SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4384

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 11, 2026

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4384.

      As reported by the committee, this bill makes permanent provisions of P.L.2020, c.33, which temporarily granted retail licensees and craft distillery licensees certain privileges in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

      Specifically, the bill allows the holders of plenary retail consumption licenses, hotel or motel licenses, seasonal retail consumption licenses, or concessionaire permits to sell and deliver alcoholic beverages in original containers or in closed and sealed containers, and mixed cocktails in closed and sealed containers for consumption off the licensed premises.

      In addition, the bill allows craft distillery licensees to sell for consumption, on or off the licensed premises, distilled alcoholic beverages manufactured on the licensed premises and mixed or blended with other alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages and sold in closed and sealed containers.  The bill also allows craft distilleries to sell distilled alcoholic beverages in original containers accompanied by one or more nonalcoholic beverages or foodstuffs that the consumer may combine to prepare a mixed drink. 

      Under the bill, mixed drinks are to be sold in closed and sealed containers that are affixed with a tamper evident seal and hold not more than 16 fluid ounces.  Any other alcoholic beverages may be sold and delivered in original containers of any size. 

      In addition, the bill allows certain craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers to deliver their products in original containers directly to the residence of a consumer within this State who is 21 years of age or older.  The bill extends this home delivery privilege to the holder of a: limited brewery license; plenary winery license that annually produces 250,000 gallons of wine or less; farm winery license; craft distillery license; and cidery and meadery license.  The bill requires these licensees to transport alcoholic beverages in a vehicle that displays a transit insignia issued by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and is owned, operated, or otherwise used in connection with the licensed premises.