HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
The state House of Representatives passed House Bill 790 today, a liquor privatization bill that plans to remove Pennsylvania from the business of selling wine and liquor.
The bill, now sent to the Senate, will phase out the number of state-operated wine and spirit stores by offering beer distributors first shot at 1,200 licenses to sell wine and spirits. After a year, any unsold licenses would be sold to other businesses.
Beer distributors would no longer be limited to selling beer by the case or keg, but could also sell any quantity of six-packs, 12-packs, and growlers.
Grocery and convenience stores with a restaurant license would be allowed to sell up to 24 bottles of beer in six-packs and 12-packs. Grocery stores could also be licensed to sell up to a case of wine, but buyers would not be permitted to use the self-checkout lanes.
This is the first time a liquor privatization plan has passed either chamber in the Pennsylvanian legislature.
