SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2921

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 11, 2021

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2921.

      As reported by the committee, this bill allows a municipality to permit people to consume alcoholic beverages outdoors in designated open container areas.  The bill defines “open container area” as a portion of a municipality or an area encompassing the entire municipality in which pedestrians are permitted to carry and consume open containers of alcoholic beverages outdoors. 

     The bill requires a public hearing to be held on the merits of establishing an open container area prior to a municipality adopting an ordinance.  The sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption in an open container area would be subject to statutory law, rules and regulations promulgated by the director, and municipal ordinances.