State House Democrats have written a nine-bill package that would provide financial relief to restaurants, bars and clubs and their employees negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The package includes federal CARES grant funding directed to small, community restaurants and to breweries, distilleries and wineries forced to reduce capacity to protect patrons.
The state would remove limitations concerning public thoroughfares, fees and delays, so restaurants can expand outdoor dining and eliminate the $500 off-premise catering permit fee to allow more restaurants to deliver to safe outdoor locations.
The state would waive the liquor license renewal fee for any bar, restaurant or club that suffered more than a 25 percent downturn in business due to the virus; increase the discount for restaurants and bars holding liquor licenses when they purchase wholesale alcohol from 10 percent to 15 percent; and eliminate sales tax late payment penalties on restaurants and bars purchasing alcohol from wholesalers.
The state would allow license holders with licenses in safekeeping relief from paying the license renewal or validation fee for a period of one year.
Business insurance policies would be required to pay damages and benefits when a disaster emergency is declared, removing “Act of God” loopholes.