Committee advances bill removing city scales, scanners and amusement device licenses; seeks state enforcement details

The Committee on Rules considered bill 250572, which would remove from the Philadelphia Code the city licenses for scales and scanners and for amusement devices while retaining the city’s amusement tax. Karen Fegley, acting director of the Department of Commerce, testified in support, describing the change as a code cleanup to remove redundant city licensing requirements that duplicate state or other city regulation.

Fegley said the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Division of Weights and Measures already regulates and inspects commercial scales and scanners and requires registration for firms that sell, install or repair such devices. Justine Boulkes, senior director for business advocacy at the Department of Commerce, told the committee that each of the three licenses carried a $50 fee previously; removing them would eliminate renewal burdens for businesses. Witnesses said the city retains the amusement tax and special assembly/occupancy licensing that apply to events and venues.

Committee members asked follow-up questions about enforcement capacity at the state level. Councilmember Scuilla and others requested that the administration obtain written confirmation from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture about its inspection cadence, staffing and capacity to provide enforcement in Philadelphia. Councilmember Cathy Gilmore Richardson also asked for clarification that the proposed change would not exempt businesses from the amusement tax or from other required permits such as special assembly/occupancy licenses.

The committee did not add bill-specific amendments on the floor; the bill was included in a multi-bill package that the committee reported favorably and advanced to full council. Members asked the administration to provide the requested state confirmation before final passage.