Sponsored By: Senators Barry Glassman, Nancy Jacobs, and J.B. Jennings
Entitled: Harford County – Alcoholic Beverages – Special Class C-3 Miscellaneous Organization or Club License
Synopsis: Establishing a special Class C-3 (on-sale) beer, wine and liquor license in Harford County; specifying that the County Liquor Control Board may issue a special Class C-3 license only to specified organizations and clubs; authorizing a special Class C-3 license holder to sell or provide alcoholic beverages to specified persons for consumption on the licensed premises under specified circumstances; establishing specified annual fees for a special Class C-3 license; etc.
From the Sponsor(s): Glassman said SB 9 was requested by the Harford County Liquor Control Board over the summer and was being introduced as emergency legislation simply so it can be approved and be on the books in time for the Liquor Board’s renewal of licensees in Harford County this spring.
The proposed legislation would allow for holders of the new Class C-3 Club license (for profit clubs) to hold a limited number of events outside of their dues paying membership legally. The Club would be responsible and in control of all events held at the licensed location. This would ensure compliance to the alcohol beverage laws and enhance public safety, due to the fact that the licensee would be responsible. Any violations would be subject to hearings through the Liquor Control Board.
The license would also allow for the Club to collect additional revenues by holding licensed event functions in addition to Club membership dues. This would assist in sustaining the functionality of the Club especially in these hard economic times where Club memberships may possibly be down.
Use of this additional license by Class C-3 Clubs could expand the variety of activities/functions of the Club, i.e., conference centers, seminars, training programs, etc., bringing additional revenue not just to the Club, but also to surrounding businesses in Harford County through increased tourism as a result of these activities.
With all public events having to be pre-registered, the Liquor Control Board would be able to monitor activities at the Club and subsequently fulfill the legislative intent of the powers of the Liquor Control Board, which is to administer and enforce the proper sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.
Extra revenue received from Class C-3 Clubs who take advantage of the event fee schedule (10 events through 60 events – ranging from $250 to $850), would not put an additional financial burden on the Liquor Control Board (which is a self-funded quasi-governmental agency) to maintain personnel for appropriate inspections.
There are currently five Class C-3 licenses issued in Harford County, which could take advantage of this additional license. Maximum revenue generated by this additional license could be $4,250 for the Liquor Control Board.
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