The following is a statement from Chuck Moran, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, concerning today’s votes in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on HB 425 and HB 427. 

  

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association applauds the State House of Representatives for passing HB 425 and HB 427 this afternoon, both by votes of 201-0.

HB 427, sponsored by now-retired Rep. Jeff Pyle, was highly endorsed by Pennsylvania Taverns, and would increase the discount licensed establishments receive from state stores when purchasing liquor products. Currently, taverns and licensed restaurants receive a 10 percent discount. This bill would increase the discount to 15 percent for three years, and has been a priority of our Association as part of the industry’s recovery phase.

HB 425, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Dowling, was also supported by the PLBTA and allows a licensee that is either closed for a long period of time or closes permanently to sell their liquor or wine to another licensee, helping those who did not survive the crisis.

It has been widely recognized that the tavern and restaurant industry has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, and has been in survival mode since March 2020. Now, with the continued success of the vaccine rollout, and mitigation orders being safely eased, there does appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

But, it’s a long tunnel and we’re not at the end of it yet. However, we have started to move into the recovery phase, which is why HB 427 is an important piece of legislative puzzle for those that have survived and are looking to rebuild their businesses.

Both bills now head to the State Senate. The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association encourages our Senate leaders to move both bills in a timely manner to help aid the industry’s recovery. 

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About the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association 

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association is a statewide association based in Harrisburg, representing small business taverns and licensed restaurants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Association formed in 1941, reorganized in 2019, and today advocates for best practices and rights within the industry as well as best experiences for patrons.