THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY ARGALL, SCARNATI, M. WHITE, WARD, McILHINNEY, ERICKSON, BROWNE, FARNESE, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA, ALLOWAY AND YUDICHAK, OCTOBER 24, 2011

REFERRED TO LAW AND JUSTICE, OCTOBER 24, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an

economic impact study of the brewery industry in this

Commonwealth.

RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Budget and Finance

Committee to conduct an economic impact study of the brewery

industry in this Commonwealth, which study shall:

(1)  define and explain the act of April 12, 1951

(P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, and its

administration in layman's terms in order to assist those

outside of the brewery industry to understand the issues and

challenges faced by the brewery industry under the current

regulatory framework;

(2)  detail the historical and current conditions of the

brewery industry over the last 15 years, including, but not

limited to:  growth of PA breweries; the global, national and

local business climate of breweries; the business climate of

beer wholesalers and retailers; and the consideration of

breweries as manufacturers;

(3)  focus on the ownership of the breweries, in terms of

their status as private, family owned or publicly held;

(4)  explore the economic effects of the brewery industry

and how the brewery industry generates wealth and

productivity for individuals and other industries;

(5)  research brewery industry employment, payroll,

capital expenditures and investments that have been made by

the brewery industry into the economy of this Commonwealth; 

(6)  identify the overall philanthropic contributions

made by the brewery industry to charitable and community-

based causes and the overall role that breweries in this

Commonwealth play in their communities in terms of generating

civic pride and economic development;

(7)  explain the three-tier system, requirements

regarding exclusive distribution agreements and the impact of

these factors on the brewery industry;

(8)  identify and detail the potential for the linkage of

breweries to the overall efforts to become a tourist

destination;

(9)  examine industry clusters in food and beverage and

how the presence of these clusters has been positively

exploited by other regions, including economic capitalization

of clusters such as wine in the Napa Valley and the Bordeaux

region of France, Germany/Bavaria and its linkage to malt

beverages and Wisconsin and its linkage to cheese;

(10)  determine how the brewing industry in this

Commonwealth can be used to promote value-added economic

development and jobs on a Statewide and regional level;

(11)  identify ways in which State governmental and

community entities can assist breweries in this Commonwealth

in maintaining a competitive advantage to ensure that

economic growth will continue for the brewing industry and

thus create growth for Pennsylvania economies overall;

(12)  identify legislative, administrative and regulatory

actions which will ensure the brewery industry’s continued

growth, thus creating family-sustaining jobs and industry

expansion in other sectors; and

(13)  evaluate the enactment of a tax credit for capital

investments by breweries in this Commonwealth;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee submit its study to the Senate

not later than one year from adoption of this resolution.