HARRISBURG – State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33) intends to introduce legislation that would ease restrictions on the products that Pennsylvania breweries, wineries and distilleries are permitted to sell for take-home consumption.
Currently, state law limits take-home sales at those businesses to products that are generated by the operator.
Mastriano believes that existing liquor regulations are having a harmful impact on businesses that are already struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Restrictions on what these businesses are able to sell for take-home consumption is negatively impacting their ability to cope with coronavirus mitigation efforts,” said Mastriano. “As lawmakers, we need to loosen our liquor code restrictions to help our businesses survive.”
The legislation that is being proposed by Mastriano will eliminate the restrictive requirements related to Pennsylvania breweries, distilleries and wineries, and allow those operators to sell all PA products for take-home consumption. Mastriano pointed out that statewide businesses are already hurting as a result of the Governor’s emergency declaration, so efforts should be taken to reduce bureaucratic red tape.“As the chair of the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, I am constantly hearing concerns about the bureaucratic red tape that impedes our business sector,” said Mastriano. “We need to look out for small business owners, and eliminate the oppressive regulations that are impacting their operations.”
During an Intergovernmental Operations Committee hearing in December, issues were raised regarding the state’s liquor code. The committee has focused on red tape reduction since Mastriano was named chairman in June of 2019.
CONTACT: Scot Andrew Pitzer; spitzer@pasen.gov