§ 13-705
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§13–705.
(a)For purposes of this section, a game of instant bingo conducted under a Class NG beach license is considered to be bingo.
(b)Before a person may conduct bingo in the county, the person shall obtain a license from the county commissioners.
(c)Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a person who complies with this section may conduct bingo in the county.
(i)The county commissioners may not issue a license unless the application was filed at least 30 days before the date of issuance.
(ii)An applicant for a license shall:
1. file an application on a form that the county commissioners provide; and
2. sign the application under oath.
(iii)The application shall include:
1. the name of the applicant;
2. the address of the applicant;
3. any trade name of the applicant;
4. if the applicant is a partnership, the name and address of each partner;
5. if the applicant is a corporation, the name and address of each officer of the corporation;
6. if a resident agent is required under paragraph
(3)of this subsection, the name and address of the applicant’s resident agent;
7. the name and address of any person having a financial interest in the operation of the proposed bingo; and
8. the signatures of all of the individuals listed in items 1 through 7 of this subparagraph indicating consent to individual liability for any unlawful operation of licensed bingo.
(iv)1. The county commissioners may refuse to issue a license based on the facts disclosed on an application.
2. Subparagraph
(i)of this paragraph does not require the county commissioners to investigate an applicant’s statements on the application before issuing a license.
(2)Each applicant for a license shall present evidence to the county commissioners that the applicant has obtained a public liability insurance policy that:
(i)covers the period covered by the proposed license;
(ii)provides coverage for personal injury to:
1. any bingo patron in an amount not less than $100,000; and
2. more than one bingo patron in an amount not less than $500,000.
(i)Each nonresident applicant for a license shall designate a resident agent.
(ii)A resident agent must be:
1. a voter in the county;
2. a taxpayer of the county; and
3. an owner of property in the county assessed at not less than $25,000.
(1)The county commissioners may issue the following licenses:
(i)a Class NA license, for bingo that does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 750 individuals;
(ii)a Class NB license, for bingo that does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 500 individuals;
(iii)a Class NC license, for bingo that does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 1,000 individuals;
(iv)a Class ND beach license, for bingo that:
1. does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 500 individuals;
2. may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and
3. may be operated between May 1 and September 30;
(v)a Class NE beach license, for bingo that:
1. does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 1,000 individuals;
2. may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and
3. may be operated between May 1 and September 30;
(vi)a Class NF beach license, for bingo that:
1. does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 500 individuals;
2. may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and
3. may be operated throughout the year; or
(vii)a Class NG beach license, for bingo that:
1. does not have a limitation on seating or player capacity;
2. may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and
3. may be operated throughout the year.
(2)The county commissioners shall:
(i)retain a copy of each license issued;
(ii)issue a copy of the license to the license holder; and
(iii)forward a copy of the license to the State Comptroller.
(3)A license is not transferable.
(f)The county commissioners shall assess the following annual license fees:
(1)$3,500 for a Class NA license;
(2)$3,000 for a Class NB license;
(3)$4,000 for a Class NC license;
(4)$500 for a Class ND beach license;
(5)$1,000 for a Class NE beach license;
(6)$3,000 for a Class NF beach license; and
(7)$5,000 for a Class NG beach license.
(1)The county commissioners may not issue a license if the conduct of bingo would:
(i)unduly disturb the peace of the neighborhood in which the applicant proposes to conduct bingo;
(ii)create a nuisance; or
(iii)be detrimental to the health or welfare of the community.
(i)The county commissioners may not issue a license to conduct bingo in a building that is not permanent and covered by a roof.
(ii)This paragraph does not apply to a person who is not required to obtain a license to conduct bingo.
(i)The following licenses may not allow the conduct of bingo on Sunday:
1. a Class NA license;
2. a Class NB license; or
3. a Class NC license.
(ii)The following licenses may not allow the conduct of bingo before 1 p.m. on Sunday:
1. a Class ND beach license;
2. a Class NE beach license; or
3. a Class NF beach license.
(iii)A Class NG beach license may not allow the conduct of bingo between 2 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday.