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Priorities

While PFMA monitors a multitude of proposed legislation, it focuses on certain priorities at the national and state level.

For a comprehensive list of legislation that PFMA is tracking, please visit the Issues page.

Federal Priorities

PFMA is working with national partners to reform the nation’s credit payment processing system, which is currently dominated by an effective monopoly of two companies that impose unjustifiable swipe fee charges and engage in other anti-competitive behavior. PFMA understands credit card swipe fees are near the top of the list of recurring business expenses, and because there is no real competition between the two largest processing networks, businesses are powerless to combat rising fees, unfair treatment and a lack of innovation.

Working to curb inflation is a priority for PFMA. Efforts at the federal level on this front include promoting domestic energy production, pushing for “breathing room” on cost-drivers such as tax increases and burdensome regulations, advocating for policies to ease supply chain disruptions and supporting efforts to help customers through food assistance and other programs.

While PFMA is focused on tackling illicit trade at the state and local level, we also support federal work on this issue both on policy reforms and efforts to enforce current law. When possible and appropriate PFMA is committed to assisting national law enforcement on this issue and others including cybersecurity and fraud.

PFMA members rely heavily on a transportation network that is safe, reliable and fast. Complementing our focus on state infrastructure development, we also are prioritizing work to promote good policy at the federal level.

PFMA supports efforts to reform and streamline the regulatory landscape on the federal level. In particular, PFMA supports the creation and establishment of CBD regulations to provide clarity for retailers and consumers for the production, distribution and sale of these products in the United States. In addition, PFMA believes our members are best equipped to make decisions regarding policies such as paid and unpaid leave for their employees.

With many food assistance programs funded and governed at the federal level, PFMA recognizes the importance of focusing advocacy on this issue toward Congress and USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. In addition to increased funding, priorities for the association include safeguarding consumer choice and making sure programs do not stagnate by consistently improving and adding enhancements like online access.

PFMA opposes an outright ban on all vapor/e-cigarette products and flavors and, instead, supports regulating and restricting the sale of the products to those over 21 years of age. PFMA believes restrictions on flavors and types of tobacco products will simply drive sales of these products underground to an illegal, unsafe black market, exacerbating crime and public health challenges rather than easing them.

Payment Processing Reform

PFMA is working with national partners to reform the nation’s credit payment processing system, which is currently dominated by an effective monopoly of two companies that impose unjustifiable swipe fee charges and engage in other anti-competitive behavior. PFMA understands credit card swipe fees are near the top of the list of recurring business expenses, and because there is no real competition between the two largest processing networks, businesses are powerless to combat rising fees, unfair treatment and a lack of innovation.

Inflation

Working to curb inflation is a priority for PFMA. Efforts at the federal level on this front include promoting domestic energy production, pushing for “breathing room” on cost-drivers such as tax increases and burdensome regulations, advocating for policies to ease supply chain disruptions and supporting efforts to help customers through food assistance and other programs.

Illicit Trade / Organized Retail Crime

While PFMA is focused on tackling illicit trade at the state and local level, we also support federal work on this issue both on policy reforms and efforts to enforce current law. When possible and appropriate PFMA is committed to assisting national law enforcement on this issue and others including cybersecurity and fraud.

Transportation and Infrastructure

PFMA members rely heavily on a transportation network that is safe, reliable and fast. Complementing our focus on state infrastructure development, we also are prioritizing work to promote good policy at the federal level.

Regulatory Reform

PFMA supports efforts to reform and streamline the regulatory landscape on the federal level. In particular, PFMA supports the creation and establishment of CBD regulations to provide clarity for retailers and consumers for the production, distribution and sale of these products in the United States. In addition, PFMA believes our members are best equipped to make decisions regarding policies such as paid and unpaid leave for their employees.

Food and Nutrition Support

With many food assistance programs funded and governed at the federal level, PFMA recognizes the importance of focusing advocacy on this issue toward Congress and USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. In addition to increased funding, priorities for the association include safeguarding consumer choice and making sure programs do not stagnate by consistently improving and adding enhancements like online access.

Tobacco Policy

PFMA opposes an outright ban on all vapor/e-cigarette products and flavors and, instead, supports regulating and restricting the sale of the products to those over 21 years of age. PFMA believes restrictions on flavors and types of tobacco products will simply drive sales of these products underground to an illegal, unsafe black market, exacerbating crime and public health challenges rather than easing them.

State Priorities

PFMA will continue to push for improvements to Pennsylvania’s business climate. PFMA’s role cuts both ways on this issue, working to promote tax law that encourages growth and expansion while also educating lawmakers on the drawbacks and risks of tax policies we believe are misguided.

  • PFMA supports legislation to exempt sales tax from being subject to credit card interchange fees. Rep. Greg Scott (D-Montgomery) has introduced HB 2394 on this issue.
  • PFMA supports proposals to expand the current cap on the Sales and Use Tax Vendor Discount, which offers a small reduction in the amount of taxes owed by businesses that collect and remit sales tax to the state in a timely manner. Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester) and Sen. Kristen Phillips-Hill (R-York) have introduced legislation on this issue as HB 2278 and SB 1225 respectively.

PFMA supports efforts to reform and streamline regulations at the state level. Pennsylvania’s food supply chain works best when the regulatory landscape makes sense and is easy to navigate. While advocating for improvements to liquor, gaming, labor, food safety, environmental and labor regulations, among others, PFMA also will push back on regulatory changes that do not serve the best interests of the food industry.

  • As lawmakers contemplate the regulation of games of skill, PFMA’s priority in this context is ensuring member businesses have the opportunity to participate on a level playing field if they choose to enter the marketplace.
  • With the possibility of legalizing recreational cannabis, the association is also prioritizing a level playing field and opportunity for participation for its members and for all competitors, as well as highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks governing the safe sale of marijuana and related products such as Delta-8.

PFMA members rely heavily on a transportation network that is safe, reliable and fast. The association is focused on ensuring PennDOT, PEMA and other state partners understand this and are making the appropriate investments to ensure a consistently dependable system of roads, bridges, rail lines and ports. We are intent on making sure the business community, particularly the food industry, is not unfairly targeted as a means to pay for needed investments, through tolling or similar means.

  • The association is focused on the development of the state’s EV charging network and ensuring that the private retail/fuel sector plays a strong role in the final product.

PFMA strongly believes in the value of food assistance and is heavily involved in both the state’s SNAP and WIC programs, representing the industry on key committees and work groups and maintaining an open line of communication between federal and state agencies and member businesses. Ensuring a smooth transition to online WIC is a key priority for the association in 2024, as are the following pieces of legislation:

  • SB 244/HB 2095, bills by Sen. Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill) and Rep. Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin) respectively, that would streamline the state’s SNAP distribution schedule.
  • HB 2357, by Rep. Eddie Pashinski (D-Luzerne), would establish a statewide program to incentivize the purchase of healthy food by SNAP recipients.
  • HB 2286, bipartisan legislation by Representatives Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia) and David Rowe (R-Snyder), would strengthen immunity language for donating food past that is safe to consume but past its recommended date label.

PFMA is prioritizing the following bills that would improve the alcohol sales landscape for our members:

  • Register legislation – SB 117 – Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair) would allow restaurant licensees with a wine expanded permit the ability to sell wine and beer at any register, require ID card readers at these registers, and permit a sales clerk under 18 to operate these registers except when alcohol would be purchased. If alcohol is to be purchased, an employee 18 or over would then operate the register. In addition, the bill allows customers to access beer and wine within the main store area.
  • Delivery legislation – HB 41 – Rep. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) would authorize beer and wine delivery from local licensees by a WEP holder or licensed third-party facilitator.

Retail crime and illicit trade remain a key concern for PFMA member businesses. Following the successful passage of a state-level INFORM Act in 2022 and organized retail crime legislation in 2023, PFMA is closely monitoring the impacts of these policies to determine their efficacy and the possible need for further changes or refinements to Pennsylvania law. PFMA also understands the serious nature of cybersecurity, data privacy, fraud and other hazards of doing business in the 21st century and is committed to ensuring the industry has input in the development of policies dealing with these issues.

Hiring and retaining workers has been an enormous challenge for PFMA members in recent years. Businesses in the food industry straddle a variety of staffing disciplines, including front-facing retail employees, back office administrative and logistics staff, warehouse workers and truck drivers, each featuring its own unique hiring guidelines and requirements. PFMA believes minimizing obstacles and giving businesses the agility to keep up with a constantly evolving talent pool is crucial both for a healthy industry and a healthy labor force. The association also supports efforts to ensure opportunities for citizens returning to the workforce.

Including those specified above, PFMA maintains a portfolio of key issues that represent opportunities for food wholesalers, retailers, suppliers and others in the industry to grow and thrive. PFMA staff are in routine communication with members of the General Assembly and the Governor’s Office, acting as the voice of the industry to advance these opportunities through legislation and policy.

Taxation

PFMA will continue to push for improvements to Pennsylvania’s business climate. PFMA’s role cuts both ways on this issue, working to promote tax law that encourages growth and expansion while also educating lawmakers on the drawbacks and risks of tax policies we believe are misguided.

  • PFMA supports legislation to exempt sales tax from being subject to credit card interchange fees. Rep. Greg Scott (D-Montgomery) has introduced HB 2394 on this issue.
  • PFMA supports proposals to expand the current cap on the Sales and Use Tax Vendor Discount, which offers a small reduction in the amount of taxes owed by businesses that collect and remit sales tax to the state in a timely manner. Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester) and Sen. Kristen Phillips-Hill (R-York) have introduced legislation on this issue as HB 2278 and SB 1225 respectively.

Regulatory Reform

PFMA supports efforts to reform and streamline regulations at the state level. Pennsylvania’s food supply chain works best when the regulatory landscape makes sense and is easy to navigate. While advocating for improvements to liquor, gaming, labor, food safety, environmental and labor regulations, among others, PFMA also will push back on regulatory changes that do not serve the best interests of the food industry.

As lawmakers contemplate the regulation of games of skill, PFMA’s priority in this context is ensuring member businesses have the opportunity to participate on a level playing field if they choose to enter the marketplace.

With the possibility of legalizing recreational cannabis, the association is also prioritizing a level playing field and opportunity for participation for its members and for all competitors, as well as highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks governing the safe sale of marijuana and related products such as Delta-8.

Transportation and Infrastructure

PFMA members rely heavily on a transportation network that is safe, reliable and fast. The association is focused on ensuring PennDOT, PEMA and other state partners understand this and are making the appropriate investments to ensure a consistently dependable system of roads, bridges, rail lines and ports. We are intent on making sure the business community, particularly the food industry, is not unfairly targeted as a means to pay for needed investments, through tolling or similar means.

  • The association is focused on the development of the state’s EV charging network and ensuring that the private retail/fuel sector plays a strong role in the final product.

Food Assistance

PFMA strongly believes in the value of food assistance and is heavily involved in both the state’s SNAP and WIC programs, representing the industry on key committees and work groups and maintaining an open line of communication between federal and state agencies and member businesses. Ensuring a smooth transition to online WIC is a key priority for the association in 2024, as are the following pieces of legislation:

  • SB 244/HB 2095, bills by Sen. Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill) and Rep. Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin) respectively, that would streamline the state’s SNAP distribution schedule.
  • HB 2357, by Rep. Eddie Pashinski (D-Luzerne), would establish a statewide program to incentivize the purchase of healthy food by SNAP recipients.
  • HB 2286, bipartisan legislation by Representatives Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia) and David Rowe (R-Snyder), would strengthen immunity language for donating food past that is safe to consume but past its recommended date label.

Alcohol Policy

PFMA is prioritizing the following bills that would improve the alcohol sales landscape for our members:

  • Register legislation – SB 117 – Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair) would allow restaurant licensees with a wine expanded permit the ability to sell wine and beer at any register, require ID card readers at these registers, and permit a sales clerk under 18 to operate these registers except when alcohol would be purchased. If alcohol is to be purchased, an employee 18 or over would then operate the register. In addition, the bill allows customers to access beer and wine within the main store area.
  • Delivery legislation – HB 41 – Rep. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) would authorize beer and wine delivery from local licensees by a WEP holder or licensed third-party facilitator.

Illicit Trade / Organized Retail Crime

Retail crime and illicit trade remain a key concern for PFMA member businesses. Following the successful passage of a state-level INFORM Act in 2022 and organized retail crime legislation in 2023, PFMA is closely monitoring the impacts of these policies to determine their efficacy and the possible need for further changes or refinements to Pennsylvania law. PFMA also understands the serious nature of cybersecurity, data privacy, fraud and other hazards of doing business in the 21st century and is committed to ensuring the industry has input in the development of policies dealing with these issues.

Workforce Development / Job Creation

Hiring and retaining workers has been an enormous challenge for PFMA members in recent years. Businesses in the food industry straddle a variety of staffing disciplines, including front-facing retail employees, back office administrative and logistics staff, warehouse workers and truck drivers, each featuring its own unique hiring guidelines and requirements. PFMA believes minimizing obstacles and giving businesses the agility to keep up with a constantly evolving talent pool is crucial both for a healthy industry and a healthy labor force. The association also supports efforts to ensure opportunities for citizens returning to the workforce.

Industry Opportunities

Including those specified above, PFMA maintains a portfolio of key issues that represent opportunities for food wholesalers, retailers, suppliers and others in the industry to grow and thrive. PFMA staff are in routine communication with members of the General Assembly and the Governor’s Office, acting as the voice of the industry to advance these opportunities through legislation and policy.

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