It consists of one gaming bill.
Frederick, Md (KM) In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the Frederick County Council gave final approval to the only bill in its 2025 Legislative Package. It’s a measure to allow volunteer fire companies to accept credit cards as payment for gaming activities such as bingo cards and tip jars which are part of their fundraising efforts.
It’s sponsored by Councilman Mason Carter, He said it passed the Legislative Delegation last year, but was held up in committee during the 2024 General Assembly. “Thank you Delegate Kris Fair. You was able to diagnose the issue for the bill which seems to be language in COMAR which may give attorneys for the state some concern,” he said.
COMAR is the Code of Maryland Regulations. The concern was the use of credit cards to pay for gaming activities, but Carter says he hopes he and Delegate Fair can work that out. “Delegate Fair and I will be submitting a formal request to the Attorney General to find our best path forward,:” he says.
Councilwoman MC Keegan-Ayer voted for the measure. “I have some concerns about this because I do know the Maryland Gaming Commission has concerns about it.. But I am going to support it just so you can try to work through the problems with Delegate Fair,”: she said.
Council President Brad Young also supported it. “I certainly would like to expand it to all charities as opposed to just to the fire companies. But that brings up other issues such as some of those non-profits have slot machines which are different,” he said.
Carter pointed out this is not a bill that was before the Council. “We are passing a policy position today. We’re not passing a bill. We are just affirming our support for credit card usage to be allowable for games of chance,” he said.
The Frederick County Legislative Delegation will hold a hearing on this and other proposals on Saturday, December 7th at 10:00 AM at Winchester Hall. The 2025 General Assembly gavels into session on January 8th.
By Kevin McManus