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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 29, 2021 02:47 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Stephen Kinsey and Rep. Amen Brown, Rep. Isabella V. Fitzgerald |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | New Application Process for Philadelphia Liquor Licenses |
| “Stop-and-go” establishments, which are primarily focused on providing liquor while offering minimal food options, have been a problem in Philadelphia for some time, often becoming a site of public drunkenness, prostitution, and drug-dealing. Most of these establishments know the liquor laws very well, and as such, are often free of citations. Sometimes, a restaurant licensee operating as a bar will temporarily close down and reopen as a stop-and go-establishment. If the licensee has never had any citations and is obeying any conditional license agreements, residents have little recourse in preventing this type of business from coming to their neighborhood. For this reason, We will introduce legislation that requires any restaurant, hotel or club liquor licensee located in Philadelphia County to submit an application with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) if the licensee wishes to make substantial changes to the licensed premises or business model. The licensee would be required to post public notice of the proposed changes for a period of 30 days, and residents who live within 500 feet of the establishment would have the chance to request a hearing on the proposed changes. The PLCB would be required to take into account the testimony of residents in deciding whether to approve the proposed changes. These changes will help to stop the spread of “stop-and-go” establishments in Philadelphia. Please join us in supporting this legislation to better protect our communities and provide necessary oversight for these establishments. |
Introduced as HB2376