Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

SB 854
                      Department of Legislative Services
                                Maryland General Assembly
                                      2021 Session
                           FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
                                 Third Reader
Senate Bill 854               (Senator Hershey)
Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs                           Economic Matters
  Queen Anne's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Unannounced Visits by Inspectors
This bill alters the requirement for an alcoholic beverages inspector in Queen Anne’s
County to inspect at unannounced times every licensed premises in the county from at least
once every 60 days to at least once every180 days. The bill takes effect July 1, 2021.
                                    Fiscal Summary
State Effect: None.
Local Effect: The bill is not anticipated to materially impact Queen Anne’s County
finances or operations.
Small Business Effect: None.
                                        Analysis
Current Law: In Queen Anne’s County, the board is required to appoint an alcoholic
beverages inspector with an annual salary of at least $3,000. The county must provide the
inspector a mileage allowance as determined by the county commissioners.
The inspector is required to:
          investigate all applicants for a license or transfer of a license;
          conduct an unannounced inspection of every licensed premises in the county at
           least once every 60 days;
          with specified exceptions, enforce all alcoholic beverages laws with the same
           power as a law enforcement officer of the State; investigate all violations of the
           alcoholic beverages laws and report them to the board;
          investigate all violations of the alcoholic beverages laws and report them to the
           board;
          submit specified monthly reports in writing to the board; and
          conduct compliance checks relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages to an
           individual under the age of 21 for every licensed premises in accordance with
           regulations adopted by the board.
                                Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: HB 349 (Delegate Arentz) - Economic Matters.
Information Source(s): Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History:      First Reader - February 17, 2021
an/tso                    Third Reader - March 19, 2021
Analysis by: Thomas S. Elder                            Direct Inquiries to:
                                                        (410) 946-5510
                                                        (301) 970-5510
SB 854/ Page 2
Statutes affected: 
Text - First - Queen Anne's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Unannounced Visits by Inspectors: 27-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 27-205 Alcoholic Beverages
Text - Third - Queen Anne's County - Alcoholic Beverages - Unannounced Visits by Inspectors: 27-102 Alcoholic Beverages, 27-205 Alcoholic Beverages