Alcoholic Beverage Days
Every year dozens of alcoholic beverage bills are introduced in the Maryland General Assembly which may have an impact on a specific county community, or could affect commerce throughout the State. These bills can only become Maryland law after careful consideration by the House of Delegates and State Senate during a 90 day session from January to April, a majority vote in each house, and final action by the Governor.
To shape these bills, each session the House Economic Matters Committee and Senate Finance Committee schedule their own date, known as “Alcohol Day,” for all alcoholic beverage bills to be heard by their Committee and give supporters and opponents an opportunity to present testimony to the respective committees.
This year on February 19, 2024 the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) first attended the House Economic Matters Committee’s Alcohol Day, and then returned to Annapolis to attend the Senate Finance Committee’s own Alcohol Day on February 23, 2024. The ECM Committee considered a total of 43 bills on February 19th, and the Senate Finance Committee considered 38 alcoholic beverage bills on February 23th. These bills, ranging from local matters to state-wide changes, have continued though consideration by each chamber, and by April 8th Maryland citizens will see many of these alcoholic beverages bills eventually become law either when the Governor signs the bill within the allotted time, or the bill is not vetoed within 30 days after the Maryland General Assembly passes the bill.
The ATCC’s participation throughout the legislative process is not limited to alcohol law, and we observe and offer information to lawmakers on bills related to tobacco and cannabis that are discussed throughout the session as well. The ATCC strives to balance regulatory stability with the innovative policies and challenges that Maryland’s new laws will address. By closely working with lawmakers, licensing administrators, and industry representatives, the agency ensures that the State’s regulatory framework is consistent and effectively supports and protects consumers and businesses across Maryland.
ATCC FY25 Budget Hearings
Each year the ATCC is required to present and testify in support of its fiscal year budget to the Maryland General Assembly to the appropriate House of Delegates and Senate committees. In the House of Delegates, the Subcommittee for Public Safety and Administration under the Appropriations Committee oversees the ATCC’s budget. In the Senate, the Subcommittee for Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment has jurisdiction over the agency’s budget.
On February 29, 2024, the ATCC appeared before the Maryland House Subcommittee for Public Safety and Administration to testify in support of the agency’s FY25 budget. Appearing before the Subcommittee, Executive Director Jeff Kelly responded to questions asked by Chair Jazz Lewis and other legislators concerning its budget. In his comments, Kelly highlighted that he was “happy to report that the ATCC was able to hire 21 of the 22 new pins” that the General Assembly awarded to the agency in FY24.
On March 4, 2024, the ATCC testified before the Maryland Senate Subcommittee for Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment in support of its FY25 budget. Both Kelly and Thomas R. Akras, Director of the Legal and Legislative Division, provided testimony and answered questions of Chair Sarah Elfreth and members of the Subcommittee.
Kelly and Akras informed the Subcommittee of its efforts during FY24 to perform outreach to jurisdictions throughout the State regarding the ATCC’s enforcement strategy as it relates to the unlicensed cannabis market. In response to a question, Akras stated that the ATCC included County Executives, State’s Attorney’s, and law enforcement to advise them of the impact of the Cannabis Reform Act and “set up relationships with the key players” in each jurisdiction to ensure appropriate prosecutions for unlicensed cannabis sales.
Through such engagement, the ATCC effectively balances the need for regulatory adjustments with the necessity to craft a regulatory framework that addresses industry challenges, meets licensee needs, ensures compliance with Maryland’s alcohol regulations, and harmonizes business interests with consumer protection.
