ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 1230

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 16, 1996

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably an Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 1230.

      The committee substitute for Assembly Bill No. 1230 amends R.S.33:1-2 to revise the regulatory scheme governing the brand registration filings and fee requirements for vintage wines.

      Under current law, all alcoholic beverage brand and trade name labels must be registered annually with the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages.

      The provisions of the substitute specify that vintage wines are subject only to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control's (ABC) initial brand registration filing and fee requirements. Consequently, no annual renewal filings or fees are required for vintages once the initial registration has been filed and the appropriate fees paid.

      In addition, the substitute also increases from $20 to $23 the initial brand registration fee for all alcoholic beverages.

      This committee substitute is identical to the Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 805.