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Frederick County delegation backs local bill letting craft makers sell Maryland-made products
Summary
Delegation approved amendments to a local bill allowing breweries, distilleries and wineries in Frederick County to offer Maryland-manufactured products at tastings and by the glass and agreed to send a letter of support as the measure moves to committee.
Frederick County lawmakers on the delegation voted to support a local Senate bill, described in the meeting as "SB 7 18," that would allow Frederick County breweries, distilleries and wineries to obtain permits to offer other Maryland-manufactured products at tastings and by the glass. Chair Pippi told members the bill had been tabled at the prior meeting and that the current session would consider several technical amendments and the delegation's endorsement.
The delegation first adopted an amendment clarifying that the provision applies only to products manufactured in Maryland. Chair Pippi summarized the change as narrowing the bill to in‑state manufacturing; an audible voice vote resulted in adoption. A second technical amendment expanded the covered businesses to explicitly include wineries in addition to breweries and distilleries; that amendment also passed by voice vote.
After members approved a third change to make the measure a Frederick County senators' or "delegation" bill, the group moved to issue a letter of support. Delegate Miller thanked colleagues for addressing her concerns and noted the measure limits sales to tastings and by-the-glass offerings: "I just wanted to thank everyone for working on this and addressing the concerns that we had," she said. Senator Louis Young also praised the revisions and framed the bill as benefiting local craft manufacturers. Delegate Boucher described the proposal as positive for small-businesses and farmers, acknowledging personal concerns about alcohol access while praising the measured serving-size language.
One member requested to be recorded as abstaining. "Mister chairman, I'd like to be recorded as abstaining for the reason that you just cited that it will go through my committee... there may be some additional negotiation," Delegate Kerr said; the chair recorded that abstention and the motion otherwise passed by voice vote.
The chair said a letter of support will be issued and the bill will proceed to the committee chaired by Delegate Kerr (vice chair of the committee was referenced). No formal vote count beyond the recorded abstention was taken on the record in the delegation meeting.
