Bill > S2147

Introduced Session

This bill authorizes the issuance of special licenses in certain municipalities with shopping malls. Under the bill, the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, upon approval of an eligible municipality, may issue one special license for each plenary retail consumption license that is sited in a premises within a shopping mall located in the municipality. The license may be issued to one or more individual corporations or other types of legal entities operating a premises not located in a shopping mall, where alcoholic beverages are intended to be served. The license authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption on the operator's premises. The bill defines an "eligible municipality" as one in which at least one shopping mall is located and the number of plenary retail consumption licenses issued has reached the population limitation. A "shopping mall" is defined in the bill as an enclosed walkway or hall area under common ownership or control, that is open to the public and connects with or provides access to separate retail establishments, including at least one restaurant or other establishment that serves alcoholic beverages pursuant to a plenary retail consumption license. Current law provides that one plenary retail consumption license may be issued per 3,000 residents of a municipality. It has become increasingly common that plenary retail consumption licenses in municipalities with shopping malls are obtained, upon becoming available, by businesses located within the shopping malls, making it difficult for local businesses in downtowns and other areas of the municipalities to compete. This bill is intended to provide an alternate method for a business, such as a bar or restaurant, not located within a shopping mall to obtain a license to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.

Committee Categories

Joe Cryan (D)*,  Holly Schepisi (R), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document