An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, further providing for Office of Administrative Law Judge; in licenses and regulations and liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for hearings upon refusal of licenses, renewals or transfers and appeals and for renewal of licenses and temporary provisions for licensees in armed service, providing for failure to maintain minimum requirements for licensure and further providing for revocation and suspension of licenses and fines, for applicants to provide State tax identification numbers and statement of State tax status, waiver of confidentiality of information in the possession of the Department of Revenue and other departments and review of State tax status and for rights of municipalities preserved; in distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses, bailees for hire and transporters for hire, further providing for appeals; and imposing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Anthony Bellmon and 13 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania strengthens alcohol licensing by requiring tax compliance verification and expanding regulatory enforcement powers, affecting thousands of bar, restaurant, and distillery operators.

Referred to Liquor Control

Legislative bill overview

HB 1413 amends Pennsylvania's Liquor Code to strengthen licensing requirements and enforcement mechanisms for alcohol beverage operations. The bill expands the role of the Office of Administrative Law Judge, requires applicants and licensees to provide state tax identification numbers and tax compliance documentation, and increases penalties for violations including failure to maintain minimum operational requirements.

Why is this important

The changes directly affect who can legally operate alcohol businesses in Pennsylvania by adding tax compliance verification as a licensing requirement. This aims to prevent tax evasion and ensure only compliant businesses operate, potentially affecting thousands of current and prospective license holders across bars, restaurants, distilleries, wineries, and distribution operations.

Potential points of contention

Privacy concerns: The bill expands information-sharing between the Liquor Control Board and the Department of Revenue, requiring confidentiality waivers that some may view as an invasion of privacy

Compliance burden: New tax documentation requirements could create barriers for small operators and increase administrative costs for existing licensees during renewal

Enforcement authority: Expanding the Administrative Law Judge role and penalties gives regulators broader discretionary power in license denials and revocations without necessarily defining clear standards

Retroactive application: Unclear whether existing licensees must immediately comply with new tax requirements or if there's a transition period