With no applications, show cause cases or violation hearings on their agenda, the Calvert County Liquor Board spent its Thursday, Oct. 24 meeting conducting a work session on its legislative requests for the 2014 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

The initiatives and other legislative requests will be discussed Tuesday, Oct. 29 by the Calvert County Commissioners. The commissioners will subsequently meet with the Calvert County Delegation to Annapolis to present the requests supported by the board’s majority.

The liquor board is requesting an amendment to state law that would give it authority to impose fines up to $5,000 for violations of state liquor laws and a $500 maximum fine for each violation of the local board’s Rules and Regulations.

Board Chair Beth Swoap said the heftier fine would be “less harmful to the community as opposed to a [license] suspension” although a suspension could still be an option or part of the board’s punitive action.

The higher levy is viewed as a deterrent to the sale and service of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age or serving individuals who are visibly intoxicated.

One measure that sparked lively discussion was a request to amend state law to lift the requirement in Calvert obligating liquor license applicants to obtain a petition signed by at least 10 property owners and registered voters within the precinct in which the business is to be conducted.

Swoap noted that several jurisdictions have been granted exemptions from the measure. She called the requirement “an unnecessary hoop for them [applicants] to jump through.” Swoap also mentioned that applicants usually don’t have a problem obtaining the necessary signatures.

Board member Malcolm Funn disagreed with the proposal to eliminate the requirement. “If people don’t have a problem with it, why eliminate it? There was a purpose for having it,” Funn said.

“I think it’s archaic,” said Swoap, who added the voter precinct verification creates additional work for the Board of Elections.

Due to its limited budget the liquor board is also re