ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 5137

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JANUARY 13, 2021

 

      The Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5137.

     This bill requires the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to waive the fee for the COVID-19 Expansion Permit. 

     On June 3, 2020, the Acting Director of the ABC issued Special Ruling 2020-10, which created a COVID-19 Expansion of Premises Permit.  This temporary expansion permit enables certain licensees and permittees with on-premises retail consumption privileges to expand their licensed premises into outdoor areas, either contiguous or non-contiguous to their permanently licensed premises.  The special ruling also established a $75 fee for the permit and application process. 

     This bill waives the $75 fee for the COVID-19 Expansion of Premises Permit and requires the Director of ABC to reimburse licensees and permit holders who paid the fee prior to the bill’s enactment.