[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6324902,"mediaKeyId","2335324-5d80774702de6ffd34cdc93636f4fd72","parentId",2335324,"title","Legal cigar lounges with on-site alcohol draw opposition from health groups and restaurants","audioSeconds",5292,"startMs",12090000,"endMs",17382000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335324-5d80774702de6ffd34cdc93636f4fd72&start=12090&end=17382","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335324-5d80774702de6ffd34cdc93636f4fd72/thumbnail_12090000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324902/Maryland/Legal-cigar-lounges-with-on-site-alcohol-draw-opposition-from-health-groups-and-restaurants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324902-198d617725c7957ff6c353b534922458/orig.mp4?Expires=1775300314&Signature=KTMf-rUUDkyNH0uxizdfH3eJSNC2DIfz5IUpNCnoT1qaoh1CGRtBoZyquQYj-KCodAwjqT3~QBD-rt36Pi2aPkECjOUTv209qtaa0BTXcOxwD6QpHijAYYvXA3vuRBA9BruxGY6sBOJkTsPktKOOhZDP7NURUeVWAgJBQBzwpvIZHw6BiJ3Im1OBY2fq9JTTWn3FW0UQEeB-EJEVaMuHMGArkgEXcWhCmPhcaHKBYkPgGPSiJPoUCWAtqvUP5JGSAIV0~a8KwWn7a8Ga6JttXPt7H8eEfTi1F03ilQUdon7z14WbuVqmksGMnKHIiOh86d8oejq7S53zlmKpl~~bXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MGA - ECM","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","At an Economic Matters Committee alcohol-subcommittee hearing, supporters of House Bill 13 18 told lawmakers the bill would create a clear statewide framework to allow certain premium tobacconists to operate cigar lounges that may also serve alcohol under a restricted license.

Sponsor Delegate Alonzo Johnson said the measure would “give small businesses stability, flexibility, and protections” and allow Marylanders to patronize cigar lounges and spend dollars in-state instead of traveling out of state. Attorney Matt Foley, representing the Premium Cigar Retailers Association of Maryland (PCRAM), described a limited expansion: licensed lounges would be grandfathered if they already held local liquor authority, and new licenses would be constrained by population-based caps (roughly one license per 150,000 residents or one per county in small jurisdictions), a 60% tobacco sales / 40% alcohol sales ratio, air-filtration and employee-safety signage requirements, and limits on the tobacco products that may be consumed on-premises.

Owners of shops and lounges said a local liquor license has helped retain customers and drive food and beverage spending at nearby restaurants; they asked the General Assembly to allow similarly regulated operations statewide.

Opponents strongly resisted the proposal. The Maryland Department of Health, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Restaurant Association of Maryland all urged the committee to reject the bill. MDH Deputy Secretary Nilesh Kalyanaraman said the state has made large gains reducing youth smoking and that expanding venues where indoor smoking occurs would threaten those gains. Melvin Thompson of the Restaurant Association said the industry wants a level playing field and recalled the competitive disruption restaurants faced after the statewide indoor-smoking ban. Lance Kilpatrick of the Cancer Action Network noted research showing ventilation cannot fully remove secondhand tobacco smoke particles.

Public-health witnesses and legal experts on the panel urged the committee to await the report of a work group that the legislature convened in 2024 to study tobacco retail and smoking exemptions: that group has met repeatedly and expects to deliver recommendations to lawmakers. Opponents argued the work-group process should complete before any statutory carve-out is enacted.

Committee members asked about grandfathering, how the bill’s population caps would apply across counties, whether the statutory text might be amended to narrow the license to “premium cigar and pipe” shops, and whether proposed ventilation or hours limits could mitigate public-health risks. No committee vote was taken. The subcommittee requested proposed technical amendments and further legal review; members signaled they expect additional conversation before any committee report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECM Committee Session, 2/17/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","At an Economic Matters Committee hearing, proponents of House Bill 13 18 sought a statewide framework to allow licensed premium cigar shops to operate lounges that may also serve alcohol under a restricted license.","taxTitle","Economic Matters Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15059,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324910,"Bill to allow beer, wine sales in retail stores draws split testimony at Economic Matters hearing",7695,5465000,13160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335324-5d80774702de6ffd34cdc93636f4fd72&start=5465&end=13160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335324-5d80774702de6ffd34cdc93636f4fd72/thumbnail_5465000.jpg","/articles/6324910/Maryland/Bill-to-allow-beer-wine-sales-in-retail-stores-draws-split-testimony-at-Economic-Matters-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324910-fbfb3a6a0a608c7235019f7b7afd7536/orig.mp4?Expires=1775300314&Signature=h-DCo0k6f5a8X9yOOMsTaJeDxEc2OFKjbFxafnQhWhnUaV4hghcWZyWpP57DcQ9jeLJlj8flklkdYFnmfmOUJN1nIl5asTnyrr207skRrnn6Y1x7omYfAL6HNjaRdKNqVE1pdVDUOYQim35EAzCVo8yHevFp2XtejazopJSsTAnelaXGDuzidgDdW919iGuPaW3W6INAPUShIWfhRGL6g1HAJUgQn8v4~8owTFaa0fEuB3uGiVR1u5VlYh-jt9GiYOf-pU2kbI9rRwlY8wx1qvak~RjzVZlWFWHKbXbAjLHDK3-rIlzE7Nxbr2tPkO~3l-vc47rtA2zngF~QVraK9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An Annapolis hearing of the Economic Matters Committee’s alcohol subcommittee on House Bill 13 79 drew hours of testimony on whether Maryland should allow certain retail stores to obtain licenses to sell beer and wine.

Sponsor Delegate Marlon Ampre said the measure “modernizes our outdated licensing system” and would bring Maryland in line with most other states, arguing the change would increase convenience for families, help some small Maryland producers reach new retail channels and produce new tax revenue. “This bill will ultimately bring Maryland to the 21st century,” Ampre told the committee.

Business groups and grocery representatives urged approval. Kaylee Locklear of the Maryland Retailers Alliance said polls and commissioned studies show expanded retail access can increase jobs and revenue while having limited impact on the number of specialty package stores in other states. Michael Adams, also with the Retailers Alliance, said the bill is a “clean” starting point that the committee can tailor with amendments.

An independent study presented by University of Florida economist Nathan Pilardi found modest reductions in liquor-store foot traffic in states that expanded grocery sales of beer, but did not find widespread permanent closures of package stores; Pilardi said liquor-store counts remained roughly steady in his Colorado sample. He and other proponents said data and map evidence show Maryland already has local examples where grocery or convenience stores sell alcohol and co-exist with nearby package stores.

Opponents, including the American Heart Association and the Maryland State License Beverage Association, warned the bill risks harming small, family-owned package stores. Steve Wise, speaking for licensees, said chain retailers have pricing, real-estate and contract tools that can be used to undercut independents. Kathy Hogan for the American Heart Association argued broader retail availability would worsen public-health harms tied to more ubiquitous alcohol outlets.

Several proposed amendments were presented during testimony and in written materials: an extra point-of-sale surcharge (a 5% levy on beer and wine sold under the new retail license) to fund grocery access in underserved neighborhoods; statutory limits on the number of licenses that a local board may issue by geography to prevent oversaturation; and caps on the square footage devoted to alcohol in retail stores to limit full conversion of aisles into alcohol corridors. Ampre said those proposals were intended to make the measure more “balanced.”

Committee members questioned witnesses about the likely economic impacts, how existing leases and exclusivity clauses in shopping-center contracts would play out, and whether Maryland breweries and wineries would gain meaningful new out-of-state markets. Retail supporters said grocery and convenience chains already operate in Maryland and could help expand distribution for Maryland-made products; opponents said that same distribution power is how national brands crowd out small producers.

The subcommittee did not hold a final vote during the hearing. Members asked for additional economic and legal analysis and for proposed amendment language to be supplied to staff. The bill will return to subcommittee work and the ongoing statewide-Bill discussion before any committee report is filed.","An Annapolis hearing of the Economic Matters Committee’s alcohol subcommittee on House Bill 13 79 drew hours of testimony on whether Maryland should allow certain retail stores to obtain licenses to sell beer and wine.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6324898,"Subcommittee hears dozens of county delegation alcoholic-beverage bills; many carry local support",639,489000,1128000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2335324-5d80774702de6ffd34cdc93636f4fd72&start=489&end=1128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2335324-5d80774702de6ffd34cdc93636f4fd72/thumbnail_489000.jpg","/articles/6324898/Maryland/Subcommittee-hears-dozens-of-county-delegation-alcoholic-beverage-bills-many-carry-local-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324898-753c0896e381c5e345f4e44af8ace6eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775300314&Signature=SNopjQG2UetEDZgL-1lp3LPrJUUUKOcekoSKjjWtgJ7nAUrR1EWtmLKOajTClorSXjFeehRE3YDpSpw6ohJAmRa5BP~NIq~q0glmWfpm8lexlrJXSOTEI60qvQEokVG-DrFcjVn8r8c5k8RMcbQtl0MwCIdoV3Ec~0rjX3ioMw-fO7sXFIRQC3aW4nGi6duTWIdD1Hl7j3ejRaWQ0FCWagSReEQSzR5NrBNgpcVSlTunnSTKT~ZbeMxIRU~U-DXymcJDw6VBlXvYbijyFIuSpoKbPVZhrLiPifQzfXSyJ09IUvA2RMMLen78Wwczc7gX9dmlQapx-2rVAqYg0W35jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Economic Matters Committee’s alcohol subcommittee heard a large package of county delegation bills affecting local alcoholic-beverage licensing across Maryland counties, including bills from Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Washington, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Caroline, Charles and others.

Common changes presented to the subcommittee included: creating new specialty license classes (for theaters, tasting permits, event venues, rural special-event licenses and golf-simulator facility permits); allowing limited retail or delivery expansions (for barbershops/salons and restaurant-to-go sales); adjusting quota formulas (licenses per population); and technical or administrative fixes (clarifying transfer rules and reviving lapsed licenses).

Several delegations reported unanimous or strong votes in support: Delegate Seth Howard said HB 1259 (Anne Arundel distance-exception measure) passed the delegation unanimously; Delegate Jason Buckle said House Bill 1108 (Allegheny County clarification of minimum working age for liquor employees) had unanimous delegation backing; Delegate Mike Rogers said HB 515 (conversion to veterans organization licenses in Anne Arundel) passed the delegation 15–0; and HB 99 (county quota changes) carried a 15–0 delegation vote after amendment work. Delegation letters and vote sheets were provided for many but the committee noted several bills were still missing formal delegation letters and requested those documents be filed with staff.

Liquor-board officials and county licensing staff frequently testified on technical provisions. Anne Arundel County Liquor Board chair Wayne Harris and staff repeatedly said they supported several bills as amended but opposed language in others — for example, the board opposed a broad quota change that combined retail and tavern license classes because it would shrink opportunities for taverns.

Subcommittee members and staff asked each delegation to provide missing delegation letters, vote counts, and amendment text before any subcommittee recommendation. No committee-level final actions were taken at the hearing; each local bill remains pending in the subcommittee and will be scheduled for follow-up or a formal recommendation once paperwork and any technical fixes are filed by sponsors or local delegations.","The alcohol subcommittee heard a large package of county delegation bills that would change local licensing rules and create specialty license types in multiple Maryland counties.","actionData","errors"]

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Legal cigar lounges with on-site alcohol draw opposition from health groups and restaurants

Bill to allow beer, wine sales in retail stores draws split testimony at Economic Matters hearing

Subcommittee hears dozens of county delegation alcoholic-beverage bills; many carry local support