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SB 664 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Business Regulation - Enforcement for Miscellaneous State Business Licenses - Study

SB 664 strengthens enforcement for Maryland’s business licenses by requiring each license application to designate a Maryland resident as a "license representative" responsible for penalties. The Comptroller gains authority to issue citations for violations, and penalties apply to business owners, designated representatives, corporate officers, and managers of LLCs or partnerships. Violations are classified as misdemeanors punishable by up to $300 fines or 30 days in jail. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland law and takes effect October 1, 2025.
Tags: Licensing
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 29, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Business Regulation - Miscellaneous State Business Licenses - Enforcement and Penalties → Third - Business Regulation - Enforcement for Miscellaneous State Business Licenses - Study · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill changes the focus from enforcing penalties to studying enforcement processes for miscellaneous state business licenses. It requires the Comptroller to consult with specific stakeholders and submit a report by December 1, 2025, including recommendations on civil citations, identifying responsible parties, and handling out-of-state business owners. The bill also clarifies who can be held liable for violations, particularly for business entities like corporations and LLCs.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from direct enforcement and penalty imposition to a study and recommendation process regarding enforcement mechanisms for miscellaneous state business licenses.
REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for Comptroller to consult with six specific stakeholders including the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Retailers Alliance, and Restaurant Association.

Added five specific recommendation areas for the study including civil citations, identifying responsible parties, and out-of-state business owner enforcement.

TIMELINE

Added December 1, 2025 deadline for submitting a study report to the General Assembly.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified enforcement approach from direct penalties to requiring a study of enforcement processes before implementing changes.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified liability provisions for different business entity types including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 28, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 16, 2025

How they voted

41–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 46
Feb 28, 2025
D Democratic33
28 Yea 5
84% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 20, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 632
executive
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Introduced
Floor Amendment {
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Economic Matters
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Economic Matters
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 16, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (97-37-6)
house of delegates
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (41-0-5)
senate
Jan 29, 2025
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.