Alcohol license reviews would use sites' licensing and use histories

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board would hold a hearing when someone eligible to testify requests one within the first 15 days of the application notice. Hearings cover new hotel, club, or restaurant liquor licenses and transfers to this location category. Residents within 500 feet could testify. The location category includes sites that never held a retail liquor, beer distributor, or importing distributor license. It also includes previously licensed sites that were not used for a later purpose unrelated to the license for at least three years. The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

The board could refuse covered liquor applications based on distance and must refuse those it finds harmful to residents within 500 feet. This covers new hotel, restaurant, and club liquor licenses, certain transfers, and extensions to additional space. Covered past licenses include retail liquor and beer distribution licenses. Covered transfers go to sites that never held a covered alcohol license, or previously held one but were not used for a later purpose unrelated to the license for at least three years. Distance rules concern listed community facilities within 300 feet and other licensed premises within 200 feet. Public venues and performing arts facilities have a distance-rule exception, but nearby schools remain covered.

The board could refuse covered beer distributor applications based on distance and must refuse those it finds harmful to residents within 500 feet. These rules cover new beer distributor and importing distributor licenses and transfers to the described sites. Covered transfers go to sites that never held a retail liquor, beer distributor, or importing distributor license, or previously held one but were not used for a later purpose unrelated to the license for at least three years. Distance rules concern listed community facilities within 300 feet and other licensed premises within 200 feet.

The board could refuse covered beer retail applications based on distance and must refuse those it finds harmful to residents within 500 feet. These rules cover new beer retail licenses, certain transfers, and extensions to additional space. Covered transfers go to sites that never held a retail liquor, beer distributor, or importing distributor license, or previously held one but were not used for a later purpose unrelated to the license for at least three years. Distance rules concern listed community facilities within 300 feet and other licensed premises within 200 feet.