1. (a)

   1. (1) A protest against a license renewal may be filed with the Administration by at least 10 individuals who are:

      1. (i) residents, commercial tenants who are not holders of or applicants for a license, or real estate owners; and
      2. (ii) located within 1,000 feet of the licensed premises.

   2. (2) A protest against a license renewal shall:

      1. (i) be on the basis of:

         1. 1. a violation of this title;
         2. 2. a violation of civil or criminal law;

         3. 3. conduct by a licensee that creates or maintains conditions that allow other individuals to act in a manner that disturbs the public peace, including:

            1. A. obstruction of public rights-of-way by unruly crowds;
            2. B. assault, battery, or other disorderly conduct that disturbs the public peace;
            3. C. vandalism; or
            4. D. littering; or
         4. 4. any other violation established by the Administration by regulation; and
      2. (ii) be signed under oath.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a protest against a license renewal is filed at least 30 days before the license expires, the Administration may not approve the renewal without holding a hearing.
   2. (2) The Administration may approve a license renewal without a hearing if the Administration finds that the basis of the protest filed against the renewal is without any reasonable ground.

3. (c) In hearing and making a determination on a protest filed against a license renewal, the Administration:

   1. (1) may consider only:

      1. (i) issues arising out of specific complaints about the operation of the licensed premises; and
      2. (ii) the performance of the license holder for the 4-year period immediately preceding the date of the renewal application; and
   2. (2) may not consider zoning issues.
4. (d) The Administration may adopt regulations to implement this section.

Added by Acts 2024, c. 244, § 1, eff. June 1, 2024.