AUGUSTA — Some Maine legislators want to waive liquor license renewal fees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Louis Luchini, D-Ellsworth, said this is one way to help the restaurant industry, which has been among the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 restrictions.
“They faced mandatory closures, reduced capacity limits for almost a year, state-mandated curfews, decreased tourism, hesitance by some to dine indoors,” Luchini said.
Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages Director Gregg Mineo testified that so far this year, 327 businesses have renewed their liquor licenses.
Mineo said he would recommend the bill be amended to have a starting and ending date for the renewal fee waiver.
