SENATE ECONOMIC GROWTH COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE, No. 1082
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: FEBRUARY 12, 2026
The Senate Economic Growth Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1082.
As reported, this bill directs the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (authority), in conjunction with the Division of Travel and Tourism, to develop and implement a “Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program” (program) to encourage, advertise, and promote craft alcohol beverages manufactured in the State and those New Jersey retailers who promote and sell New Jersey craft alcohol beverages in the State.
Generally, the program is required to increase consumer awareness of certain New Jersey craft alcohol beverages and where such beverages are sold. To accomplish the goals of the program, the bill establishes a “Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer” signage program for eligible alcohol beverage license holders to promote certain products.
The bill creates an associated grant program to facilitate capital improvements or the purchase of goods and services that support the promotion and sales of New Jersey craft alcohol beverages. Grants are to be annually issued from the “New Jersey Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer Fund,” which fund is also established in the bill, in an amount not to exceed $2,500 per grantee. The fund is to be credited with 50 percent of the receipts from the per-gallon tax imposed on sales of beer, cider, mead, and liquors sold by holders of a limited brewery license, restricted brewery license, farm brewery license, cidery and meadery license, or craft distillery license.
The bill requires the authority to establish guidelines for eligible license holders, application timelines, acceptable uses for grants, and associated reporting requirements.
This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.