BERLIN — Despite some late changes and confusion between the language in bills introduced by Lower Shore lawmakers in both chambers, legislation allowing for private sector retail liquor outlets in Berlin and Snow Hill was passed by the General Assembly this week.
When the Worcester County Department of Liquor Control (DLC) last year closed its retail establishments in Berlin and West Ocean City in order to direct traffic to its new centrally-located facility on Route 50, it created a void in the town of Berlin. Local attorney Joe Moore then petitioned the town of Berlin to support a legislative change in Maryland Article 2B authorizing the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners to issue a Class D beer, wine and liquor license within the corporate limits of Berlin.
With the blessing of Berlin’s elected officials, Moore then took his efforts to the Worcester County Commissioners, who were at first reluctant to support the change that would essentially create competition with its own county-run store on Route 50. However, the commissioners ultimately agreed to support the legislative change for Berlin and ultimately expressed a desire to add language that would include the towns of Snow Hill and Pocomoke.
Senator Jim Mathias introduced Senate Bill 1079, which at first included just Berlin. He later amended the legislation to include Snow Hill and Pocomoke. Meanwhile, Delegate Mike McDermott introduced a pair of bills in the House, one of which included just Berlin and the other included Snow Hill and Pocomoke.
During a discussion of the legislation before a Senate committee in March, Mathias amended his bill to include Snow Hill and Pocomoke. However, after the committee approved the legislation, Mathias learned Pocomoke was no longer interested in being included in the legislation and the bill was amended again to remove Pocomoke.
Mathias’ amended bill was ultimately passed unanimously in the Senate and crossed over to the House, which also approved the legislation.
Mathias said this week the bill was essentially a local courtesy issue and its passage was never in doubt, but it got complicated at different times with the addition of Snow Hill and the addition and later removal of Pocomoke.
“That bill hit a few snags getting out of the harbor, but we got it through,” he said. “We needed the consensus of all parties involved, and once that consensus was met, the bill moved rather quickly.”