New Jersey Assembly Bill A2424

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/7/22

Caption

Imposes $0.25 surcharge on alcoholic beverages to be dedicated to Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund.

Impact

The impact of A2424 would be significant on local establishments, particularly those in municipalities where a large number of retail liquor licenses exist. The funds collected from this surcharge will be allocated to support various initiatives under the AEREF, which focuses on rehabilitation (75% of proceeds), enforcement (15%), and education (10%). This financial support is critical for the state's efforts to combat alcohol-related issues and to enhance public safety and health measures regarding alcohol consumption.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2424 proposes a $0.25 surcharge on alcoholic beverages sold in certain municipalities in New Jersey. This fee is required to be included in the price of the drinks and aims to support the Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation, and Enforcement Fund (AEREF). The bill stipulates that this surcharge applies to establishments with a plenary retail consumption license or seasonal retail consumption license in towns with 200 or more active or inactive licenses. The revenue generated from this surcharge is intended to assist programs focused on addressing alcohol and drug abuse issues.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding A2424 include concerns over the financial burden this surcharge may place on both consumers and business owners. Opponents may argue that adding an additional cost to alcoholic beverages could deter customers and negatively impact sales for local bars and restaurants. Additionally, discussions may arise regarding the effectiveness of using such surcharges for addressing the complexities of alcohol and drug abuse, as some stakeholders may call for a more comprehensive approach to these issues beyond financial measures.