SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 2597

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

 

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2597.

       As reported by the committee, this bill temporarily permits the holder of a summer seasonal retail consumption license to sell alcoholic beverages year round from May 1, 2020 through January 14, 2022. 

      Current law permits the holder of a seasonal retail consumption license to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises by the glass or other open receptacle similar to the holder of a plenary retail consumption license, but only during a summer or winter season. The summer seasonal license allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages from May 1 through November 14.

      The bill temporarily lifts the date restrictions on the summer seasonal license, effectively permitting holders of summer seasonal licenses to also sell alcoholic beverages during the non-summer season until January 14, 2022.  According to the sponsor, temporarily removing the seasonal restrictions will allow these licensees to recoup some of the losses incurred from mandatory restaurant and bar closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.