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Blogs > Legal Liquor

Jan 13, 2023

Higher Prices in Pennsylvania and Liquor Law Reform in New Jersey

In the last week, liquor law developments in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have moved in contrasting directions.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”) announced it will increase prices on approximately 3,554 of its products by 4% effective Jan. 15, 2023. The PLCB stated economic conditions forced this decision, which was made off the record and without a vote. » Read More

Aug 18, 2022

Giving Pennsylvanians a Second Chance: Ethics Investigation Spurs PALCB Changes in Limited-Release Lotteries

A recent ethics investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission into the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PALCB”) has spurred changes in how the PALCB conducts limited-release lotteries.

Periodically, the PALCB conducts limited-release lotteries intending to fairly and equitably distribute rare and highly sought after spirits such as the Pappy Van Winkle Collection and the Buffalo Trace Collection. » Read More

Aug 04, 2022

Play that Funky Music up to 75 Decibels: Pennsylvania Updates Laws Regarding Sound and Music Amplification

Outdoor dining in Pennsylvania was always a novelty, but it became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenon highlighted a long-standing issue for restaurants that wanted to complement a customer’s experience with music.

Unfortunately, in the past, state law prohibited any sound beyond the property line. » Read More

Jan 20, 2022

PLCB Approves Sales of CBD Products

Recently, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“PLCB”) amended Advisory Notice No. 9, which establishes guidelines relating to the provisions of the liquor code and PLCB regulations authorizing what a distributor or importing distributor may sell or rent. This amendment now allows for beer distributors or importing distributors to sell various cannabidiol (“CBD”) products to both the general public and other licensees of the PLCB. » Read More

Nov 18, 2021

Pandemic-Driven Amendments to Liquor Code Truly Novel

On Nov. 5, 2021, Governor Tom Wolf signed into law House Bill 425, which became effective immediately. Inspired by the restaurant industry’s struggle to recover from the pandemic and related shifts in operations, the bill presents new opportunities for licensees by eliminating a major hurdle for licensing premises under a licensee’s control. » Read More

Sep 30, 2021

School’s Back – RAMP Training Returns to the Classroom

Back in 2000, Act 141 established the Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP). This began as a voluntary certification program that provided incentives for licensees to participate in and completed five training components — Owner/Manager Training, Server/Seller Training, New Employee Orientation, Signage, and Affidavit Request — for RAMP Certification. » Read More

Jun 17, 2021

Political Winds Knock Out Drinks to Go and Temporary Extensions in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania COVID-19 emergency declaration really changed how alcohol was sold and regulated over the last 16 months. While there were significant limitations on restaurants, several benefits helped the hospitality industry pivot to other income sources. Under the original series of declarations made by Governor Wolf, licensees could not sell food or alcohol for on-premises consumption and, incrementally, occupancy was eventually permitted but remain limited. » Read More

May 13, 2021

Restaurant Revitalization Fund: Economic Relief for Restaurants

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) became public law, establishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). The ARPA appropriated $28.6 billion for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financial assistance to restaurants, bars, and other similar places of business that suffered revenue losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. » Read More