Bill to Sell Beer, Wine in Grocery Stores Tabled

The News Journal is reporting that legislation that would have allowed beer and wine in grocery stores was tabled by a House committee this afternoon due to potential enforcement costs and concerns about minor’s access to alcohol.

House Bill 193, sponsored by State Rep. John J. Viola (D-Newark), would have given grocery stores throughout the state the ability to sell beer and wine. Stores would have been charged a $100,000 licensing fee and a $5,000 biennial renewal fee.

According to the News Journal, the bill ran into trouble when Siobhan Sullivan, director of the state Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement, told the committee that the division would have to hire 12 new agents at a cost of $700,000 to enforce the bill.

Tabling the bill makes it unlikely it will be considered before the June 30 adjournment deadline.

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