Dec. 14, 2023
HARRISBURG – The state Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) that would allow for the transfer of a liquor license which has received pre-approval if a surcharge is paid.
Specifically,
House Bill 38 would allow for the transfer of liquor licenses for hotels, restaurants, clubs, distributors, importing distributors and retail distributors that have received initial approval if the licensee cannot comply with requirements to receive operating authority if the request is accompanied by a surcharge.
The surcharge would be $15,000 if the license is located in a county of the first through third class and $5,000 if the license is located in a county of the fourth through eighth class. The legislation would also designate the time between approval of an initial application and the issuance of operating authority to the licensee as time in safekeeping.
The bill addresses complications in the process of transferring specific classifications of liquor licenses,” said Mustello. “It maintains Pennsylvania’s high standards for the operation of establishments, while removing barriers and reducing time to getting new businesses up and running.”
Mustello also noted that the legislation would help business owners looking to transfer liquor licenses in certain circumstances.
House Bill 38 is headed to the governor’s desk for his signature.