Legislation Sponsored by John Burzichelli, Roy Freiman and Serena DiMaso
To allow a distillery or business holding a retail consumption license to offer to-go mixed drinks and other alcoholic beverages in sealed containers no larger than pint size, the Assembly approved a bill 80-0 on May 14.
The bill’s provisions would expire six months after the end of the state of emergency or on the day that coronavirus-related executive or administrative orders expire, whichever occurs later. The legislation (A-3966) was signed into law by the Governor on Friday.
Sponsors of the bill, now law, issued the following statements:
“Local restaurants and bars that relied heavily on taproom revenues are finding it tough to make ends meet,” said John Burzichelli (D-Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem). “This bill gives throws them a lifeline. It offers a chance to create more sustainable cash flow, so we can see the industry rebuild as we come out of this COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Despite their own struggles, distilleries have come to our aid and established themselves as selfless partners in this fight by shifting some of their production to hand sanitizer,” said Roy Freiman (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset). “Giving them some financial leeway is how we thank them for their role in helping keep us all safe.”
“During my communications with our restaurant owners, they repeatedly asked for us to get this done,” said Serena DiMaso (R-Monmouth). “It will help to increase their sales and revenue during the Covid-19 pandemic.”