This bill allows for-profit movie theaters to obtain a plenary retail consumption license, enabling them to sell alcoholic beverages. The governing body of any municipality, with the approval of the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, can issue this license specifically for facilities that primarily show first-run motion pictures. The license permits the sale of alcoholic beverages two hours before and during the showing of these films. The application process for obtaining and renewing the license is annual, with an initial fee set at a minimum of $210,000, which can be reduced to $150,000 if a certain percentage of the beverages sold are produced by local breweries and wineries.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the license cannot be transferred to any premises other than those operated as a motion picture exhibition facility. It also clarifies that licenses issued under this new provision will not count against the existing limits on the number of retail consumption licenses a municipality can issue based on its population. By facilitating the sale of alcohol in movie theaters, the bill aims to support the struggling film industry post-COVID-19, encourage economic activity, and promote local craft alcohol producers, thereby enhancing the viability of theaters as cultural and commercial hubs in New Jersey.