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PA SB21
Bill
Status
4/28/2025
Primary Sponsor
Anthony Williams
Click for details
AI Summary
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Redefines "substantial food offerings sufficient to constitute a meal" as two or more entrée options and two or more side options on a printed menu available to at least 30 persons whenever alcohol is served, with entrées not consisting solely of sealed prepackaged items.
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Allows establishments to procure food from third parties rather than preparing it on-premises, and requires seating for 30 persons to be accessible and available during all hours alcohol is served.
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Creates new administrative suspension process for licensees failing to maintain minimum requirements (seating, square footage, food, permits), with $2,000 fine and 30-day suspension for first offense, $4,000 fine and 60-day suspension or revocation for second offense within 12 months.
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Shifts appeals from liquor license decisions from county courts of common pleas to Commonwealth Court using appellate review standard based solely on the board record, extends appeal deadline from 20 to 30 days.
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Increases fine ranges for violations from $50-$1,000 to $250-$2,000 for standard offenses and from $1,000-$5,000 to $2,000-$10,000 for serious violations including sales to minors, and requires license renewal applications to include local tax clearance.
Legislative Description
In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, further provid ing for Office of Administrative Law Judge; in licenses and regulations and liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for hearings upon refusal of licenses, renewals or transfers and appeals, for renewal of licenses and temporary provisions for licensees in armed service, providing for failure to maintain minimum requirements for licensure and further providing for revocation and suspension of licenses and fines, for applicants to provide State tax identification numbers and statement of State tax status, waiver of confidentiality of information in the possession of the Department of Revenue and other departments and review of State tax status and for rights of municipalities preserved; in distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses, bailees for hire and transporters for hire, further providing for appeals; and imposing penalties.
Last Action
Referred to Law & Justice
4/28/2025