Bill
Bill > S101
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Currently, the law prohibits any person or corporate entity from holding more than two retail licenses to sell alcoholic beverages. This bill increases the number of plenary retail distribution licenses that a person may acquire when the license or licenses are used in connection with the operation of a retail food store, or in connection with the operation of a liquor store when the licensee certifies that at least 90 percent of the store's annual sales are alcoholic beverages. While the bill increases the number of retail licenses that one person may acquire, the total number of licenses held by one person is still restricted and gradually increases over time. Immediately following the effective date of the bill, a person may own or have an interest in a maximum of five retail licenses, including any retail license acquired prior to the bill's effective date. Five years following the effective date of the bill, a person may hold no more than a total of seven retail licenses. Finally, 10 years following the bill's effective date, a person may hold no more than a total of 10 retail licenses. Individuals who acquire more than two licenses under the provisions of the bill are required to pay a license transfer fee on each additional license that they acquire. The transfer fee is set at 10 percent of the amount the entity paid for the license and is payable to the municipality in which the licensed premises is situated. It is important to note that this bill does not increase the number of licenses that a municipality may issue.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing law to allow individuals or entities to hold more than the current limit of two plenary retail distribution licenses, which are licenses to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption in original containers. Specifically, this increase applies to licenses used in connection with a "retail food store," defined as a store where groceries and other foodstuffs are regularly sold for off-premises consumption, provided at least 65% of its annual sales come from these items. It also applies to licenses for "liquor stores" where at least 90% of annual sales are alcoholic beverages. The bill gradually increases the maximum number of licenses an individual can hold over time: immediately after the bill takes effect, the limit is five licenses; five years later, it rises to seven; and ten years later, it reaches ten. Individuals acquiring more than two licenses under these provisions must pay a "license transfer fee" to the municipality where the licensed premises are located, equal to 10% of the price paid for each additional license. Importantly, this bill does not increase the total number of licenses a municipality is allowed to issue.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S101 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/101_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S0500/101_I1.HTM |
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