ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 898

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 11, 1997

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 898(1R).

      Senate Bill No. 898(1R), as received by the committee, permits hotels and restaurants holding plenary retail consumption licenses and plenary retail distribution licensees (package goods stores) to conduct consumer wine tastings and samplings for a fee or on a complimentary basis pursuant to conditions established by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

      The committee amended the bill to require licensed hotels and restaurants that conduct wine tastings and samplings to adhere to the following conditions: 1) the event must include an alcoholic beverage educational or instructional component; 2) the sampled alcoholic beverages must be from the host licensee's inventory or otherwise purchased in accordance with Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations; 3) samples of fortified wine or distilled spirits must be limited to one-half ounce, and, if the event is a consumer tasting dinner, samples of malt alcoholic beverages or naturally fermented sparkling wine must be limited to five ounces, but if the event is a consumer tasting, samples of malt alcoholic beverages must be limited to four ounces and samples of naturally fermented sparkling wine must be limited to one and one-half ounces; and 4) suppliers, manufacturers and wholesalers must obtain an annual special permit for $100 to participate in consumer tasting events solely to provide alcoholic beverage educational commentary.

      The committee also amended the bill to require package goods stores that conduct wine tastings and samplings to adhere to the following conditions: patrons must be limited to four one-ounce samples in any one 24-hour period; samples are not to be offered to, or allowed to be consumed by, any minor or intoxicated person; and samples are not to be offered when the sale of alcoholic beverages is otherwise prohibited. The committee also removed the provision authorizing package goods to charge a fee for consumer wine tastings and samplings.

      The committee also made technical amendments.