TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A bill to end some restrictive regulations on breweries in the state, in effect since last July, received unanimous approval in a state Senate committee on Tuesday, and business owners are hopeful it will be signed into law soon.
The legislation would allow breweries to host unlimited events, sell packaged snacks and coordinate with local restaurants to provide customers with food options so people aren’t drinking on empty stomachs, and use outdoor taps.
Eric Orlando with the Brewers Guild New Jersey says breweries need a lifeline, and he wants lawmakers to vote on the legislation and get it to Gov. Phil Murphy asap.
“Over the past year, having these restrictions in place, which caps the amount of events you can have and just the overall ability to operate your business, has been really hurtful,” Orlando said.
He says some breweries lost 40% of their revenue, while others had to close because of the restrictions.
Orlando says there’s public support for the legislation.
“We have gotten as many as 25,000 emails sent to legislators in the state of New Jersey, showing their support for the bill, and we hope that continues because we’re going to need it the next two weeks to get this bill across the finish line,” Orlando said.
The bill now must pass a full vote in both the Senate and the Assembly before the governor can sign it into law.
“We’re under the gun. We have two weeks to accomplish this, and we’re hopeful that leadership in both houses embraces this bill,” Orlando said.
There’s no date set for a full vote. If it’s not passed and signed into law by July 1, Orlando said, they will likely have to wait until after the summer, which would be devastating to their businesses. He said he hopes to see it on the agenda next week.
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