Inauguration Day revelers in Anne Arundel may get a chance to party longer if the General Assembly acts speedily on a bill to allow bars and restaurants to stay open later.
The proposal would allow bars, restaurants and anyone licensed to serve alcohol in Anne Arundel or the City of Annapolis to stay open one hour past normal closing time Jan. 20, when President-elect Barack Obama takes his historic oath of office.
“The restaurant and hotel industry has taken a hit the last six months because of the economy,” said Del. James King, R-Anne Arundel, who owns a restaurant, after the Anne Arundel House delegation approved his emergency bill.
The idea is more about economics than partying, since those establishments who participate would have to pay a $200 fee to the county liquor board. King foresees the bill helping the economy by boosting sales tax revenue, feeding Anne Arundel’s coffers and aiding struggling businesses.
“We think it’s a good idea. It will be an opportunity for a lot of people to patronize local businesses,” said Melvin Thompson, senior vice president of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, a trade association that promotes and protects the food service industry.
A similar extension was granted for bars in the District, where Mayor Adrian Fenty pushed back last call to 4 a.m. despite concerns from Congress and local churches. Bars and restaurants there will have to pay a $250 fee.
King said the Anne Arundel police department, County Executive John R. Leopold, City of Annapolis and liquor board support the legislation.
The bill was made for other jurisdictions to easily adopt, and delegations from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties have been notified of the proposal, King said.
Some areas that may benefit from the massive crowd expected to pour into the District are interested in the bill.
“We don’t want to do anything that might hurt public safety … [but] it does give us reason to pursue the conversation,” said Prince George’s Delegation Chairwoman Del. Melony Griffith.
The Democrat said she has not heard any complaints from bars and restaurants in her county about closing times.
But others say it is impossible to pass the bill in three days. Though the bill is an emergency measure, rules would have to be suspended to bypass hearings and multiple readings before the assembly.
“There is no way any bill is going to pass in less than a week, even if it is an emergency bill,” said Del. Curt Anderson, the Democratic chairman of the Baltimore Delegation.
“We are not interesting in this kind of legislation.”
Despite owning a restaurant in downtown Annapolis, King said his business will not stay open later.
“I don’t think there is any reason to be more concerned about this proposal than an existing law allowing business to stay open later on New Year’s Eve,” Thompson said.
Staff Writer Len Lazarick contributed to this report.
