MML Priority Bill Hearing January 29 - Action Alert

MML’s priority legislation giving local jurisdictions the authority to levy a food and beverage feeSB 324, has a hearing next week, January 29.

This bill would authorize municipalities and counties to charge up to 3% on on-site food and beverage purchases. 

Maryland’s 157 cities, towns and villages are forced to rely on property tax revenues to supplement existing programs and new challenges, such as the ever-growing effects of climate change and combatting cybersecurity threats. For example, data shows many local jurisdictions must utilize general revenue funds to support highway funding shortages.

Given the existing housing supply ecosystem and increased dependency on housing valuations for local governments, it is a difficult conversation to balance when fiscal impacts land solely on local residents. The current revenue structure was not designed to handle the modern responsibilities and complexities of local government, with the last major revisions coming in 1967.

Authorizing an enabling local fee under the Admissions and Amusement statute would allow municipal governments to hold local public hearings and assess the viability for each unique jurisdiction. The proposed 3% local food and beverage fee is significantly less regressive than continuing to increase property tax rates and is in line with neighboring states like Virginia, with up to 7.5% authority, and the District of Columbia, which sits at 4%. This would limit the revenue burden being placed on Marylanders, as out of state visitors would also then contribute to supporting the cost of services used under this model.

Please consider sharing your support and stories with the Ways & Means Committee via written testimony and send it to Justin Fiore, Deputy Director by COB Friday, January 24. MML will include all testimony in a package for the committee. We can share a testimony template which includes potential talking points.

If you have any questions or would like us to review your testimony, please reach out directly to Justin at [email protected]. If you would like to testify in person, please let us know as soon as possible.

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