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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 7, 2020 12:34 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Greg Rothman |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Safe Online Ordering and Local Delivery of Beer and Wine (Former HB1993) |
| Online grocery shopping is a rapidly growing trend. People find it quick and convenient, and it is expected that by 2022, 70% of consumers could be doing at least some of their food shopping online. As this trend continues, there is an increasing demand and preference for beer and wine deliveries as part of an online grocery order. Under current Pennsylvania law, beer delivery is acceptable in some instances; however, restaurant licensees with Wine Expanded Permits (WEPs) are not permitted to deliver wine to customers. In our state, it is well established that grocery stores that offer restaurant seating can hold restaurant liquor licenses and Wine Expanded Permits (WEPS), but if a resident of Pennsylvania orders groceries from their local store, the store cannot easily deliver beer or wine to their customers, as grocers in many other states are permitted to do. In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation that would fix this problem for WEP holders, by permitting beer and wine delivery by LCB-licensed Transporters-for-Hire through an on-line delivery platforms that they establish. It would also grant these rights to beer distributors. During the COVID-19 crisis, Pennsylvania residents have learned the ordering groceries on-line and receiving their groceries via local delivery can be an easy solution in their hectic lives, and there is no good reason why beer and wine should not be included in the delivery of groceries. This legislation provides specific exemptions that permit the safe, responsible sale and delivery of wine and beer from both WEP holders and beer distributors. In order to do this, the bill clarifies elements of the Liquor Code pertaining to timing and location of transaction as well as age verification. The bill also ensures that licensee responsibility is maintained over all aspects of the transaction while confirming a Transporter-for-Hire’s authority to deliver. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. Previous Co-sponsors: BARRAR, BERNSTINE, CALTAGIRONE, MIHALEK, STAATS, KEEFER, O'NEAL, WHEELAND, BURGOS, SAYLOR, ECKER and RYAN |
Introduced as HB1162