October 12, 2025

Governor Wes Moore Restructures Baltimore Liquor Board

News Summary

Governor Wes Moore has removed three members from the Baltimore Board of Liquor License Commissioners, including its chair, in a significant overhaul. New appointments aim to bring stability as the board adapts back to gubernatorial oversight. The moves come amid community concerns and regulatory challenges as the board plays a vital role in the local business landscape by overseeing liquor licenses and ensuring compliance with laws.

Baltimore, Maryland –

Governor Wes Moore has made significant changes to the Baltimore Board of Liquor License Commissioners, removing three of its four members, including longtime chair Albert Matricciani Jr. This restructuring comes as the state shifts from mayoral control back to gubernatorial oversight over the board, a change prompted by a recent law that reinstates the governor’s authority to appoint and remove commissioners.

New appointee Donald L. Chambers Jr. joins the board, and Granville Templeton III has been appointed as the new chairman. The appointments aim to bring stability and focus to the board as it navigates its responsibilities amidst community and regulatory challenges.

The Baltimore Board of Liquor License Commissioners plays a critical role in the local business landscape by approving licenses for establishments such as restaurants, taverns, and liquor stores. The board is empowered to address violations of liquor laws and can issue penalties ranging from fines to suspensions or revocations of licenses. However, it does not have the authority to create laws.

Community engagement is an essential aspect of the board’s function, with residents able to interact through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that can set specific stipulations for businesses, including operating hours and cleanliness standards. The board consists of three commissioners and one alternate, with two seats currently left vacant following the removals of Edward L. Reisinger and alternate Harvey Jones.

Granville Templeton III emphasized his intention to build upon previous reform efforts to enhance the board’s performance in his new leadership role. As the board adapts to its new members, veteran members and community stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic about the direction it will take under this new leadership.

Steve Fogleman, a former board member, noted that Matricciani excelled at balancing the interests of community protection with the needs of businesses. His tenure was marked by increased oversight and community involvement, which some believe led to improvements in the board’s efficacy. A 2013 audit had previously criticized the enforcement of liquor laws, but subsequent reforms credited to Matricciani enhanced the agency’s reliability and performance.

Despite these positive developments, Denice Ko, deputy director for the Community Law Center, expressed concerns regarding the new members and how their approach might differ from previous leadership. Recent discussions in the governor’s office have revealed reluctance among state lawmakers to make substantial changes to liquor laws, even as public support grows for allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores.

The liquor board holds public hearings bi-weekly, providing an avenue for community members to voice their support or opposition to business license renewals. This ongoing interaction encourages transparency and accountability within the board as it carries out its duties.

The governors have historically appointed members to the liquor board, but this authority shifted to the mayor in 2016. However, in a legislative change last year, the governance returned to the state level in Maryland. The degree of authority held by liquor boards varies across different counties in the state, with some being appointed by local officials, reflecting the diverse regulatory landscape of Maryland’s liquor laws.

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Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER

The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.

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