House Liquor Control Committee Hosting Public Hearing on Hotel Liquor License Conversion, Says Pyle
PHILADELPHIA – Today, Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong/Butler/Indiana), chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, and other members of the committee held a public hearing on the issue of accessibility to old hotel licenses and how being able to obtain and convert those licenses will benefit local business owners across the state.
“Accessibility to these old licenses has become a real problem here in the Commonwealth,” said Pyle. “Rep. Craig Staats has brought up a potential solution to the committee through his legislation to help resolve this issue. I believe this is a good bill and it has my full support.”
Under current liquor law, owners of old hotel liquor licenses (H licenses) issued before 1949 were allowed to eliminate the requirement that they maintain hotel rooms but are not permitted to transfer their liquor license if they want to sell or get out of their current business. The H license is tied to the premise where it is located.
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House Bill 1617 would allow holders of hotel licenses, issued prior to 1949, the opportunity to convert them to restaurant liquor licenses, which would enable them to be transferred to another location in the county where the need for additional liquor licenses may be greater,” said Staats (R-Bucks). “My bill would further modernize Pennsylvania’s liquor laws and provide for the productive use of these licenses in areas of the Commonwealth in need of economic development and growth.”
It is estimated that 350 licenses would be eligible for conversion if Staats’s bill was enacted.
“If enacted, this change would be a win for consumers, business owners and economic growth,” said Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia).
Pyle said he hopes to advance the bill out of committee when the House returns to session this fall.
Representative Jeff Pyle
60th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abby Krueger
717.260.6617
akrueger@pahousegop.com
JeffPyle.net