Bill
Bill > A5231
NJ A5231
Allows veteran service organizations to obtain license to serve members alcoholic beverages.
summary
Introduced
01/27/2025
01/27/2025
In Committee
01/27/2025
01/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes a veteran's service organization license that would allow certain veteran organizations to sell alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises and only to bona fide members of a veteran's service organization, guests of a bona fide member, affiliated bona fide members of other veteran service organizations, and members of auxiliary organizations that are allied with other veteran's service organizations. The bill defines veteran's service organization as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or other veterans' organizations chartered under federal law, or any service foundation of such an organization recognized in its bylaws. Under current law, these veteran organizations may obtain a club license to serve alcoholic beverages to members and guests but are prohibited from serving alcoholic beverages to auxiliary and affiliated members. Under the bill, a bona fide member of a veteran's service organization would be permitted to have not more than nine individuals as guests on any one occasion and host private events. The bill prohibits affiliated and auxiliary members from having guests and hosting private events on the premises of a veteran's service organization at which they are not a member. A bona fide member who hosts a private event would be required to provide all of the alcoholic beverages which are to be purchased off the licensed premises. The license holder would be prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages or charging a fee for the consumption of alcoholic beverages at a private event but would be allowed sell food and non-alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new type of alcoholic beverage license specifically for veteran service organizations, allowing them to sell alcoholic beverages on their premises with some unique restrictions and provisions. The license would be available to organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and would permit them to serve alcohol only to bona fide members, their guests, affiliated members of other veteran organizations, and members of allied auxiliary organizations. A bona fide member can bring up to nine guests to the premises, and can also host private events where they provide their own alcohol purchased off-site. The license holder cannot sell or charge for alcoholic beverages during these private events but can sell food and non-alcoholic beverages. The bill creates a specific definition of a "veteran's service organization" and sets the license fee between $63 and $188, determined by the local municipality. Importantly, this new license type will not count against a municipality's existing limit on retail consumption licenses, which provides additional flexibility for veteran organizations to obtain an alcohol service license.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee (on 01/27/2025)
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/A5231 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5231_I1.HTM |
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