Businesses that violate liquor laws will face steeper penalties, and the local tourism bureau will be on track for a funding boost under new state laws set to take effect today.

Both laws were the product of contentious local debate during the General Assembly session, with particularly strong disagreements over whether to increase the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau's share of the hotel tax.

Still, the new funding agreement will not begin until fiscal 2012, a delay sought by county officials who had tried to kill the legislation and avoid having to give up scarce dollars during a historic...