Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the state to transition the wholesale and retail distribution of wine and spirits to private enterprises.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of General Services of the Commonwealth to transition the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s wholesale and retail distribution of wine and spirits to privately-owned and privately-operated licensees (Sec. 9).

• Authorizes the board to issue wine and spirits wholesale licenses 1 year after the effective date of the bill (Sec. 9).

• Requires the department to complete the transition of wholesale liquor distribution within 6 months once transition begins (Sec. 9).

• Authorizes the board to issue no more than 1,200 wine and spirits retail licenses initially and if determined by the department to be necessary for customer convenience, no more than 600 additional retail licenses (Sec. 9).

• Requires the board to issue wine and spirits retail licenses for the first 12 months to malt or brewed beverages distributor licensees who apply and meet certain requirements (Sec. 9).

• Authorizes the board to issue the wine and spirits retail licenses remaining after the first 12 months on a first-come, first-served basis (Sec. 9).

• Authorizes the board to issue wine and spirits retail licenses stores for any premises kept or operated by a hotel, restaurant, club, or grocery store (Sec. 10).

• Requires wine and spirits retail and wholesale licenses to be renewed every two years, subject to validation (Sec. 9).

• Establishes guidelines for the board to close down Pennsylvania Liquor Stores in a given county as licenses are awarded in that county (Sec. 9).

• Prohibits the board from hiring new employees for its retail operations, including but not limited to its bureau of marketing and retail operations, unless it is authorized by the department (Sec. 9).

• Requires a reemployment tax credit voucher in the amount of $2,000 per taxable year to be made available to every displaced employee for two years upon termination of employment (Sec. 9).

• Requires a 2 year grant for attending an institution of higher education to be made available to every “displaced employee” within 1 year of termination of employment in the following amounts (Sec. 9):
• $2,000 per year for full-time attendance; or
• $1,000 per year for part-time attendance.

• Defines “displaced employee” as a salaried employee of the board whose employment is terminated as a sole and direct result of the implementation of this bill (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits provisions of the bill from affecting the payment of the certain benefits to employees displaced directly from the transition of the board’s retail and wholesale operations to private licensees including the following (Sec. 9): 
• Pension benefits accrued prior to termination of employment; and
• Benefits derived from the terms of a pre-existing collective bargaining agreement payable upon termination of employment.

Full Bill Text