PRA Legislative Agenda & Position Papers

The Pennsylvania Restaurant Association represents the restaurant industry before the state Legislature, and state government agencies including the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Pennsylvania Department of Industry, Bureau of Labor Law Compliance - Wage & Hour.  The PRA also represents the industry at the federal and local levels.

The PRA is the only state-wide trade association in Pennsylvania representing the foodservice industry on issues critically impacting the restaurant industry such as: minimum wage/tip credit, food safety & sanitation, and alcohol beverage service. In addition to government affairs, the PRA provides services by helping members cut through the red tape of state government.

2010 Legislative Day, April 26, 2010

• 2009 Legislative Day Presentation

PRA Priority Legislative Issues:

• Wholesale Relationship with the PLCB - Position Paper
• Union Card Check - Position Paper
• Menu & Menu Board Labeling - Position Paper
• Food Safety Certification - Position Paper
• Sales Tax Vendor Allowance - Position Paper

State Legislative Issues: 

• Legislative Update - provided by PRA lobbyist - Greenlee Partners, LLC
• Smoking Ban (Click Here for PA Smoking Ban FAQs)
  • PA Department of Health
• PLCB Boutique Wine Stores Initiative
  • PLCB Boutique Wine Store Letter to PA Senate, 9/30/09 - click here
  • House Liquor Control Committee Public Hearing, 7/8/09 - click here for testimony

Local Legislative Issues:

• City of Philadelphia Bill No. 080167 - Philadelphia Menu Labeling
  • In Philadelphia, menu labeling legislation was passed by City Council in November of 2008 and the new law will go into effect on January 1, 2010 - DELAYED ENFORCEMENT
  • Menu Labeling extension letter - 9/30/09
  • Menu Labeling Fact Sheet
  • Menu Labeling Ordinance
• Allegheny County Drink Tax
  • On January 1, 2008, the ten percent (10%) Alcoholic Beverage Tax for Allegheny County went info effect.  In December of 2008, the Allegheny County Council voted to reduce the controversial drink tax from ten percent (10%) to seven percent (7%).  In January of 2009, a judge ruled that the excess funds from the county's drink tax and car rental taxes can only be spent on the Port Authority - this ruling was another victory for those opposed to the drink tax.  A Supreme Court hearing will be scheduled in spring 2009 to review the case.  
  • Taxation group will continue battle over Allegheny's 7% drink tax - 10/3/2009
  • PA Supreme Court hears arguments on drink tax - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - 03/5/2009

Click Here for Federal Legislative Issues