Mar. 16, 2021
HARRISBURG – The House Liquor Control Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) to help bar and restaurant owners who have closed their doors.
“Running a hospitality business is extremely challenging at any time, but it has been particularly difficult over the last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dowling said. “From limiting capacity to eliminating bar seating and restricting sales of alcoholic beverages only to those who are also buying food, our bar and restaurant owners have taken a serious financial hit and some of them, unfortunately, won’t be reopening their doors. My bill would help them recover at least some of their losses.”
Watch Rep. Dowling’s comments about his legislation during the House Liquor Control Committee meeting here.
Specifically,
House Bill 425 would allow a liquor licensee whose business closes permanently to sell any remaining liquor or wine to another licensee who is qualified to sell such products. Current law only permits the licensee to sell leftover product to the entity that purchases his or her liquor license.
Under the bill, the closing licensee would be required to contact the PA Liquor Control Board (PLCB) in writing and provide the name of the purchasing licensee and identify the product sold, as well as the description of the liquor, including brand names, sizes and numbers of containers.
The measure is an expansion of
Act 21 of 2020, which allows a licensee to sell liquor to another licensee only during the COVID-19 crisis.
The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
Representative Matthew Dowling
51st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
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