Purpose: The bill aims to repeal the requirement for the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission and the Comptroller of Maryland to enter into a memorandum of understanding for cooperative activities in inspections and other enforcement activities.

Key Changes:

Repeals the requirement for the Commission and the Comptroller to enter into a memorandum of understanding for cooperative activities in inspections and other enforcement activities.

Allows the Commission to enter into memoranda of understanding and other cooperative arrangements with federal, state, and local governmental units to reduce duplication of efforts and overall costs of administration of inspection and enforcement programs.

Authorizes the Executive Director to enter into memoranda of understanding and other cooperative arrangements with federal, state, and local governmental units to address operational matters and efficiencies

• Tobacco Product Manufacturers - Escrow Act:

  • Modify the requirements for certain tobacco product manufacturers regarding payments and escrow accounts.

Key Provisions:

• Equity Fee Payment:

  • Starting in 2026, requires tobacco product manufacturers to pay an equity fee instead of depositing funds in an escrow account.

  • Allows manufacturers to contest the amount of the equity fee under specific conditions.

• Certification Requirement:

  • Manufacturers must make a certification to the Attorney General each year.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Purpose: The bill aims to require the governing body of a common ownership community to develop a smoking policy if the property is a multifamily dwelling.

Key Changes:

Defines key terms such as "common ownership community," "condominium," "cooperative housing corporation," "multifamily dwelling," "residential owner," and "smoke" or "smoking."

Applies to multifamily dwellings with four or more dwelling units that are used for the benefit of a residential owner or rented by the residential owner to a tenant.

Requires the governing body to develop a smoking policy that is at least as stringent as applicable state and local laws.

Specifies that the policy must state the locations where smoking is authorized and prohibited, any conditions on smoking, the process to file a complaint, and any penalties or fines for violations.

Clarifies that the bill does not limit the rights of a governing body, tenant, or residential owner to initiate or defend against a civil action, nor does it preempt local governments from enacting more stringent smoking policies.

Purpose: The bill aims to repeal the requirement for the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission and the Comptroller of Maryland to enter into a memorandum of understanding for cooperative activities in inspections and other enforcement activities.

Key Changes:

Repeals the requirement for the Commission and the Comptroller to enter into a memorandum of understanding for cooperative activities in inspections and other enforcement activities.

Allows the Commission to enter into memoranda of understanding and other cooperative arrangements with federal, state, and local governmental units to reduce duplication of efforts and overall costs of administration of inspection and enforcement programs.