House Republican leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) testified before the House Liquor Control Committee this afternoon on the merits of his HB 11, whose main thrust is to privatize the state’s liquor industry. The hearing, which clocked in at just under three and a half hours, featured extensive questioning from committee members on subjects ranging from jobs to taxation to the philosophical question of whether the state should be in the business of selling alcohol. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story on the hearing.
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Posted by Mike | Tags: alcohol, liquor, privatization, taxation | Category: House Liquor Control, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Liquor Control Committee this morning reported as amended two bills to reform PLCB operations. HB 260 allows the PLCB to establish and implement a customer relations marketing program; allows the PLCB to open as many stores as it deems necessary on Sundays and extends the hours for those stores until 9 p.m.; and increases the fines and penalties for most violations by a liquor licensee. HB 1356 allows the PLCB to hire employees outside the Civil Services Act and authorizes the PLCB to purchase all goods and services at its sole discretions. Both bills are initiatives of the PLCB. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: PLCB | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Liquor Control | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Liquor Control Committee held a public hearing on HB 242; the legislation would allow distillers to sell their products on site. The committee heard from the Philadelphia Distilling Company, the Pittsburgh Distilling Company and Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries as well as a New York company, Finger Lakes Distilling. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Matt | Category: House Liquor Control | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Liquor Control Committee held an informational meeting with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to get an overview of their operations and duties. The committee members inquired about privatization, selection availability, and store location decisions. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story. Posted by Matt | Category: House Liquor Control | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Liquor Control Committee reported out as amended HB 1547 and HB 1860. HB 1547 amends the Liquor Code to change the de nova standard of review to a deferential standard of review. The committee added two amendments to the bill. The first amendment clarifies certain existing Board policies. The second amendment allows the serving of alcohol at private banquets or other events at accredited zoos in the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. HB 1860 amends the Liquor Code to increase the number of days a limited winery may use a special permit. An amendment was approved to allow wine to be sold by the glass at licensed premises and at the limited winery’s additional board-approved locations. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Wine, zoos | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Liquor Control | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Liquor Control Committee and the Senate Law and Justice Committee held a joint public hearing with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today. Patrick Stapleton, Chairman of PLCB, discussed a number of initiatives including wine kiosks and a new “Enterprise Resource Planning” system. Chairman Stapleton also spoke about a number of legislative initiatives and urged the members to allow the PLCB to “utilize market-based pricing,” increase fines for violations of the Liquor Code and allow the Board to be a lottery retailer. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Matt | Category: House Liquor Control, Senate Law & Justice Committee | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Liquor Control Committee and the Senate Law and Justice Committee held a joint hearing to discuss and examine the events surrounding recent beer raids in Philadelphia. Minority Chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) took issue with how the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement handled the issue which involved four armed troopers. “A teenager with a clipboard could have done what they needed to do,” he stated. Testifiers included Dominic Origlio, President of the Origlio Beverage; Leigh Maida, Owner of the Memphis Taproom; Joe Conti, President of the Liquor Control Board and Major John Lutz, Director of the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Matt | Category: House Liquor Control | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Local Govt Committee met this morning to consider two bills, both of which were reported as amended. HB 1772 garnered little discussion and was quickly approved with a technical amendment unanimously. HB 1390, which provides for comprehensive stormwater management, was discussed in depth. Several members raised concerns over the cost, despite the changes by amendment that would mandate state assistance to be available before municipalities are required to begin their plans. The bill was ultimately reported with two amendments and 8 Republicans voting in the negative. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: stormwater management, voting | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Liquor Control, House Local Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Local Government Committee met this morning to rerefer one bill (HB 2042) to Labor Relations and to discuss HB 1390, which provides for comprehensive stormwater management. The members asked many questions, but ultimately the concerns boiled down to cost. Chairman Freeman expects the committee to vote on the bill next week with amendments. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: stormwater management, voting | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Liquor Control, House Local Government, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Local Gov’t Committee met this morning and reported three bills without amendments and discussed a fourth bill, SB 168. Chairman Freeman explained he has mixed feelings about the bill and after hearing from proponents and opponents he invited members of the committee to contact him with their thoughts about moving forward. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today. Posted by Kim | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Liquor Control, House Local Government | Comments are closed | Share:
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