Bill > S2797

Introduced Session

This bill allows the governing body of a municipality, upon the approval of the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), to issue a plenary retail consumption license for use in connection with a private theater entity that conducts a majority of live musical or theatrical performances or concerts. Under current law, municipalities are authorized to issue a special plenary retail consumption license, known as a "theater license," to a nonprofit corporation which conducts musical or theatrical performances or concerts on the premises if there is a seating capacity of 1,000 persons or more. The holder of this special license may only serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises during the performance, as well as two hours before and two hours after the performance. This bill specifically authorizes a municipality to issue a plenary retail consumption license to a private entity that operates a small theater with a seating capacity of less than 400 persons which regularly conducts musical or theatrical performances or concerts for which admission is charged. The license would authorize a private entity, including a corporation, or its restaurant operator who has been approved pursuant to procedures established by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises. Under current law, a municipality may issue one plenary retail consumption license for each 3,000 of its population. This restriction would not apply to the holder of a plenary retail consumption license used in connection a small theater in accordance with the bill's provisions.

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Shirley Turner (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 02/22/2024)

Official Document