This bill proposes to allocate the annual licensing fees collected from various winery-related licenses to the New Jersey Wine Promotion Account for a period of five years. Specifically, it mandates that the fees collected from farm and plenary wineries, wine blending licensees, instructional winemaking facilities, and out-of-State wineries be deposited into this account. The funds will then be appropriated to the Department of Agriculture, which will utilize them to support the New Jersey Wine Industry Advisory Council in awarding grants aimed at research, development, and promotion of the New Jersey wine industry.

The intent behind this legislation is to temporarily redirect approximately $680,000 in winery licensing fees collected in fiscal year 2024 towards marketing initiatives for the winery sector. By investing in the growth of the New Jersey wine industry, the sponsors believe that this strategy will ultimately lead to increased sales and revenue for the state in the long run. The bill is set to take effect on the first day of the fourth month following its enactment.