ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3921

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 3, 2018

      The Assembly Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 3921.

      This bill authorizes the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to issue a daily or annual permit to the holder of a limited brewery license, restricted brewery license, craft distillery license, plenary winery license, farm winery license, or cidery and meadery license to sell the licensee’s products at a seasonal farm market for consumption off the premises.  The bill allows for the director to charge a fee not to exceed $25 for a daily permit, and a fee not to exceed $75 for an annual permit.  In addition, the permit may be renewed provided the permit holder continues to hold the applicable limited brewery license, restricted brewery license, craft distillery license, plenary winery license, farm winery license, or cidery and meadery license.

      The bill also:

      1) requires the issuance of a separate permit for each seasonal farm market at which the licensee’s products are intended to be sold; and

      2) prohibits the issuance of a permit for use in connection with a roadside farm stand.

      Under the bill, “roadside farm stand” is defined as a location owned by a single farmer or producer at which the farmer or producer sells agricultural products only from the farmer’s or producer’s farm directly to consumers.