This bill amends current law by removing the time limitation on the issuance of special alcoholic beverage licenses within the boundaries of former federal military installations. Specifically, it eliminates the requirement that municipalities must issue these licenses within 36 months of the law's effective date, as well as the provision that allowed municipalities an additional two years to transfer unissued licenses to another municipality. This change aims to provide municipalities with greater flexibility and time to issue or transfer special licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages in designated project areas, which are typically associated with redevelopment efforts following the closure of military installations.

The special licenses, which are intended for use by hotels, restaurants, and bars within these project areas, allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. The bill retains the structure for how these licenses are distributed among the host municipalities based on population size and maintains the requirement that a special license cannot be transferred outside the project area until the overseeing authority is dissolved. Overall, this legislation seeks to facilitate the revitalization of areas affected by military base closures by streamlining the process for obtaining necessary alcoholic beverage licenses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 33:1-12.52