At this point many, most or all of us have seen the various stories about Lemonade stands run by kids being shut down or even fined in various jurisdictions in this country. I myself have been upset when I have seen these stories. But there is a bill in the Maryland General Assembly to make sure we no longer see that story in Maryland: HB 52-2020: Local Government – Lemonade Stands – Prohibition on Regulation by Local Law

The bill is very simple…it reads:

NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER LAW, A MUNICIPALITY, A COUNTY, OR ANY OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE MAY NOT ADOPT OR ENFORCE AN ORDINANCE, A RESOLUTION, A RULE, OR A REGULATION THAT PROHIBITS OR REGULATES, INCLUDING BY REQUIRING A LICENSE, PERMIT, OR FEE, THE OCCASIONAL SALE OF LEMONADE OR OTHER NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS FROM A STAND ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

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Are there more important issues before the Maryland General Assembly…yep…but should someone be the supporter of these type of bills…I think so…so that is me this year with this bill.

Kids…and yep we are talking about kids with this bill…should not be fined or shut down for selling lemonade, tea or other similar type products from their own property (or the property of their family).

I love that this bill is starting out with bipartisan support..the two Delegates named on this bill are Delegate Neil Parrott (R) and Delegate Delegate Steve Johnson (D).

So now I watch closely to see how the 9 Maryland State Delegates from Howard County and then the 3 Maryland State Senators from Howard County vote on this bill. This is now my version of bag tax from 2019…and I promise to let all of my followers know how our elected officials vote on this bill.

I can not image a world where people vote no on a bill like this…but if they do…I promise to let you know.

Scott E