Today, the Pennsylvania House passed HB 1154, a bill to make cocktails to-go permanent – increasing consumer convenience and supporting hospitality businesses devastated by COVID-19. The bill now heads to the Senate Law and Justice Committee for consideration.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated Pennsylvania’s hospitality businesses, and it will take years for them to fully recover,” said David Wojnar, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Senior Vice President and Head of State Public Policy. “Cocktails to-go have proven to be a critical revenue stream for Pennsylvania businesses during COVID-19, and making this measure permanent will only provide increased stability in the future. We thank the House for moving this measure forward and encourage the Senate to take up and pass this bill as soon as possible.”
In May 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed a bill allowing those holding valid restaurant or hotel liquor licenses to sell mixed drinks to-go in a sealed container if the business lost more than 25 percent of their average monthly total sales, including alcohol sales, as a result of restrictions imposed during COVID-19. HB 1154 removes the 25 percent requirement and makes cocktails to-go permanent.
Background:
More than 35 states began allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go as a COVID economic relief measure. Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Montana, Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Kansas, Arizona and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent. Dozens of other states are also considering legislation to extend or make permanent cocktails to-go measures.
The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility and encourages moderation for adults who choose to drink alcohol. Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed.