An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, in licenses and regulations and liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, providing for Philadelphia 250 permits and further provi, the official text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1503, 1505
PRINTER'S NO.  1510
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1218
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY PICOZZI AND HUGHES, MARCH 13, 2026
SENATOR PITTMAN, RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, RE-REPORTED AS
AMENDED, MARCH 17, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), entitled "An
act elating to alcoholic liquors, alcohol and malt and brewed
beverages; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto; regulating and restricting the
manufacture, purchase, sale, possession, consumption,
importation, transportation, furnishing, holding in bond,
holding in storage, traffic in and use of alcoholic liquors,
alcohol and malt and brewed beverages and the persons engaged
or employed therein; defining the powers and duties of the
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; providing for the
establishment and operation of State liquor stores, for the
payment of certain license fees to the respective
municipalities and townships, for the abatement of certain
nuisances and, in certain cases, for search and seizure
without warrant; prescribing penalties and forfeitures;
providing for local option, and repealing existing laws," in
preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in
licenses and regulations and liquor, alcohol and malt and
brewed beverages, further providing for wine and spirits
auction permits, providing for Philadelphia 250 permits and
further providing for public venue license, for special
sporting event permits for public venue licensees and for
unlawful acts relative to liquor, alcohol and liquor
licensees; and, in distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses,
bailees for hire and transporters for hire, further providing
for limited distilleries and distilleries.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1.  The definition of "ready-to-drink cocktail" in
section 102 of the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known
as the Liquor Code, added July 17, 2024 (P.L.924, No.86), is
amended to read:
Section 102.  Definitions.--The following words or phrases,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section:
* * *
"Ready-to-drink cocktail" shall mean a beverage, composed in
part of distilled liquor, combined with other nonalcoholic
ingredients, carbonated or still, by whatever name the beverage
may be called, premixed and packaged in original containers by
the manufacturer, containing not more than [sixteen ounces] four
hundred seventy-five milliliters that is not mixed or
adulterated on the licensed premises of a licensee. The term
shall include any beverage consisting of at least one-half of
one per centum, but not greater than twelve and one-half per
centum, alcohol by volume. The term shall not include any
beverage composed, in part, of wine or malt or brewed beverages.
A ready-to-drink cocktail shall be considered liquor unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
* * *
Section 2.  Section 408.12(a)(13) and (14) of the act are
amended and the subsection is amended by adding a paragraph to
read:
Section 408.12.  Wine and Spirits Auction Permits.--(a)  Upon
application of:
* * *
(13)  any nonprofit organization as defined in section 501(c)
(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26
U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)) and that is registered with the Bureau of
Corporations and Charitable Organizations of the Department of
State, recognized as a community-based voluntary organization
committed to fighting cancer and has been in existence for at
least five years; [or]
(14)  any community-based voluntary health organization in a
county of the second class which enriches the lives of children
and young adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses;
and upon payment of a fee of thirty dollars ($30) per day, the
board shall issue a wine and spirits auction permit good for a
period of not more than four consecutive or nonconsecutive days
per calendar year[.]; or
(15)  any nonprofit organization as defined under section
501(c)(3) or (6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is
organized for the purpose of connecting and advancing the
hospitality industry through community involvement, educational
programming and career development initiatives.
* * *
Section 3.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:
SECTION 1.  THE ACT OF APRIL 12, 1951 (P.L.90, NO.21), KNOWN
AS THE LIQUOR CODE, IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ:
Section 408.17.  Philadelphia 250 Permits.--(a)  A
restaurant, hotel, retail dispenser, brewery, distillery,
limited distillery or limited winery licensee that is located in
a city of the first class may apply to the board for a
Philadelphia 250 permit subject to the fees, limitations and
privileges provided for in this section.
(b)  An application for a permit under this section shall:
(1)  be filed with the board no less than    fourteen    THIRTY
days prior to the date on which the applicant intends to begin
operating under subsection (e);
(2)  include an application fee of five hundred dollars
($500), which shall be deposited by the board into The State
Stores Fund;    and
(3)  include confirmation that the licensee has completed a
specialized program offered by a city of the first class to
provide training for nighttime safety for patrons and employees   ;
AND
(4)  BE POSTED ON THE BOARD'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET
WEBSITE, INCLUDING THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE LICENSED
ESTABLISHMENT.
(B.1)  AN APPLICANT SHALL POST A NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A
PERMIT UNDER THIS SECTION IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON THE OUTSIDE
OF THE PREMISES VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR WHICH THE PERMIT IS TO
BE USED.
(c)  The board may not issue a permit under this section if:
(1)  A protest is filed with the board by a city of the first
class to the issuance of the permit.
(2)  The license of an applicant is:
(i)  subject to a pending objection by the Director of the
Bureau of Licensing or the board under section 470(a.1), until
the matter is decided;
(ii)  suspended under section 1799.6-E of the act of April 9,
1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as "The Fiscal Code";
(iii)  subject to a conditional licensing agreement resulting
from renewal proceedings under section 470; or
(iv)  subject to a pending license suspension under section
471.
(d)  A denial of a permit by the board under subsection (c)
shall not be appealable. Any disputes between the city of the
first class and an applicant or other interested parties
regarding protests filed under subsection (c)(1) shall be
resolved between those parties and shall not involve the board.
(e)  The following shall apply to a permit granted under this
section:
(1)  A permit granted under this section shall be valid
beginning June 11, 2026, and ending July 20, 2026.
(2)  Subject to paragraph (3), a permit holder under this
section shall be granted a two-hour extension per day on the
premises to the operating privileges provided by the underlying
license.
(3)  Sales for off-premises consumption shall be confined to
the times permitted by the underlying license and shall be
subject to the same rights and restrictions that are imposed on
the underlying license.
(f)  A copy of each approved permit shall be made available
to the public on the board's publicly accessible Internet
website and shall be conspicuously displayed at the place of
business, including a display on the front door of the premises.
(g)  The board may immediately revoke a permit issued under
this section if the licensee holding the permit operates outside
the scope of the permit as set forth in this section or
otherwise abuses the privileges granted by the permit. The
enforcement bureau, a city of the first class or a local law
enforcement agency may make a report to the board requesting the
revocation of the permit.
(h)  This section and permits issued under this section shall
expire July 20, 2026.
Section 4.  Section 412(f)(2) and (j) of the act are amended
to read:
Section 412.  Public Venue License.--* * *
(f)  Licenses issued under this section are to be considered
restaurant liquor licenses. However, the following additional
restrictions and privileges apply:
* * *
(2)  Sales of alcoholic beverages before, during and after
professional and amateur athletic events, performing arts events
or other entertainment events may consist of liquor or malt or
brewed beverages in shatterproof containers. Sales during trade
shows, conventions, banquets or at other events, or sales made
in the club seats or at a restaurant facility, may consist of
liquor or malt or brewed beverages in any type of container;
however, any liquor or malt or brewed beverages sold in the club
seats or restaurant facility must remain in the club seating
level or restaurant facility. For purposes of this section, a
club seat is any seating located on the designated club seating
level and partitioned from general seating by a wall, divider,
partial wall or railing. The club seating level must not be
accessible by the general public. Sales at zoos during private
banquets and other events may be at any site within zoo property
and may consist of any type of alcohol in any type of container.
The board's records shall clearly delineate where the sale of
liquor or malt or brewed beverages in any type of container may
occur. Sales of alcoholic beverages before, during and after
professional and amateur athletic events, performing arts events
or other entertainment events and sales during trade shows,
conventions, banquets or at other events, or sales made in the
club seats or at a restaurant facility, may include sales of
ready-to-draft pre-mixed keg cocktails. The use of ready-to-
draft pre-mixed keg cocktails may only be sold and consumed on
the public venue license premises.
* * *
(j)  As used in this section, [the term "amusement park"] the
following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to
them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
"Amusement park" shall have the same meaning as defined in
section 2 of the act of June 18, 1984 (P.L.384, No.81), known as
the "Amusement Ride Inspection Act."
"Ready-to-draft pre-mixed keg cocktail" shall mean a beverage
prepared on the licensed premises of a public venue licensee, in
which a nonalcoholic cocktail base, consisting of juices,
syrups, bitters, carbonated or noncarbonated water or other
flavorings, is combined with liquor in a sealed keg or similar
container using a gas-driven system for the purpose of
dispensing cocktails for on-premises consumption.
Section 5 2.  Section 412.1(c) of the act, added December 22,
2025 (P.L.337, No.56), is amended and the section is amended by
adding a subsection to read:
Section 412.1.  Special Sporting Event Permits for Public
Venue Licensees.--* * *
(c)  [A] Except as provided for under subsection (c.1), a
permit issued under this section shall be valid for a period of
no more than six days associated with the special sporting
event.
(c.1)  Notwithstanding subsection (c), a permit issued in
2026 to a public venue licensee in a city of the first class for
an international soccer tournament shall be valid for a period
of no more than fifty days in association with the international
soccer tournament.
* * *
Section 6.  Section 491(4) and (10) of the act are amended to
read:
Section 491.  Unlawful Acts Relative to Liquor, Alcohol and
Liquor Licensees.--
It shall be unlawful--
* * *
(4)  (i)  Possession and Use of Decanters. [For] Except as
provided for under subclause (ii), for any person to use
decanters of alcoholic beverages except that the use of
decanters or other similar receptacles by licensees shall be
permitted in the case of wines and then only in accordance with
the regulations of the board, but nothing herein contained shall
prohibit the manufacture and possession of wine as provided in
clause (2) of this section.
(ii)  Subclause (i) shall not be construed to prohibit a
public venue licensee from using a sealed keg or similar
container using a gas-driven dispensing system to store and
dispense ready-to-draft pre-mixed keg cocktails if the use would
otherwise be subject to clause (10) and all of the following
apply:
(A)  The ready-to-draft pre-mixed keg cocktails are not
maintained for more than the maximum length of time specified by
the manufacturer of the sealed keg or similar container.
(B)  The licensee cleans the dispensing system in the manner
and at the frequency approved by the board for similar
dispensing systems.
(C)  The licensee maintains records demonstrating compliance
with this clause and the lawful acquisition of alcohol stored in
the sealed keg or similar container.
(iii)  (Reserved).
* * *
(10)  (i)  Fortifying, Adulterating or Contaminating Liquor.
[For] Except as provided for under subclause (ii), for any
licensee or any employe or agent of a licensee or of the board,
to fortify, adulterate or contaminate any liquor, except as
permitted by the regulations of the board, or to refill wholly
or in part, with any liquid or substance whatsoever, any liquor
bottle or other liquor container.
(ii)  Nothing in this clause shall preclude a public venue
licensee from using a sealed keg or similar container with a
gas-driven dispensing system to store and dispense ready-to-
draft pre-mixed keg cocktails if all of the following apply:
(A)  The ready-to-draft pre-mixed keg cocktails are not
maintained for more than the maximum length of time specified by
the manufacturer of the sealed keg or similar container.
(B)  The licensee cleans the dispensing system in the manner
and at the frequency approved by the board for similar
dispensing systems.
(C)  The licensee maintains records demonstrating compliance
with this clause and the lawful acquisition of alcohol stored in
the sealed keg or similar container.
(iii)  Subclause (ii) shall not be construed to limit the
authority of the enforcement bureau to cite a licensee for a
violation of this clause if the licensee permits liquor or a
ready-to-draft pre-mixed keg cocktail to be contaminated by
fruit flies, sediment, bacteria or any other substance that
would be harmful to consumers.
* * *
Section 7 3.  Section 505.4(a) of the act is amended to read:
Section 505.4.  Limited Distilleries and Distilleries.--(a)
(1)  The board may issue a distillery of historical significance
license to any distillery which was established prior to January
1, [1875] 1885. The holder of the license may manufacture and
sell liquor produced on the licensed premises to the board, to
entities licensed by the board and to the public under such
conditions and regulations as the board may enforce. [Production
at the distillery of historical significance shall be limited to
an amount not to exceed twenty thousand (20,000) gallons per
year.] The distillery does not need to establish continuous
operation since January 1, [1875] 1885, in order to qualify for
a license under this section.
(2)  The board may issue to the holder of a distillery
license a distillery of historical significance license in
exchange for the distillery license so long as the applicant was
established prior to January 1, 1885. The board may not charge a
fee for the exchange. An applicant under this subsection must
surrender the applicant's distillery license for cancellation
prior to the issuance of a distillery of historical significance
license.
(3)  A holder of a distillery of historical significance
license shall be permitted the same rights as governed under a
distillery license.
* * *
Section 8 4.  This act shall take effect immediately.