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Bill

MD

Bill

A 2762

Directs Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote New Jersey liquors, beers, and wines.*

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Mitchelle Drulis and 5 co-sponsors

The bill directs the Jersey Fresh program to promote and create a quality grading system for New Jersey beer, wine, and liquor, funded at $100,000 per year.

Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · A 2762

Bill Summary — A-2762 (NJ, 222nd Legislature)

Overview

  • Bill: A-2762
  • Session: 222
  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Chief purpose: Directs the Jersey Fresh program to designate funding for promotion of New Jersey liquor, beer, and wine products; appropriates $100,000 annually from the General Fund for this purpose.
  • Status: Introduced; reported out of Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee with amendments; referred to 2nd Reading. Sponsors: Carmen Morales, Heather Simmons, Andrea Katz (with co-sponsors listed).

1) Primary Purpose and Intent

  • Expand the Jersey Fresh marketing and quality grading framework to include liquor, beer, and wine produced in New Jersey from state-cultivated agricultural inputs.
  • Create a dedicated funding source within the Jersey Fresh Program to advertise and promote New Jersey liquor, beer, and wine products.
  • Align the quality and promotion standards for alcoholic beverages with existing Jersey Fresh quality grading practices.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Definitions (Section 1a):

    • Clarifies terms for the bill:
    • “Beer product”: alcoholic beverage produced by brewing and fermenting grain starches.
    • “Liquor product”: distilled spirit from grains, fruits, vegetables, or sugar after fermentation.
    • “Wine product”: alcoholic beverage made from fresh grapes.
    • “Jersey Fresh Program”: the department’s established marketing and quality grading program (N.J.S.A. Title 4 related to agriculture).
    • “Department”: New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA).

  • Program Expansion and Quality System (Section 1b):

    • The NJDA, as part of the Jersey Fresh Program, must advertise and promote NJ liquor, beer, and wine products whose quality meets department standards.
    • The department must develop and implement a quality grading and rating system for alcohol products.
    • The new alcohol-focused grading system must be consistent with the existing Jersey Fresh grading standards used for other agricultural commodities.

  • Funding Authorization (Section 1c and Section 2):

    • In addition to existing Jersey Fresh funds, the bill appropriates $100,000 annually from the General Fund to the NJDA specifically for promoting NJ liquor, beer, and wine under Jersey Fresh.
    • Section 2 reiterates the annual $100,000 appropriation dedicated to promoting NJ-produced liquor, beer, and wine within the Jersey Fresh Program.
    • Section 3: Effective immediately upon enactment.

  • Effective Date:

    • Immediate effect; provisions take effect as soon as the bill is enacted.

3) Who and What Are Affected

  • Affected Entity:
    • New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), specifically its Jersey Fresh Program.
  • Affected Products:
    • New Jersey-produced beer, wine, and liquor products derived from state-grown agricultural inputs.
  • Stakeholders:
    • NJ producers of beer, wine, and spirits.
    • Consumers of New Jersey alcohol products seeking state-origin offerings.
    • State economy and marketing efforts promoting local agricultural products.

4) Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Funding Timeline:
    • The bill appropriates $100,000 annually, beginning after enactment (no specified start fiscal year in the text beyond “annual sum”).
  • Legislative Process:
    • Introduced January 13, 2026; referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
    • Reported out of committee with amendments on May 4, 2026; moves likely to 2nd Reading and potential floor action.
  • Implementation:
    • Requires development of a new quality grading and rating system for alcohol products, aligned with existing Jersey Fresh standards.
    • Administrative actions by NJDA to designate funds, set up marketing/promotional activities, and apply standards.

5) Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Positive Impacts:

    • Greater visibility and marketing support for New Jersey-made alcohol products.
    • Potential economic benefits for local producers due to enhanced branding and consumer awareness.
    • Standardized quality assessment aligning alcoholic beverages with other Jersey Fresh products.

  • Considerations:

    • Oversight and reporting requirements for use of the $100,000 annual appropriation (not detailed in the text).
    • Whether the new grading system will require regulatory updates or additional rule-adoptions.
    • Interaction with existing alcohol regulatory and advertising frameworks in New Jersey.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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