Couples who get married in Baltimore County?s Circuit Court may be unknowingly making a contribution to charity.
A recently adopted law funnels $15 of the county?s $25 marriage ceremony fee to the Baltimore County Historical Trust, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving historic property within the county.
Previously, just $5 was allocated to the trust and $10 apiece went to the county and state general revenue funds.
Cutting the state out of the equation, the new law doubles the trust?s budget and slashed about $18,700 from state revenues, said Del. Wade Kach, R-Baltimore County, who sponsored the bill.
The money will enable the group to issue additional grants to protect and restore county landmarks, trust officials said.
“We haven?t been able to do any grants the last year and a half and this money will be primarily dedicated for that,” said executive director Patricia Bentz.
“It?s not great, grand sums that we give, but it?s helpful.”
Every county charges $25 per wedding ceremony, except Cecil, which charges $30. Allocation of marriage ceremony fees is typically determined by each jurisdiction; for example, part of the fee in Howard County goes to combat domestic violence. In Harford County, a percentage supports the county law library.
Lawmakers from other counties said the amount withdrawn from state funding was insignificant enough to earn their support.
“We?re dealing with millions and millions of dollars, so if the local delegation wants that, I think we can support it,” said Del. Gail Bates, R-Howard County.
