SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 895

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: MAY 9, 1996

 

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 895.

      This bill removes the restriction that plenary retail consumption licensees, seasonal retail consumption licensees and plenary retail distribution licensees may only sell certain prepackaged merchandise during a holiday season. The bill applies to merchandise which is prepared and packaged as a unit by distillers, brewers and vintners and contains an alcoholic beverage and another item or product such as an article of clothing.

      Under current law, these retail licensees are permitted to sell only distillers, brewers and vintners holiday merchandise prepackaged with gift items. This bill deletes the requirement that the prepackaged merchandise be identified by a particular holiday.

      It is the committee's understanding that this requirement places an unnecessary burden on the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, who must determine what is an acceptable holiday. The requirement is unnecessary because the director's primary concern is the suitability of the gift item rather than the holiday.