In a significant follow-up to the 2024 liquor license reform law (P.L.2023, c.290), Governor Mikie Sherrill last month enacted legislation (Senate Bill 4404) which further revamps the state’s still somewhat antiquated liquor licensing system.

The most significant changes in the new law pertain to the transfer of inactive plenary retail licenses—commonly referred to as “restaurant” or “type C” liquor licenses—mainly through the sale of such licenses (also called “pocket licenses”) beyond the borders of the issuing municipality and by reviving many of the expired licenses in the state. In addition, S4404 expands eligibility for the issuance of special food and beverage licenses for use in qualifying shopping centers. (The new law also makes changes to craft manufacturer and brewery licenses but a summary of those provisions is beyond the scope of this alert, which focuses solely on the new law’s impacts on restaurant licenses.)

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With the legislative session in Trenton coming to an end tomorrow at noon, New Jersey legislators and the Governor have crafted compromise legislation, S4265/A5912 (which can be found here), to address some of the long-awaited reforms so desperately needed to revamp New Jersey’s antiquated liquor license regulations. While the bill makes some significant changes regarding brewery licenses and addresses inactive retail consumption (i.e., restaurant) licenses, it does not fully satisfy Murphy’s call to reform and expand the liquor license scheme overall. The legislation appears to be on track for passage by both houses of the Legislature today, and Governor Murphy is expected to sign the bill into law as soon as it hits his desk.
Continue Reading A Deep Dive Examination of the Restaurant Liquor License Aspects of the Fast-Moving Bill Speeding Through the New Jersey Legislature

With just two days remaining in the two-year legislative session in Trenton, New Jersey lawmakers and the Governor’s Office are reportedly drafting compromise legislation for speedy passage tomorrow and Monday, which Governor Murphy is expected to sign into law in a matter of days. While the contents of the draft bill fall far short of the Murphy Administration’s proposed sweeping overhaul of the state’s alcoholic beverage laws, the revisions appear to be significant. NJ Advance Media has previewed the legislation and is reporting that it would:
Continue Reading NJ Legislature Poised to Revise Restaurant/Brewery Liquor Licensing Laws with Two Days Left in Session

A new statute imposes sweeping new notice requirements affecting properties that are subject to flooding. All owners of land in New Jersey, including commercial and industrial property owners, who lease their sites or are considering a transfer of improved or unimproved land should consider whether the new notice requirements apply. A copy of the adopted statute can be found here.
Continue Reading Landlords and Sellers of Property Beware: New Law Requires Disclosure of Flood Risks for Commercial, Industrial and Multi-Family Sites

A bill on Governor Murphy’s desk for possible enactment into law would add yet another burden on commercial property owners. This time it’s an effort to create a public database of all vacant commercial space available in the state for lease or purchase. Legislators have touted this initiative (Senate Bill 3286/Assembly Bill 4750) as a tool to help New Jersey’s small businesses in “locating storefronts,” but what does it mean for commercial property owners?
Continue Reading Vacant Storefront Registry Program – Would It Really Help?

Op-ed as seen on: ROI-NJ.com
By: George Jacobs and Ted Zangari

High on the list of antiquated regulations that are stifling competitiveness in New Jersey are those governing restaurant liquor licensing. So, kudos to Gov. Phil Murphy for being the first governor in modern state history to openly call for the overhaul of a system that for decades has prevented many restaurants from offering their customers the convenience of an adult beverage. The Murphy administration’s plan is to make restaurant liquor licenses less expensive and more readily available. Both are laudable goals, but the governor’s initiative has encountered resistance from an array of special interests, and legislators are now focusing more narrowly on the issue.

Recently passed legislation on Governor Murphy’s desk for enactment would require all new leases and lease renewals in New Jersey – both commercial and residential – to include specific disclosures regarding potential and past flooding. Similar disclosures would also be required to be added to the “Property Condition Disclosure Statement” for the sale of “any real property located in the State.” (A separate post on this law blog will summarize the bill’s impact on sale contracts.)