Senate Finance Committee Hears Bill to Reinstate Baltimore CIAA Promoters Permit Through 2029
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Summary
Sen. Antonio Hayes and representatives from VISIT Baltimore and the Baltimore City Liquor Board urged the Senate Finance Committee to favorably report Senate Bill 17, which would reinstate and extend a Baltimore City promoters permit tied to the CIAA, citing multimillion-dollar local impacts and improved public-safety coordination.
An emergency measure to reinstate and extend Baltimore's CIAA promoters permit was presented Thursday to the Senate Finance Committee, with the permit's sponsor and city officials asking lawmakers for a favorable report ahead of next month's conference.
Sen. Antonio Hayes, vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee and sponsor of Senate Bill 17, said the CIAA's presence in Baltimore has generated substantial local economic activity and urged lawmakers to restore the permit so proceeds can support scholarships and event administration. "It has generated about $109 million to the local economy," Hayes said, adding about $4.8 million in direct spending flowed to minority-owned businesses and roughly $9.9 million in taxes during prior years.
The bill would reinstate a promoter-associated permit first enacted in 2019 and extend it to align with the CIAA's current Baltimore contract. "The permit expired at the conclusion of last fiscal year," Hayes said, arguing the emergency measure would allow the Baltimore City Liquor Board and local licensees enough time to prepare before the next tournament.
Kareem Swinton, interim president and CEO of VISIT Baltimore, told the committee the permit helps protect the CIAA brand and supports safe, coordinated events. He cited more recent figures for 2025, saying the tournament generated $27.4 million in total economic impact, including "more than $15 million in direct spending into our local economy," and said the bill as written would remain effective through June 30, 2029.
Michelle Wurzberger, deputy executive secretary for the Baltimore City Liquor Board, also supported the measure, describing the permit as "a great mechanism to balance the licensee's ability to capitalize on the excitement and interest of the CIAA tournament while also making sure that the board is aware of different events that are out there," and adding the permit helps the board place staff on the ground and coordinate first responders when necessary.
The chair asked for questions; none were offered. The hearing concluded without a committee vote. Proponents asked for a favorable report to reinstate and extend the permit so it is in place for the upcoming CIAA event.
Next steps: The committee did not take a vote at the hearing; further committee action or scheduling for a vote was not announced during the session.