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Reps. Miranda and West unveil legislation to delay liquor permit renewal deadlines

Say their bill would provide short-term relief for bars & restaurants
July 31, 2020
Jessica E. Miranda News

COLUMBUS- State Rep. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park) today announced legislation to temporarily delay the deadlines by which bar and restaurant liquor permit holders must renew their permits.

“As Ohio’s bars and restaurants continue to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic and its extreme economic challenges, we believe this bill is a way to provide them with some additional, much-needed flexibility,” said Rep. West. “I was glad to work with JobsOhio on providing the $500 rebate for liquor purchases, but we must do more to make bar and restaurant owners whole in light of continued revenue losses. Our legislation is a commonsense way to do so and to remind these small business owners that we are in their corner during this time.”

The bill would delay by three months the upcoming deadline by which bar and restaurant liquor permit holders must renew their permits, as well as the following year’s deadline. For example, those permit holders who currently must renew their permit by October 1, 2020 would have until January 4, 2021 to renew their permit. The following year, they would have until April 4, 2022 to renew, thus effectively extending the duration of the permit from 12 to 15 months.

“As we navigate through this pandemic, it is important that we provide Ohio’s small businesses with as much support as possible, said Rep. Miranda. “This legislation provides bar and restaurant owners with some relief. By delaying the deadline further, we can help to ease the burden some business owners are feeling to renew their liquor permits.” 

Under the bill, local governments and the Statewide Treatment and Prevention Fund would still receive the revenue which they would have received from the permit renewal fees under the current structure.

The lawmakers will formally introduce the bill next Tuesday during a nonvoting session of the Ohio House.

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