Vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that authorizes bars and restaurants to open at 50 percent capacity, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Authorizes establishments with inside seating to operate at a minimum of 50 percent capacity for indoor dining while abiding by social distancing or maintaining physical barriers (Sec 1).

• Authorizes establishments to operate at above 50 percent capacity for indoor dining if all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state guidelines are followed (Sec 1).

• Authorizes establishments to serve alcoholic beverages to patrons without the purchase of a meal (Sec 1).

• Authorizes establishments to resume bar service for food and beverages (Sec 1).

• Specifies that an outdoor serving area may only be utilized for the purposes of outdoor dining and may not include a kitchen or bar (Sec 1).

• Specifies that an “establishment” includes (Sec 1):

• A restaurant, bar, hotel, or private club that serves food and beverages;

• A brewpub, brewery, winery, or distillery; or

• Event venues such as banquet halls, private clubs, or establishments that regularly hold events.

• Specifies that an “establishment” does not include nightclubs, music, or entertainment venues (Sec 1).

• Specifies that the “COVID-19 disaster emergency” pertains to the proclamation of the disaster emergency issued by the governor on March 6, 2020 (Sec 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend pass a bill that authorizes bars and restaurants to open at 50 percent capacity, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Authorizes establishments with inside seating to operate at a minimum of 50 percent capacity for indoor dining while abiding by social distancing or maintaining physical barriers (Sec 1).

• Authorizes establishments to operate at above 50 percent capacity for indoor dining if all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state guidelines are followed (Sec 1).

• Authorizes establishments to serve alcoholic beverages to patrons without the purchase of a meal (Sec 1).

• Authorizes establishments to resume bar service for food and beverages (Sec 1).

• Specifies that an outdoor serving area may only be utilized for the purposes of outdoor dining and may not include a kitchen or bar (Sec 1).

• Specifies that an “establishment” includes (Sec 1):

• A restaurant, bar, hotel, or private club that serves food and beverages;

• A brewpub, brewery, winery, or distillery; or

• Event venues such as banquet halls, private clubs, or establishments that regularly hold events.

• Specifies that an “establishment” does not include nightclubs, music, or entertainment venues (Sec 1).

• Specifies that the “COVID-19 disaster emergency” pertains to the proclamation of the disaster emergency issued by the governor on March 6, 2020 (Sec 1).

Full Bill Text