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House Liquor Control Committee unanimously approves bill widening 'historic distillery' definition
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Summary
The committee passed House Bill 2147, which moves the qualifying origination date from Jan. 1, 1875, to Jan. 1, 1885, removes a 20,000-gallon production cap and allows qualifying distilleries to exchange licenses without a fee; sponsor Rep. Joe Hohenstein cited a long-running distillery in his district and asked for an affirmative vote.
The House Liquor Control Committee voted unanimously to approve House Bill 2147, a measure that tightens the date threshold for a "distillery of historical significance," removes a 20,000-gallon annual production cap and permits qualifying distilleries to exchange one license for another without paying a fee.
Representative Joe Hohenstein, the bill's sponsor, told the committee the change was intended to protect and recognize longstanding producers in his district. "It is America's, not just Pennsylvania's, but America's oldest cordial producer, and it's right in my district at Trenton in Lehigh and employs a number of folks," Hohenstein said, asking the panel for an "affirmative vote."
The bill, as read aloud by committee executive director Lynn, would amend the statutory origination date from 01/01/1875 to 01/01/1885 for the historic distillery designation, remove the prior requirement that a designated distillery cannot produce more than 20,000 gallons a year, and allow a qualifying distillery to exchange a license for a historic-license designation without paying a fee. Lynn said this is an existing license category and that, while none currently hold the designation, more than one distillery could qualify under the revised definition. "There are there is at least 1 other that would qualify," Lynn said.
Representative Gaydos, speaking in support of identifying and preserving historic distilleries, asked how many operations would qualify under the new standard. Hohenstein said he believed the change might apply only to the distillery he cited in his remarks, but deferred to the executive director for confirmation. Lynn confirmed at least one other distillery could meet the revised criteria, though no facility currently holds the historic designation.
The committee recorded no opposing votes and the Chair announced that House Bill 2147 "passes, affirmatively, unanimously." The meeting adjourned shortly afterward.
The committee did not record a formal roll-call tally tied to individual members in the transcript; the bill passed by unanimous voice vote as announced by the Chair. The bill's next procedural steps were not specified during the session.
