Delegation agrees to pursue bill on credit-card use for gaming by volunteer fire departments after AG opinion

The Frederick County Delegation voted to forward a bill that would permit volunteer fire departments to accept credit-card payments for gaming-related activities, after receiving a written opinion from the Maryland Attorney General’s office clarifying legal authority.

Delegate Fair summarized work over the interim and said his staffer Camilla prepared a draft opinion that the Attorney General’s office then verified. "They did," he said, "and so in your packet, you have essentially the opinion from the attorney general that does show that if it is the will of the delegation, that the General Assembly can technically pass a bill that would allow credit cards in this, in this capacity, if it is the will of the delegation and the will of the general assembly to do so." Several members thanked staff for the research.

Members discussed confusion about retail lottery machines that accept payment cards; a delegate noted some machines accept debit cards and the legal distinction between debit and credit was mentioned. After discussion, a motion to make the credit-card gaming proposal a delegation bill was offered, seconded and approved.

Delegation staff will prepare the bill and return with final draft language; members noted the subject has been debated in prior sessions and required clarity from the Attorney General’s office before the delegation would act.