Businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic are getting some relief thanks to a move from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
The board voted on Wednesday, by a vote of 2-1, to forgive about $27.7 million in license fees next year, "for retail licensees most impacted by the pandemic, including holders of restaurant, retail dispenser, club, catering club and hotel licenses.
"Following the Governor's request last week to waive license fees and provide some relief to struggling businesses, the PLCB did its due diligence in evaluating our authority to waive fees authorized by various state laws, as well as the fiscal impact of doing so," said Board Chairman Tim Holden. "We believe it's the right thing to do in support of our restaurants, bars, and gathering places, so we're glad next year to ease the financial burden to some extent for these local businesses."
License and permit fees being waived vary from $30 to $700. In addition, Safekeeping extension fees that allow a license to preserve an inactive one for beyond two years, that vary at $5,000 to $10,000 a year, depending on the location of business will also be waived.
"Licensees will still be required to timely file validation and renewal applications to keep licensees current and to avoid late-filing fees," a release from the PLCP states.
"I absolutely support efforts to provide relief to our bars and restaurants, but I don't believe the PLCB has the authority to waive statutorily established fees," said Board Member Mike Negra, explaining his dissenting vote. "This fee waiver is the equivalent of the PLCB legislating, rather than administering current law, and legislating is the role of the Pennsylvania Senate, House and Governor."
Less than 1,000 licenses have yet to be renewed/validated for 2020 and must be done so by December 31, 2020.
"In the interest of fairness and in light of the fact that less than 1,000 licensees have not renewed/validated their licenses in 2020 as compared to about 16,000 that have done so and paid the associated fees, the PLCB will require all licensees to file all documents and pay all fees necessary to bring their license up to date for 2020 by Dec. 31, 2020."
Fee that will continue to be collected include those with wine expanded permit applications and renewals, direct "wine shipper licenses, change of ownership and/or location of a license, application fees for new licenses, fees associated with a licensee's change of officers/managers and extension of licensed premises. Manufacturers, beer distributors and transporters for hire – businesses less impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, will be required to pay license fees in 2021."
