Bill > HB828

This bill modifies the Pennsylvania Liquor Code's provisions regarding restaurant liquor license auctions, introducing several key changes to the existing licensing process. The bill expands the conditions under which a restaurant liquor license can be made available for auction, including administrative revocation, and limits the number of licenses that can be auctioned in a county to 50 per year. It shortens the payment window for winning bidders from six months to thirty days and clarifies the transfer process for auctioned licenses. The bill introduces an "excess auction" mechanism, allowing licenses that did not sell in the initial auction to be bid on in subsequent auctions with more flexible transfer rules. Importantly, the bill establishes different transfer fees based on county classification, with higher fees for transfers into more populous counties (first through fourth classes). The bill also limits the number of licenses that can be transferred into a single county through excess auctions to two per calendar year and requires the Liquor Control Board to prioritize bids with higher amounts. Additionally, all revenue generated from license auctions and transfer fees will be deposited into the State Stores Fund and can be transferred to the General Fund. The bill aims to provide more flexibility in liquor license distribution while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Business and Industry

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=828