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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 3, 2023 09:26 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jessica Benham |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Allowing Public Comment on Nuisance Bar Liquor License Renewals |
| Currently in Pennsylvania, residents who live within 500 feet of an establishment that applies for a new hotel, club, or restaurant liquor license, or an establishment that is transferring such a license to a new location, are given the opportunity to object to the license. To do so, residents are required to file their objections with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) within 30 days of the establishment posting their notice of application. After these objections are filed, a public hearing may be scheduled to take testimony from the applicant and the people and entities who have filed protests and petitions to intervene. While this process provides communities with the ability to have their voices heard and decide whether or not they want a liquor license to be granted, there is not currently a similar process to allow residents to voice their opposition to the renewal of a hotel, club, or restaurant liquor license in their community. To address this shortcoming, I will be introducing legislation to allow a similar process for residents within 500 feet of an establishment that is seeking a renewal of their hotel, club, or restaurant liquor license. Residents would have the opportunity to file an objection for any renewal that is pending objection by the Director of the Bureau of Licensing for a violation of state law or regulation, for having been adjudicated citations by the board, or as a result of the manner in which the premises is being operated. Please join me in allowing residents to add their voices to those of local law enforcement and other local authorities to prevent nuisance bars and negligent establishments from plaguing their communities. |
Introduced as HB1251