Bill
Bill > S4173
NJ S4173
Imposes $0.25 surcharge on alcoholic beverages to be dedicated to Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund.
summary
Introduced
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
In Committee
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides for a $0.25 fee to be included in the price of each alcoholic beverage sold in certain municipalities for the purpose of funding alcohol education, rehabilitation and enforcement. Under the bill, the holder of a retail liquor license authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages in a restaurant or bar which is located in a municipality with 200 or more of these licenses currently active or inactive is required to charge a fee of $0.25 to be included in the price of each alcoholic beverage sold on the licensed premises. These fees are to be collected by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and deposited in the Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund (AEREF). The AEREF supports programs aimed at alcohol and drug abusers. It is funded by an excise tax on licensed manufacturers, wholesalers, and State distributors of alcoholic beverages. The AEREF also receives moneys from a $100 fee paid by convicted drunk drivers. Proceeds from the AEREF are dedicated as follows: 75 percent to rehabilitation, 15 percent to enforcement, and 10 percent to education. The proceeds are distributed to the State's 21 counties according to a statutory formula based on population, income, and need. Under this bill, the AEREF also would receive the proceeds from the $0.25 per drink fee imposed by the bill on alcoholic beverages sold in restaurants and bars in municipalities with a large number of retail liquor licenses.
AI Summary
This bill imposes a $0.25 surcharge on each alcoholic beverage sold in municipalities with 200 or more active or inactive retail liquor licenses. The fee must be included in the price of the drink and will be collected by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control in the Department of Law and Public Safety. All fees collected will be deposited into the Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund (AEREF), which supports programs for alcohol and drug abuse. The bill specifically targets restaurants and bars in areas with a high concentration of liquor licenses, and the additional revenue will supplement the existing fund, which currently allocates 75% of its proceeds to rehabilitation, 15% to enforcement, and 10% to education. The new surcharge will be distributed across the state's 21 counties according to an existing statutory formula based on population, income, and need. The bill will take effect on the first day of the seventh month following its enactment, with provisions allowing the Director of Alcoholic Beverage Control to take preparatory administrative actions in advance.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 03/03/2025)
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/S4173 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4173_I1.HTM |
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