HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3395

bill relating to special music and dancing licenses for
licensed premises in Anne Arundel County. Although the bill
can be signed into law, provisions relating to special
dancing licenses for Class H licenses and special music
licenses cannot be given effect as they are not properly
reflected in the title.

As passed, the bill amends Art. 2B, Sec. 121(a), which
generally forbids the playing of music and entertainment on
licensed premises in Anne Arundel County. In amending
exceptions to this prohibition, the bill increases the
annual fee for special dancing licenses for Class B and D
licensees.1/ This provision is adequately reflected in the
title in the reference to "altering the annual fees for
certain entertainment licenses in Anne Arundel County."
However, there is no mention that Class H licensees may
obtain such licenses. Moreover, the bill also alters
provisions relating to special music licenses by revising
the description of music which may be played, increasing the
fee, and permitting Class H licensees to obtain these
licenses. Although the revision of the description of the
music which may be played may be regarded as "clarifying,"
the increase in the fee and the extension of eligibility
cannot be properly regarded as "clarifying." Accordingly,
the reference in the title to. "clarifying the language
pertaining to the issuance of special music licenses" does
not fairly advise the reader of the contents of the bill, as
required by Article III, Sec. 29 of the State Constitution.
However, provisions which are not properly reflected in the
title may be severed, and the increase in the fee for
special dancing licenses may be given effect.

Very truly yours,
Stephen H. Sachs
Attorney General

1/The bill also deletes references to beach or amusement
park licenses, which are now obsolete as the authority
for issuing these licenses was repealed by Ch. 131,
Laws of Maryland 1977.

House Bill No. 405
AN ACT concerning

Drug Paraphernalia