, he said.
