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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 12, 2015 10:20 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mike Turzai |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Proposed Legislation - Liquor Privatization |
| History was made this year when HB 466 was sent to the Governor’s desk in June, only to be immediately vetoed. Once more, I will be introducing legislation to privatize the sale of wine and spirits in the Commonwealth to ensure that our system provides the greatest service to the citizens of Pennsylvania. In order to divest the retail system, the legislation provides for the closing of all the State Stores. It provides a safeguard to ensure that the citizens of Pennsylvania will receive the same or better service they are currently experiencing before a State Store is closed. In order to guarantee service beyond the current level, 1,200 wine and liquor enhanced permits will be created. These permits are available for purchase by licensed beer distributors for 6 months after enactment. Such permits will create a one-stop shop for consumers, offering beer, wine, and spirits under one roof for purchase. After the 6 month right-of-first refusal has expired, any of the remaining licenses not purchased will be available via public auction to any qualified bidder. In order to further provide service to the citizens, the legislation provides for wine and liquor expanded permits for a Restaurant or Hotel. Such a permit will allow the limited sale of wine and spirits to go from the licensed premises. The legislation also creates a grocery store permit that would permit a grocery store to sell limited wine to go. In order to prevent sales to a minor, the sale to anyone looking younger than 35 years of age will require the use of a transaction scan device. The wholesale system will be leased to any importer licensed by the PLCB for 10 years. After 10 years, the system will be divested and the importers will be licensed to continue operations. Privatizing the wholesale system will help to not only increase the variety of products available in Pennsylvania, but will also provide current licensees with the service and pricing they have been requesting. Thank you for taking the time to consider co-sponsoring my legislation. |
Introduced as HB1690