A new version of the Restaurants Act, which would provide $120 billion in grants to bars and restaurants, was introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on February 4.
The bill now includes “brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms, and licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products,” Brewers Association (BA) director of federal affairs Katie Marisic wrote yesterday in an update on the bill.
“The bipartisan, bicameral legislation is an updated proposal to establish a $120 billion revitalization fund to support independent restaurants, breweries, and other hospitality businesses as they deal with the long-term structural challenges facing the industry due to COVID-19,” she wrote.
Qualifying businesses can apply for grants up to $10 million to cover payroll, benefits, rent, mortgage, utilities, maintenance and costs that have come up since the COVID-19 pandemic began, including the construction of outdoor service facilities, paid sick leave, personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies. Grants will cover expenses retroactively to February 15, 2020, through eight months after the bill is signed into law.
“We appreciate Congress understanding the important role that brewpubs and taprooms contribute to hospitality and tourism,” BA president and CEO Bob Pease added. “If passed, these grants will provide much needed additional relief to the more than 8,400 small and independent breweries located in every congressional district in the U.S.”
The House version of the bill (H.R. 793) was sponsored by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who also sponsored the earlier version introduced in June 2020. It has 83 more co-sponsors, mostly Democrats joined by two Republicans. After its introduction, the bill was referred to the financial services committee, the ways and means committee and the budget committee.
In the Senate, the bill’s (S. 255) original co-sponsors are Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Christopher Coons (D-DE) have signed on to support the bill, which was referred to the Senate finance committee.
Pandemic-Related Fees Must Be Disclosed
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, some businesses have added fees to cover the cost of protective gear for staff or additional cleaning, but fees not disclosed to the customer until the arrival of the bill may be illegal, according to a report in the Washington Post.
Consumers in 29 states have filed 510 complaints to their states’ attorneys general about surprise pandemic-related surcharges billed at restaurants, hair salons, dental offices and senior living facilities.
To avoid running afoul of consumer protection regulations, businesses should inform patrons of any additional fees before charging them.
New York Adds Restaurant Workers to Vaccine Eligibility
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo added restaurant workers and delivery drivers to the state’s vaccine-eligible residents last week, according to Grub Street, New York magazine’s food-centric vertical.
Cuomo left the decision to prioritize vaccination for restaurant workers up to local health departments, and New York City opted to extend vaccines to them on February 3.
Chicago will begin vaccines for restaurant workers in late March, according to Eater Chicago. Colorado restaurant workers will become eligible for vaccines in March, according to the Denver Post.