[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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",[32,75],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6657824,"mediaKeyId","5065641-93e03fadb61a8a988e13dfa7c7b4c782","parentId",5065641,"title","Howard County adopts Class MT movie-theater liquor license, sets $1,500 annual fee","audioSeconds",888,"startMs",284000,"endMs",1172000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065641-93e03fadb61a8a988e13dfa7c7b4c782&start=284&end=1172","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065641-93e03fadb61a8a988e13dfa7c7b4c782/thumbnail_284000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657824/Howard-County/Maryland/Howard-County-adopts-Class-MT-movie-theater-liquor-license-sets-1500-annual-fee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657824-dddec9f698820031f3ee58d3303f5104/orig.mp4?Expires=1770404326&Signature=f5rtd37SxcpczE473aOvlXJ-ke6w7NF1t~WfzU35l2iVakZ71hCaSztQDT3kwIbcYUYx2x~~9TJVMkRJUV6L7~joYjtpj6KtVtPYU0wTRy-z7OXa1-p~6EGYzqd9Sa10s2fQHCaBBzBtf~FMc9vV24~4Oqo4ymx9BVCrkU2mlEiW3j38l1-yllA~uPnjX~LC0xSLju247xaTp4Ta8JNw5z1rmWi0cCJNERVqJGms2UWGjCw8Y7XgiEMHuLvcfiyLIpXMRj2nXWHpakJuf7vfkn06ZJ16WIZ1Vf5mKgwSy7WRpt22d0JiUHbtYn9NprtqlH2xDpxIPW-IYAkzVaPguQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Howard","date","2025-06-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Board voted to add a Class MT movie-theater liquor license and adopt rules and a proposed annual fee of $1,500, aligning county regulations with state legislation the board cited as SB 10 19 20 25.

Board members said the state delegation created the new license and delegated rulemaking and fee-setting authority to the county. A staff member summarized local context, saying the sponsors were “Senator Gazzoni and Delegate Fellmark” and that theaters have struggled to bring audiences back after the pandemic.

The board approved the addition of the license and the proposed rules and fee by motion. Recorded votes show Chair Youngman, Miss Young and Miss Rigby voting yes and Miss Walsh voting no; the motion passed.

Why it matters: The new Class MT license permits in-theater alcohol service under local regulation and sets operational safeguards the board says are intended to protect minors and manage public-safety concerns.

Key provisions and safeguards
The rules the board circulated and discussed include:
- A two-serving maximum per patron while in the theater.
- Sales must occur from a designated, separate counter staffed by certified alcohol servers.
- Alcohol must be served in single-serve containers that differ from standard soda containers so staff can distinguish alcoholic beverages.
- Theater operators must offer “real food” (not only candy) available while alcohol service is offered; food service must remain available through the hours when alcohol is served.
- Licensing criteria include usual statutory requirements: crowd-control certificates, proof that concession and alcohol areas are distinct, and a determination that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a license.

Board members discussed practical concerns and enforcement. One member said, “I could just picture like beer spilled on the glass above the milk duds,” arguing for separate counters and staffing rules. Another board member noted that the license would likely apply to the county's two existing theaters (including an AMC and Snowden Square) and that neighboring counties already have similar licenses.

Fee setting and process
Staff said surrounding counties charge annual fees ranging from $500 to $2,000; the board proposed $1,500 to align with that range. The staff member explained the county's process for license approval would include a public hearing when an applicant seeks the permit. The transcript recorded that “Mr. Hurwitz” provided testimony to the board as part of the public notice process.

The vote and next steps
A board motion to adopt the Class MT license, the circulated rules and a $1,500 annual fee passed with three yes votes and one no. Staff will include the adopted rules in the county's licensing documents and will process future movie-theater license applications under the new classification.

Board members said the rules can be amended later if complaints or operational issues arise.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Howard - Board of License Commissioners - Jun 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Board approved rules and a $1,500 annual fee for a new Class MT movie-theater liquor license created by state legislation referenced in the meeting as SB 10 19 20 25. The board included safeguards such as a two-drink limit, dedicated service counters and single-serve containers.","taxTitle","Howard County, Maryland","taxId",13634,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657828,"Howard County board extends delivery option to Class D taverns to align with HB 13 87 - 20 25",280,4000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065641-93e03fadb61a8a988e13dfa7c7b4c782&start=4&end=284","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065641-93e03fadb61a8a988e13dfa7c7b4c782/thumbnail_4000.jpg","/articles/6657828/Howard-County/Maryland/Howard-County-board-extends-delivery-option-to-Class-D-taverns-to-align-with-HB-13-87-20-25","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657828-2f42871323660b5cb1bed995e46fbcf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770404326&Signature=J5RFmqDNfRF0V-Cp6mie8PLJwRkhcwDEURubd2RKzK7dZ6F~oYotMpXAhvY3D218q8oOvNPiqbsq0vPm4P0vwwSryRo4EXNBCuIjnZDKhCFWlE~y33AFCu2potMcoBBnYrKcgBMSoKHLiBMWtzEpJf6mrgmEAJOzGduPhN0ISyzqwG2m~KFv9gNzei3XKn2Wyw8~SNnyB-4RDkWi7YioHQ56MKa2LrKlUvcWoX9Z6ru4-JZiwDYJ1bT-Suk4iv9a9mh3TeYcw1eLKOQKVIB~0zT67txU91pVLVQyQAsS3E2VKz4JqgHwe1648Gwu9xxZTcMVc~5rmAq181huu2xDAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Board voted to revise county rules to extend an off-sale delivery option to Class D taverns in line with HB 13 87 - 20 25, during a board meeting.

Board members said the change mirrors recent state action and would allow taverns that hold Class D licenses to deliver sealed, packaged alcoholic products similar to retail off-sale packaging. A staff member told the board, “I don't think anything would technically happen until someone actually submits a complaint or files a lawsuit stating Howard County is not complying with the state rules or state law.”

The revision was approved by motion (mover and seconder not specified in the transcript) and the board recorded affirmative votes from Chair Youngman, Miss Young, Miss Rigby and Miss Walsh; the motion passed.

Why it matters: Extending delivery to Class D licensees alters where patrons may obtain sealed alcoholic products and raises practical enforcement questions for county regulators. Board members compared the change to emergency COVID-era allowances for restaurants and noted differences between prepared mixed drinks and sealed off-sale packaging.

Board discussion and safeguards
Board members and staff repeatedly emphasized that the delivery option discussed applies to sealed products and off-sale packaging rather than prepared, single-serve mixed drinks. One board member said, “It's already sealed products. It's not like they're ordering a martini,” and another noted that many Class D licensees already maintain separate off-sale packaging areas.

Members also raised enforcement concerns. A staff member said that absent a formal challenge or complaint, county enforcement would likely not act, explaining that “unless there was some kind of a challenge, I don't see what the enforcement factor would be.” Other board members recalled COVID-era delivery allowances, saying those had aimed to help restaurants survive but were different in scope from the proposed rule for taverns.

The vote and next steps
The board moved and approved the rule revision to extend delivery to Class D licensees to align with the state bill referenced in the meeting as HB 13 87 - 20 25. The motion passed, and staff will publish the revised rule language as part of the board's records.

No new fee or additional enforcement mechanism was adopted during the meeting; board members noted that actual enforcement would depend on complaints or subsequent challenges under state law.","The Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Board voted to revise county rules to allow Class D taverns to offer sealed off-sale delivery in line with state legislation referenced in the meeting as HB 13 87 - 20 25. Board members discussed enforcement limits, packaging and how the change compares to COVID-era allowances.","actionData","errors"]

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Howard County adopts Class MT movie-theater liquor license, sets $1,500 annual fee

Howard County board extends delivery option to Class D taverns to align with HB 13 87 - 20 25