Bill
Bill > A3371
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
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.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new "restricted convenience store license" that allows convenience stores, defined as retail establishments between 800 and 5,000 square feet primarily selling groceries and food for off-premises consumption, to sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption. License holders must ensure at least 20% of their displayed alcoholic beverages are locally produced by specific types of licensed manufacturers, such as breweries and wineries. Municipalities can opt out of issuing these licenses, and existing population-based limits on the number of retail distribution licenses will not apply to these new convenience store licenses. The licenses will be issued and renewed annually by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, with an initial fee of $5,000 (75% going to the municipality) and an annual renewal fee of $1,000 (split between the state and the municipality).
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/A3371 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3371_I1.HTM |
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