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The Pennsylvania House passed HB 1160 by a 202-1 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate.
This bill, sponsored by Rep. Napoleon Nelson, helps many family-owned taverns, bars and licensed restaurants increase revenue opportunities as they work to recover from years of bad news.
In part, HB 1160 allows liquor licensees with off-premises catering permits to hold an unlimited number of off-premises catering events beyond 2024.
Currently, Act 87 of 2021 sunsets at the end of 2024.
If allowed to sunset, the state would revert back to outdated liquor code that limits the number of off-premises catering events.
Nelson's bill removes the sunset date among other things.
The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association fully supports this bill as it passed the House.
For several years now, it's been a financially difficult time for family-owned taverns, bars and licensed restaurants.
First, the industry lost the exclusive right to sell six-packs to go, resulting in significant loss of revenue.
This was followed by pandemic restrictions that closed indoor dining.
Then recovery efforts were hampered by supply chain issues, inflation and a lack of workers.
Passing HB 1160 to help these businesses was the right thing to do.
We hope the state Senate agrees and will move the bill as is in a timely manner.
Chuck Moran
Executive Director, Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association