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September 21, 2004
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Rafferty's Bill to 'Uncork' Old Prohibition Law

Senator John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) has introduced legislation that would permit state residents to purchase small amounts of wine while visiting other states without the fear of being fined or arrested.

Rafferty said Senate Bill 1228 would amend the Pennsylvania Liquor Code to allow individuals to bring up to three gallons into the state, provided the wine is for personal consumption and not for resale.

"Currently, state residents are permitted to import wine from foreign countries or United States territories, but if they bring a bottle of wine home that they may have purchased in a neighboring state they can be fined or arrested," Rafferty said.

Rafferty added, "I believe our residents should be able to visit wineries in other states, since we encourage folks to come here and sample our Pennsylvania's wines. This prohibition makes little sense and penalizes state residents for no good reason."

As an example, a person can purchase a bottle of wine on vacation in Canada and bring it home legally, but if they stop in New York on the way home and buy a bottle, they are breaking the law.

Rafferty said he believes his legislation has support in the Senate Law and Justice Committee, which oversees liquor code changes.