Maryland’s 2018 legislative session ended April 9th. While it is true that this year’s session did not yield successful changes to Maryland’s craft beer laws, our collective efforts educated many policy makers and elected officials about the need to change the state’s antiquated regulation of our industry. Coming out of session, BAM has established a more credible voice in Annapolis. Now, constructive engagement by BAM and its members is more important than ever. Over the next nine months, BAM is going to continue its persistent pursuit of legislative change. We understand transformative change takes time and unwavering focus. In that regard, we are fully committed to working closely with policy makers in an informative and productive manner. Our goals in the period before the 2019 session are to:
- Communicate with those seeking election this year at all levels of government – from local to statewide office. We will educate and inform those entrusted with representing the interests of Maryland voters;
- Identify elected officials and candidates who will be our allies and advocates in the policy making arena;
- Prepare those allies with the resources and materials they need to be effective in advocating for change;
- Actively participate in the upcoming legislative Task Force to Study State Alcohol Regulation, Enforcement, Safety, and Public Health. This Task Force, and the recommendations that stem from its findings, will have a direct impact on Maryland’s craft beer industry and the three-tiered alcohol industry as a whole; and
- Stay focused on positive activities that promote the change contained in BAM’s legislative package in 2018.
There is a lot of work to do in the next nine months. Our goal is to learn from that work, synthesize it and develop a recommended legislative strategy for 2019. This will be presented to the full membership sometime this fall. Thank you for being a part of the effort to move our industry forward in the State we all love.
We’ll provide members with action items and further details in the coming week.
Cheers,
Board of Directors
Brewers Association of Maryland
