CB-17 use and occupancy fees

Liquor store owner strongly opposed the bill, saying stores already pay ~$4,000 liquor license fees and operate on thin margins.

President of BK Miller Meats and Liquors in Clinton (113-year-old family business) opposed the fee, citing $74,000 in property taxes, $100,000/year on security, and $200,000 in charitable donations over five years.

A 30-year county business owner opposed the bill, citing five overlapping regulatory agencies and community giving during COVID.

Small business owner said the targeted fee is unfair and inequitable to entrepreneurs already operating on thin margins.

Chairman of the African American Spirit and Retail Association worried the fee could raise shelf prices and hurt a new initiative giving 55+ Black-owned brands access to 100 county liquor stores.

Owner of Louis Dale Market and UMD grad asked opponents in the room to stand in a show of opposition.

Lobbyist for the Maryland Self-Storage Association called the bill's findings clause an 'outrageous indictment' with no empirical data and urged an unfavorable report.

An attorney whose family owns Freddy's Liquor on Marlboro Pike said he grew up in the community and believes there's room for negotiation short of the fee.