House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	May 12, 2020 09:58 AM
From:	Representative Garth D. Everett
To:	All House members
Subject:	Re-Open Restaurants (Two Part Package/Bill 1 and Bill 2)

Pennsylvania's network of restaurants, clubs and bars helps hold the fabric of our economy and society together. Many of these restaurants/bars are family owned and were fighting to stay in business before being closed down in our COVID-19 containment effort. Like you, I have heard from the restaurant/bars, VFWs, Legions and others in my area about the negative impact this is having on them, their employees and customers.

This is why I intend to introduce a two-bill package that would allow these establishments, in counties that are in the Yellow or Green Phase, to implement creative solutions on how to reopen and operate safely while properly mitigating the COVID-19 virus.

Bill One: My first bill will allow establishments with existing decks, patios, and courtyards to open those outdoor areas and would allow up to 50% of the outdoor maximum seating capacity in order to properly institute the CDC and State mitigation guidelines. For those establishments with parking lots but no existing outdoor seating space, my bill will allow those establishments to design limited seating in a designated part of the parking lot. These temporary seating areas would have to follow the same rules as decks, patios, and courtyards, and have a “roped” off single entry point.

Bill Two: My second bill would allow establishments to utilize 50% of their indoor seating capacity under the same rules as Bill One while also adhering to CDC and State guidance.

I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring these important pieces of legislation.

Document #1

Introduced as HB2506

Description:	Bill One: My first bill will allow establishments with existing decks, patios, and courtyards to open those outdoor areas and would allow up to 50% of the outdoor maximum seating capacity in order to properly institute the CDC and State mitigation guidelines. For those establishments with parking lots but no existing outdoor seating space, my bill will allow those establishments to design limited seating in a designated part of the parking lot. These temporary seating areas would have to follow the same rules as decks, patios, and courtyards, and have a “roped” off single entry point.

Document #2

Introduced as HB2513

Description:	Bill Two: My second bill would allow establishments to utilize 50% of their indoor seating capacity under the same rules as Bill One while also adhering to CDC and State guidance.