Bill > S791

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the restricted convenience store license to permit the sale of beer and wine at convenience stores. Under the bill, a license holder is entitled, subject to rules and regulations, to sell beer and wine in connection with the operation of a convenience store for consumption off the licensed premises and in original containers. The holder of the license is required to ensure that a minimum of 20 percent of the alcoholic beverage products displayed for retail sale are products manufactured in this State by the holder of a limited brewery license, restricted brewery license, plenary winery license, farm winery license, or cidery and meadery license. Under the bill, a municipality that prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages within its borders may establish by ordinance or resolution that no restricted convenience store license will be granted within the municipality. Additionally, the bill provides that the population limit in current law concerning the number of retail distribution licenses that may be issued in a municipality is not applicable to restricted convenience store licenses. The bill provides that the licenses are to be issued by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and may be renewed annually. The initial issuance fee is $5,000 and the renewal fee is $1,000. The bill provides that 25 percent of the initial issuance fee will be allocated to the director, with the remaining 75 percent allocated to the municipality in which the licensed premises is located. The annual renewal fee will be divided equally between the division and the municipal governing body The bill defines "convenience store" as a retail establishment that has a minimum gross square footage of 800 and maximum square footage of 5,000 and at which the principal and primary business is the sale of groceries and other foodstuffs for primarily off-premises consumption and may also include the sale of household items, tobacco products, lottery tickets, and motor fuel.

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Gordon Johnson (D)*, 

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

Official Document