(a) The Stop-and-Go Legislative Task Force is established.
(b) The task force shall:
(1) Review and analyze the law, procedures, practices, processes and rules relating to the issues involving stop-and-go establishments.
(2) Hold public hearings for the taking of testimony and the requesting of documents.
(3) Through the chair, administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before the task force.
(4) Accept and review written comments from individuals and organizations.
(5) Issue the report under subsection (f) no later than four months after the task force's initial meeting. In addition to any information that the task force deems appropriate, the report shall:
(i) Define and create a liquor license category for stop-and-go establishments located and operating within a city of the first class.
(ii) Provide recommendations for regulating stop-and-go establishments that are located and operating within a city of the first class.
(c) The task force shall consist of the following members who shall be appointed within twenty-five days after the effective date of this subsection:
(1) One member appointed by the Governor.
(2) One member appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate.
(3) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.
(4) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
(6) An ex officio member from the board who shall not have voting rights.
(d) A chair of the task force shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the task force.
(e) The task force shall conduct business as follows:
(1) The physical presence of a majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The ex officio member of the task force shall not be considered for purposes of a quorum.
(2) Action of the task force must be authorized or ratified by a majority vote of the members.
(3) A member not physically present may participate by teleconference or video conference.
(4) The first public meeting of the task force shall be convened within forty-five days of the effective date of this paragraph. Additional public meetings may be called by the chair as necessary.
(5) The chair shall schedule a meeting upon written request of a two-thirds majority of the members.
(6) The task force shall hold public hearings as necessary.
(7) All meetings and hearings held by the task force shall be subject to 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings).
(8) The board shall provide administrative or other assistance to the task force.
(9) Members may not receive compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in service.
(f) The task force shall compile a report of recommendations under subsection (b) within four months after the task force's initial meeting and deliver the report to each member of the General Assembly who represents residents of a city of the first class, the board, the chairman and minority chairman of the Law and Justice Committee of the Senate and the chairman and minority chairman of the Liquor Control Committee of the House of Representatives.
(g) The task force shall expire thirty days after delivery of the final report under subsection (f).
(h) As used in this section:
(1) The term “stop-and-go establishment” means establishments that are:
(i) legal holders of restaurant or R-licenses; and
(ii) a convenience store or deli that sells beer and liquor, sometimes in quantities as low as a single shot, that may be consumed on premises or immediately outside the establishment.
(2) The term “task force” means the Stop-and-Go Legislative Task Force established under this section.
Credits
1951, April 12, P.L. 90, No. 21, § 218, added 2023, Dec. 14, P.L. 414, No. 49, § 2, effective in 60 days [Feb. 12, 2024].
47 P.S. § 2-218, PA ST 47 P.S. § 2-218
Current through Act 13 of the 2024 Regular Session. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
