Bill Text: NJ S2474 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Authorizes retailer to accept exchange of unopened container of wine.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-04-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [S2474 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2018-S2474-Introduced.html

SENATE, No. 2474

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED APRIL 12, 2018

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  GERALD CARDINALE

District 39 (Bergen and Passaic)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Authorizes retailer to accept exchange of unopened container of wine.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

 


An Act concerning the retail sale of alcoholic beverages and amending R.S.33:1-12.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    R.S.33:1-12 is amended to read as follows:

     33:1-12.     Class C licenses shall be subdivided and classified as follows:

     Plenary retail consumption license.        1.   The holder of this license shall be entitled, subject to rules and regulations, to sell any alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises by the glass or other open receptacle, and also to sell any alcoholic beverages in original containers for consumption off the licensed premises; but this license shall not be issued to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages in or upon any premises in which a grocery, delicatessen, drug store or other mercantile business is carried on, except as hereinafter provided.  The holder of this license shall be permitted to conduct consumer wine, beer and spirits tasting events and samplings for a fee or on a complimentary basis pursuant to conditions established by rules and regulations of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control[,] ; provided, however, that the holder of this license complies with the terms and conditions set forth in section 3 of P.L.2009, c.216 (C.33:1-12d).  Subject to [such] rules and regulations established [from time to time] by the director, the holder of this license shall be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages in or upon the premises in which any of the following is carried on:  the keeping of a hotel or restaurant including the sale of mercantile items incidental thereto as an accommodation to patrons; the sale, at an entertainment facility as defined in R.S.33:1-1, having a seating capacity for no less than 4,000 patrons, of mercantile items traditionally associated with the type of event or program held at the site; the sale of distillers', brewers' and vintners' packaged merchandise prepacked as a unit with other suitable objects as gift items to be sold only as a unit; the sale of novelty wearing apparel identified with the name of the establishment licensed under the provisions of this section; the sale of cigars, cigarettes, packaged crackers, chips, nuts, and similar snacks and ice at retail as an accommodation to patrons, or the retail sale of nonalcoholic beverages as accessory beverages to alcoholic beverages; or, in commercial bowling establishments, the retail sale or rental of bowling accessories and the retail sale from vending machines of candy, ice cream and nonalcoholic beverages.  The fee for this license shall be fixed by the governing board or body of the municipality in which the licensed premises are situated, by ordinance, at not less than $250 and not more than $2,500. [No] An ordinance shall not be enacted [which shall] to raise or lower the fee to be charged for this license by more than [20%] 20 percent from that charged in the preceding license year or [$500.00] $500, whichever is [the lesser] less.  The governing board or body of each municipality may, by ordinance, enact that [no] a plenary retail consumption license shall not be granted within its respective municipality.

     The holder of this license shall be permitted to obtain a restricted brewery license issued pursuant to subsection 1c. of R.S.33:1-10 and to operate a restricted brewery immediately adjoining the licensed premises in accordance with the restrictions set forth in that subsection.  All fees related to the issuance of both licenses shall be paid in accordance with statutory law.

     Seasonal retail consumption license.       2.   The holder of this license shall be entitled, subject to rules and regulations, to sell any alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises by the glass or other open receptacle, and also to sell any alcoholic beverages in original containers for consumption off the licensed premises, during the summer season from May 1 until November 14, inclusive, or during the winter season from November 15 until April 30, inclusive; but this license shall not be issued to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages in or upon any premises in which a grocery, delicatessen, drug store or other mercantile business is carried on, except as hereinafter provided.  Subject to [such] rules and regulations established [from time to time] by the director, the holder of this license shall be permitted to sell alcoholic beverages in or upon the premises in which any of the following is carried on:  the keeping of a hotel or restaurant including the sale of mercantile items incidental thereto as an accommodation to patrons; the sale of distillers', brewers' and vintners' packaged merchandise prepacked as a unit with other suitable objects as gift items to be sold only as a unit; the sale of novelty wearing apparel identified with the name of the establishment licensed under the provisions of this section; the sale of cigars, cigarettes, packaged crackers, chips, nuts, and similar snacks and ice at retail as an accommodation to patrons; or the retail sale of nonalcoholic beverages as accessory beverages to alcoholic beverages.  The fee for this license shall be fixed by the governing board or body of the municipality in which the licensed premises are situated, by ordinance, at [75%] 75 percent of the fee fixed by [said] the board or body for plenary retail consumption licenses.  The governing board or body of each municipality may, by ordinance, enact that [no] a seasonal retail consumption license shall not be granted within its respective municipality.

     Plenary retail distribution license.  3. a. The holder of this license shall be entitled, subject to rules and regulations, to sell any alcoholic beverages for consumption off the licensed premises, but only in original containers; except that licensees shall be permitted to conduct consumer wine, beer, and spirits tasting events and samplings on a complimentary basis pursuant to conditions established by rules and regulations of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control[,] ; provided, however, that the holder of this license complies with the terms and conditions set forth in section 3 of P.L.2009, c.216 (C.33:1-12d).  The holder of this license shall also be entitled, subject to the licensee's discretion, to accept an exchange of an unopened container of wine which was not purchased from the licensee.  The licensee shall retain a record of the exchange, at the discretion of the director.

     The governing board or body of each municipality may, by ordinance, enact that this license shall not be issued to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages in or upon any premises in which any other mercantile business is carried on, except that any [such] ordinance[, heretofore or hereafter adopted,] shall not prohibit the retail sale of distillers', brewers' and vintners' packaged merchandise prepacked as a unit with other suitable objects as gift items to be sold only as a unit; the sale of novelty wearing apparel identified with the name of the establishment licensed under the provisions of this act; cigars, cigarettes, packaged crackers, chips, nuts, and similar snacks, ice, and nonalcoholic beverages as accessory beverages to alcoholic beverages.  The fee for this license shall be fixed by the governing board or body of the municipality in which the licensed premises are situated, by ordinance, at not less than $125 and not more than $2,500.  [No] An ordinance shall not be enacted [which shall] to raise or lower the fee to be charged for this license by more than [20%] 20 percent from that charged in the preceding license year or [$500.00] $500, whichever is [the lesser] less.  The governing board or body of each municipality may, by ordinance, enact that [no] a plenary retail distribution license shall not be granted within its respective municipality.

     Limited retail distribution license. 3. b. The holder of this license shall be entitled, subject to rules and regulations, to sell any unchilled, brewed, malt alcoholic beverages in quantities of not less than 72 fluid ounces for consumption off the licensed premises, but only in original containers; provided, however, that this license shall be issued only for premises operated and conducted by the licensee as a bona fide grocery store, meat market, meat and grocery store, delicatessen, or other type of bona fide food store at which groceries or other foodstuffs are sold at retail; and provided further that this license shall not be issued except for premises at which the sale of groceries or other foodstuffs is the primary and principal business and at which the sale of alcoholic beverages is merely incidental and subordinate thereto.  The fee for this license shall be fixed by the governing body or board of the municipality in which the licensed premises are situated, by ordinance, at not less than $31 and not more than $63.  The governing board or body of each municipality may, by ordinance, enact that [no] a limited retail distribution license shall not be granted within its respective municipality.

     Plenary retail transit license.        4.     The holder of this license shall be entitled, subject to rules and regulations, to sell any alcoholic beverages, for consumption only, on railroad trains, airplanes, limousines and boats, while in transit.  The fee for this license for use by a railroad or air transport company shall be $375, for use by the owners of limousines shall be $31 per vehicle, and for use on a boat shall be $63 on a boat 65 feet or less in length, $125 on a boat more than 65 feet in length but not more than 110 feet in length, and $375 on a boat more than 110 feet in length; [such] the boat lengths shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the Bureau of Customs of the United States Government or any federal agency successor thereto for boat measurement in connection with issuance of marine documents. A license issued under this provision to a railroad or air transport company shall cover all railroad cars and planes operated by [any such] the company within the State of New Jersey.  A license for a boat or limousine issued under this provision shall apply only to the particular boat or limousine for which it is issued, and shall permit the purchase of alcoholic beverages for sale or service in a boat or limousine to be made from any Class A and B licensee or from any Class C licensee whose license privilege permits the sale of alcoholic beverages in original containers for off-premises consumption.  An interest in a plenary retail transit license issued in accordance with this section shall be excluded in determining the maximum number of retail licenses permitted under P.L.1962, c.152 (C.33:1-12.31 et seq.).

     Club license.     5.     The holder of this license shall be entitled, subject to rules and regulations, to sell any alcoholic beverages but only for immediate consumption on the licensed premises and only to bona fide club members and their guests.  The fee for this license shall be fixed by the governing board or body of the municipality in which the licensed premises are situated, by ordinance, at not less than $63 and not more than $188.  The governing board or body of each municipality may, by ordinance, enact that [no] club licenses shall not be granted within its respective municipality.  Club licenses may be issued only to [such] corporations, associations and organizations [as] that are operated for benevolent, charitable, fraternal, social, religious, recreational, athletic, or similar purposes, and not for private gain, and which comply with all conditions which may be imposed by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control by rules and regulations.

     The provisions of section 23 of P.L.2003, c.117 amendatory of this section shall apply to licenses issued or transferred on or after July 1, 2003, and to license renewals commencing on or after July 1, 2003.

     Sporting facility license.      6.   The holder of this license shall be entitled, subject to rules and regulations, to sell at retail or to serve any alcoholic beverages as the owner, operator, lessee, or concessionaire of a sporting facility by the glass or other receptacle or in original containers only on the premises of the sporting facility.

     Notwithstanding any other provision of Title 33 of the Revised Statutes and subject to conditions established by the director, the holder of this license may share direction and control of the premises to be licensed and share proceeds and profits from the sale of alcoholic beverages with the owner, operator, concessionaire, or lessee of the facility.  The holder of this license shall be permitted to conduct consumer wine, beer, and spirits tasting events and samplings for a fee or on a complimentary basis; provided, however, the license holder complies with the provisions of section 3 of P.L.2009, c.216 (C.33:1-12d) and rules and regulations promulgated thereto.  Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the holder of this license shall be entitled to establish an all-inclusive area within the licensed sporting facility, provided the all-inclusive area is limited to one area within the sporting facility for each game or event and the capacity of the all-inclusive area does not exceed 500 persons.

     The fee for this license shall be $2,500 for venues with a capacity of less than 7,500 persons; $5,000 for venues with a capacity of not less than 7,500 persons but not more than 14,999 persons; $7,500 for venues with a capacity of not less than 15,000 persons but not more than 22,499 persons; and $10,000 for venues with a capacity of 22,500 persons or more.

     For the purposes of this subsection:

     "Sporting facility" means a stadium, arena, team training facility, or similar venue located on public property where alcoholic beverages are served or sold at retail for consumption on the premises by the glass or other open receptacle or in original containers.

     "Team training facility" shall include team offices and team headquarters.

(cf: P.L.2015, c.86, s.1)

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill authorizes certain retailers to accept an exchange of an unopened container of wine which was not purchased from that retailer.

     Under the bill, a plenary retail distribution licensee is entitled, at the licensee's discretion, to exchange an unopened container of wine.  The customer could select a replacement wine for this exchange.  This legislation is similar to laws in other states, including New York.

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