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FEBRUARY 16, 2018
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
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OC SEASIDE BOAT SHOW Thirty-fifth annual event to include 300 boats, 50 dealers and 150 vendors this weekend – Page 51
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New legislation would regulate online rentals State seeking to set terms, give locals wide latitude
BRIAN GILLILAND/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
ONLY A DRILL Police K-9 Goro handled by Ocean City Police Pfc. Nick Forsyth apprehends Pfc. Sean McHugh while Pfc. Kevin Flower looks on during routine training held on the Ocean City beach near 83rd Street, Wednesday morning. Goro tracked McHugh from the end of 82nd Street to his hiding spot in an alley about a block away during the exercise.
Paid sick leave law now in effect Efforts to delay new rule cleared Senate, but failed to make it to House vote
By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Feb. 16, 2018) Maryland employers must offer paid sick leave as of Feb. 11, when legislation vetoed last year by Gov. Larry Hogan, but overridden in the General Assembly this year, went into effect as efforts to amend the law looked doubtful. Delegate Mary Beth Carozza (R-38C) said although efforts to push back the bills effective date until July failed, the legislature will continue working towards providing clarity for employers and employees. “The House leadership failed to take action prior to Feb 11,” she said. “The bill is so flawed … basic questions cannot be
answered.” On Jan. 11, the House voted 88-52 to override Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto from last May of the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, with the Senate following suit the next day by a 30-17 vote. In late January, State Sen. Thomas Middleton (D-28) introduced SB 304 in an attempt to delay the measure’s implementation and give small business operators sufficient time to become familiar with the law’s requirements. Last Thursday, Middleton’s bill passed the Senate by a 29-17 vote, including support from Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38), and the next day headed to the House. However, the House didn’t schedule a hearing on the amendment until this Tuesday, two days after the bill went into effect. Carozza said Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly Schulz testified before the
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House on Tuesday. “Secretary Schulz and the business coalition gave strong, forceful testimony in support of delaying the effective date and enforcement of the new paid leave law,” she said. According to Carozza, both employers and employees have bombarded Schulz with emails. “As of this morning she has received well over 800 very specific questions,” Carozza said. From talking to House leadership, Carozza said the sentiment is against making changes to the paid sick leave law during the current session, but the topic would likely be revisited in the future. “This affects our job creators, and therefore employees and their jobs,” she said. “Down the road we need to break the bill down and fix the most egregious parts.”
BUYS
By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Feb. 16, 2018) Establishing state requirements for short-term rentals advertised through online hosting platforms is the intent of a House bill introduced by Del. C. William Frick (D-16) last Friday. Tourism and Marketing Director Donna Abbott, who shared preliminary details of the pending legislation during the Tourism Commission meeting on Monday, is receiving regular updates on HB1604 ‘A Senate Bill from Maryland Hotel & Lodgis coming, ing Association either today or CEO Amy tomorrow, Rohrer. sponsored by “A Senate Bill is coming, Sen. Astle.’ either today or Tourism Director tomorrow, Donna Abbott sponsored by Sen. Astle,” she said. In fact, Sen. John Astle (D-30) introduced SB 1081 for first reading on Monday, and HB 1604 is scheduled for a hearing on March 9. The legislation defines limited residential lodging as use of a residential dwelling to provide accommodations for transient guests for a fee. The bill would require property owners, referred to as innkeepers, who rent rooms, or entire homes, to be licensed by the Maryland Comptroller. They also would have to remit applicable state and county taxes and abide by all local jurisdiction regulations. Innkeepers would be required to maintain records for four years, to include names, property location, fees collected, as well as state and local sales tax remitted. See NEW BILLS Page 4
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