The bill proposes significant amendments to New Jersey's laws governing alcoholic beverage licensing, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the operational flexibility of craft manufacturers. Key provisions include the definition of "coordinate with food vendors," allowing craft manufacturers to arrange for food vendors on or off their premises without ownership or profit-sharing involvement. The bill also permits craft manufacturers to serve products in outdoor spaces and offer minimal food items for consumption. Additionally, it allows craft manufacturers to hold an unlimited number of on-premises special events without a permit, while limiting off-premises events to 25 per year with a permit.

Moreover, the bill introduces new rights for various license holders, including farm breweries and wineries, enabling them to sell and distribute products to wholesalers and retailers and maintain warehouses for storage. It clarifies the conditions for issuing these licenses, including land control and agricultural engagement requirements. The bill also streamlines the process for transferring inactive plenary retail consumption licenses between municipalities, allowing for public sales and removing previous restrictions on the number of inactive licenses a municipality could acquire. Overall, the amendments aim to promote local production and distribution of alcoholic beverages while ensuring compliance with state regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 33:1-10, 33:1-24.3, 33:1-12.39, 33:1-12.18, 33:1-12.55