OCEAN CITY – Local officials say a bill making its way through the General Assembly will allow for safer alcohol sales at large special events in Ocean City.
On Monday, officials with the Town of Ocean City and Worcester County Government came before the Economic Matters Committee in Annapolis to show their support for House Bill 113, which would establish a promoter’s license for selling beer, wine and liquor at special events held in the resort. In his testimony this week, Mayor Rick Meehan said the legislation would change the way alcohol could be sold at large festivals and concerts.
“The town strongly desires to continue to grow tourism through its special events and attract first-class performances and festivals to our area,” he said. “The town, however, equally desires to have a vehicle to allow for the service and sale of alcohol in the safest way possible. This bill accomplishes both goals.”
As proposed, House Bill 113 – filed by Del. Wayne Hartman and cross-filed in the Senate by Sen. Mary Beth Carozza – would authorize the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) to issue a promoter’s license to for-profit organizations wishing to sell and serve beer, wine and liquor at special events, provided that the event is located within the corporate limits of Ocean City, held on town-owned property and approved by the Ocean City Police Department and the Mayor and Council. The bill also establishes a license fee of $5,000.
“Presently in Ocean City, the only way alcohol can be sold at a special event is to have a local nonprofit organization purchase and serve the alcohol,” Meehan explained. “As the town continues to grow its special events, and as the attendance at these events continues to grow, the current manner in which alcohol can be sold at these events simply is not best practice.”
Awesome, let em drink
I can stop em and
get a NEW STATE POLICE car. for
my DAILY Quota
Ocean City seeks safer alcohol sales at larger events.
Just reading that sentence makes me laugh! Bwahahahahahah