The state House of Representatives recently approved legislation that would assist bar and restaurant owners who have permanently closed their operations.
House Bill 425 expands Act 21 of 2020, which allowed a licensee to sell liquor to another licensee, but only during the COVID-19 crisis.
The legislation would allow any liquor licensee whose business closed permanently to sell liquor or wine to another licensee qualified to sell the products. Current law only allows a licensee to sell leftover alcohol to whoever purchased the licensee’s license.
House Bill 425 would require the closing licensee to contact the PA Liquor Control Board in writing and provide the name of the purchasing licensee and a description of the liquor sold that includes the sizes and numbers of containers as well as brand names.
“While COVID-19 restrictions on our bars and restaurants are finally being lifted by the governor, the last year took a heavy toll on all of the owners of these establishments, and some have been forced to close their doors for good,” Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset), who sponsored the bill, said. “While this bill can’t bring their businesses back, it would help the owners recover at least some of their losses.”
The bill moves to the Senate for consideration.