HARRISBURG, Pa.—Pennsylvania's House of Representatives has opened a long-awaited debate over whether the sale of liquor and wine should be turned over to private businesses.

Monday's debate revolves around a plan pushed by the leader of the House Republican majority, Mike Turzai of Allegheny County, who has been working behind the scenes to line up votes.

Turzai's bill would replace the present network of 620 state-owned stores with as many as 1,600 privately owned ones.

The more than 1,000 beer distributors would get the first shot at buying the retail liquor and wine licenses, and the rest would be auctioned off.

Distributors, currently limited to selling beer by the case or keg, would be permitted to sell six-packs as well, while supermarkets and taverns could sell more takeout beer.