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03/28/2024 06:34 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20210&cosponId=35564
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House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: May 3, 2021 03:13 PM
From: Representative Jessica Benham and Rep. Dianne Herrin
To: All House members
Subject: Reducing Liquor License Saturation
 
Here in Pennsylvania, our Liquor Code imposes a limit on the number of licenses that may be granted allowing the retail sale of liquor, wine, and malt and brewed beverages. However, most Pennsylvania counties have more retail liquor licenses than the quota allows because many licenses date back to before the quota was established and are constantly renewed by the PA Liquor Control Board. This has caused concerns in several communities that have seen impacts on their quality of life as a direct result of the overabundance of liquor licensees near their homes.
 
To address this growing concern, I will be introducing legislation that would allow municipal authorities to establish maximum liquor license saturation ratios for licensed establishments. This will give communities greater power and control over how many liquor licensees may be present in their neighborhoods in the future, though it cannot apply retroactively.
 
I have heard concerns from a number of constituents in my district about the impact that having too many liquor establishments in one place has had on their lives. With businesses reopening and relaxing restrictions as more and more people receive their COVID-19 vaccinations, my constituents have expressed concerns about overcrowding and festivities that will occur in the coming months. Please join me in protecting our neighbors and providing our communities with greater authority to safeguard their residents from an oversaturation of establishments serving alcohol.



Introduced as HB1474