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A 849

Relates to enacting the biomass fired exception program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Blankenbush and 5 co-sponsors

Allows municipalities to auction a plenary retail consumption license for an abandoned historic tavern to the highest qualified bidder, with eligibility and usage rules.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · A 849

Summary of Assembly Bill A-849 (Introduced Version)

Note: The version content provided for A-849 focuses on historic tavern liquor licenses, not the biomass-related topic suggested by the bill’s title. This summary reflects the introduced text as described.

Overview

  • Bill Number: A-849
  • Title (per introduced text): Relates to alcoholic beverage licenses and supplementing Title 33 of the Revised Statutes
  • Purpose: Allow municipalities to issue a plenary retail consumption license to the highest qualified bidder for an abandoned historic tavern, with specific eligibility and usage rules.
  • Status: Referred to Environmental Conservation (initially in 2024; actions show a referral on 2025-01-08)
  • Introduced: January 9, 2024
  • Primary Sponsor: Kenneth Blankenbush (with several cosponsors)

What the bill would do (Key Provisions)

  • Definition of “historic tavern”
    • A building constructed before 1920
    • Listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places
    • The sale and service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption was the primary business prior to 1920
  • Licensing mechanism
    • Municipal governing body may issue a plenary retail consumption license to the highest qualified bidder on an abandoned historic tavern
    • The tavern must be on the Abandoned Property List (per section 36, P.L.1996, c.62) and sold in a special tax sale (per section 24, P.L.2003, c.210)
    • Eligibility criteria may include the bidder’s ability to rehabilitate the property and to qualify as a licensee under Title 33
  • Restrictions on the license
    • The license holder may not sell or transfer the license to another person for use at a different premises
    • A license issued under this act shall not be counted in determining the number of licenses under the population-based quota (N.J.S.A. 33:1-12.14)

Effects and Stakeholders

  • Affected Parties
    • Historic tavern properties on the Abandoned Property List
    • Prospective bidders/licensees with interest in operating on-premises alcohol service at historic sites
    • Municipalities, which would manage the licensing process
  • Policy Impact
    • Encourages rehab and continued operation of historic properties
    • Creates a special licensing pathway outside typical population-based license caps

Timeline and Process

  • Effective Date: Immediate upon enactment
  • Legislative History
    • Introduced in the Assembly on 2024-01-09
    • Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
    • Later actions show referral to Environmental Conservation on 2025-01-08 (duplicate entry)

Sponsors and Related Legislation

  • Primary Sponsor: Kenneth Blankenbush
  • Cosponsors: MaryJane Shimsky, Robert Smullen, Karl Brabenec, David McDonough, Brian D. Miller
  • Related Bills: A6181 (prior-session), A1536 (prior-session)

Notes

  • The bill text provided discusses historic-tavern licensing rather than any biomass-related program, despite the “biomass fired exception program” phrasing in the title. This summary covers the content as introduced.

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

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