Politics & Government

10 Howard County Bills Proposed for 2014 State Legislative Session

Bills included one that would allow casino nights, another that would allow beer festivals, and several to fund charitable projects in the county.


The Howard County state delegation offered public comment on 10 bills proposed for the 2014 Maryland legislative session on Thursday night.

There was little controversy over any of them, according to the Howard County Times.

Here's a brief summary of each bill:

  1. Restrict liquor licenses by population - This bill would limit the number of liquor licenses that can be granted in the county to one license per 4,000 residents. The idea behind it is to limit the amount of liquor stores to prevent proliferation. It was introduced by Delegate Guy Guzzone and Delegate Warren Miller. County Council member Mary Kay Sigaty warned that passing this legislation might have the unintended consequence of making liquor licenses a commodity, according to the Howard County Times. (HO.CO 1-14)
  2. Salary raises for Board of Education members - Would raise salaries for the chairman of the board of education to $20,000 from $14,000 and raise the other elected members' salaries to $18,000 from $12,000. Also adds a $5,000 scholarship to the student member who completes a full term on the board. The legislation was submitted by Delegate Guy Guzzone and Senator James Robey. (HO.CO 02-14)
  3. Authorizing organizations to hold casino events - This bill would allow volunteer fire companies or war veterans' organizations to host casino events with a card game and/ or roulette. The organization would have to obtain a permit from the county and can not offer more than $5,000 in prizes at the event. The bill is submitted by Delegate Warren Miller. (HO.CO 3-14)
  4. Asking for $575,000 for Day Resource Center in Jessup -  The county administration submitted this legislation to ask for $575,000 to develop the Day Resource Center, which provides showers, laundry, internet access and basic living supplies to homeless and others. (HO.CO 4-14)
  5. $100,000 for Head Start Program - This one is also from the county administration. It asks for $100,000 to supplement the county's Head Start program, which provides preschool education to low-income students. (HO.CO 5-15)
  6. $125,000 for Historic Belmont Property - The county is asking for $125,000 to renovate the Historic Belmont Property and its gardens in Elkridge. (HO.CO 6-15)
  7. $200,000 for shaded structures at playgrounds - The $200,000 would be used to construct shaded structures at playgrounds in the county. (HO.CO 7-14)
  8. $175,000 for Hollofield play space - The link to the bill on the county's website is not listed for this one, but according to Tom Coale of HoCo Rising it would be used to make a handicap-accessible playground. This was introduced by Sen. Allan Kittleman. (HO.CO 8-14)
  9. Allow beer festivals with a license - Delegate Warren Miller submitted this one, which would allow a current alcoholic license holder in the county to host a one or two-day beer festival to specifically promote Maryland beer. (HO.CO 9-14)
  10. $250,000 grant to Community Action Council of Howard County - These funds would be used to expand the food bank run by the Community Action Council. (HO.CO 10-14)


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