Each operator prior to commencing business shall register with the Commissioner each place of business within the State where he or she operates a hotel or sells taxable meals or alcoholic beverages; provided, however, that an operator who sells taxable meals through a vending machine shall not be required to hold a license for each individual machine, and a booking agent shall not be required to hold a separate license for each property the rental of that it facilitates. Upon receipt of an application in such form and containing such information as the Commissioner may require for the proper administration of this chapter, the Commissioner shall issue without charge a license for each such place in such form as he or she may determine, attesting that such registration has been made. No person shall engage in serving taxable meals or alcoholic beverages or renting hotel rooms without the license provided in this section. The license shall be nonassignable and nontransferable and shall be surrendered to the Commissioner if the business is sold or transferred or if the registrant ceases to do business at the place named. (Added 1959, No. 217, § 4; amended 1971, No. 73, § 36, eff. April 16, 1971; 1981, No. 11; 1991, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. May 7, 1992; 2015, No. 57, § 89; 2019, No. 71, § 8.)