Lowering Business License Fees: Public Hearing Set For Sept. 22

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Montgomery County Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a bill aimed at saving retail businesses hundreds of dollars in annual license fees amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The 1:30 p.m. hearing will be live streamed on the council's Facebook and YouTube pages, and broadcasted live by County Cable Montgomery (Xfinity channels 6 and 996, RCN channels 6 and 1056, and FiOS channel 30).

Residents who would like to call in to testify need to preregister on the council's web page at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/calendar.html. Once the public hearing sign up request form is submitted and the public hearing list is created, residents will receive further instructions on how to dial in and testify.

Individuals also can provide audio, video, and written testimony to the council by visiting https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/PHSignUp.html.

ABOUT THE BILL

Sponsored by Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Evan Glass, Bill 40-20 would establish a uniform $15 trader's license fee for retailers and restaurants. Currently, annual license fees vary between $15 and $800, depending on the value of a business' retail inventory.

"This bill will provide modest but important financial relief to hundreds of local retailers and restaurant owners at a critical time as they continue to fight to keep the lights on," Friedson said. "I'm proud to join Councilmember Glass on this effort that will save scores of local businesses hundreds of dollars a year."

Under this bill, the state would keep all revenues from the fee.

The bill can be viewed here.