We Need You to Help Your NJ Breweries On Thursday, June 7th, New Jersey's Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee will meet to vote on A-1277. The bill, developed by the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild, will give all craft brewers in the state more flexibility in how, when and where they sell and promote their beer. By Wednesday, June 6th, please contact the members of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (listed below) to let them know that you support the legislation as a craft beer consumer and ask them to VOTE YES on the bill. It's especially important if you live in the district of one of the committee members. Not sure who your legislators are? Find out here [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/municipalities.asp] Current regulations highly restrict what New Jersey brewers can do—especially when compared to the surrounding states of New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Specifically, this bill would allow: • one company to open more than two brewpubs • production breweries to sell beer for on and off premise consumption • breweries and brewpubs to conduct informational tastings off premise • brewpubs to distribute beer through the wholesale network This will lead to a healthier environment for small brewers and more choices for craft beer consumers. When calling the members of the committee, you should comment on how this bill will help small brewers continue to create jobs, improve tourism opportunities and cut needless red tape. From the consumer perspective, you should comment on how the bill will allow you to have better access to the locally made craft beers you love and want more of. Remember, please call or email these members by Wednesday, June 6th to make sure your voice is heard and your support for A-1277 is registered. Thank you for your continued support of New Jersey's craft brewers. Members of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee Mainor, Charles – Chair (201) 536-7851 asmmainor@njleg.org Wilson, Gilbert – Vice Chair (856) 547-4800 asmwilson@njleg.org Albano, Nelson (856) 696-7109 asmalbano@njleg.org Benson, Daniel (609) 631-0198 asmbenson@njleg.org Connors, Sean (201) 795-9190 asmconnors@njleg.org Cryan, Joseph (908) 624-0880 asmcryan@njleg.org Kean, Sean (732) 974-0400 asmkean@njleg.org McGuckin, Gregory (732) 840-9028 asmmcguckin@njleg.org Peterson, Erik (908) 238-0251 asmpeterson@njleg.org Rible, David (732) 974-0400 asmrible@njleg.org Watson Coleman, Bonnie (609) 292-0500 aswwatsoncoleman@njleg.org ****************** cheers and thanks, john
This is the 2nd committee to vote. A big thing that worked in our favor on the 1st committee vote and has allowed this to move forward is that each member of the 1st committee got more than 200 phone calls in support of our bill. Please contact these Assembly people Wednesday. thanks, john
A-1277 approved by committee. vote was 7-2 http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp?BillNumber=A1277 cheers john
So is this signed into law? Or does it just get passed up to the next level now? Either way this is great news for craft fans in nj. I cant wait to go to the flying fish or cricket hill brewpub someday!
Guild Bill Up for Final Vote-please make calls today. The bills have made it through all Committee votes now. We are once again asking for your help in support of New Jersey brewers and consumers. Starting Thursday, June 21st, New Jersey's Senate and General Assembly will meet to vote on A-1277/S-641 . The bill, developed by the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild, will give all craft brewers in the state more flexibility in how, when and where they sell and promote their beer. Please contact your local legislators by end of day Wednesday, June 20th, to let them know that you support the legislation as a craft beer consumer and ask them to VOTE YES on the bill. Below is a link which will help you contact your local legislators based on where you live. Simply click on your town on the list, and it will show you who your local legislators are so you can contact them: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/municipalities.asp When calling/writing the members, you should comment on how this bill will help small brewers continue to create jobs, improve tourism opportunities and cut needless red tape. From the consumer perspective, you should comment on how the bill will allow you to have better access to the locally made craft beers you love. Remember, please call or email these members by Wednesday, June 20th to make sure your voice is heard and your support for A-1277/S-641 is registered. Thank you for your continued support of New Jersey's craft brewers. cheers john
The Brewer's Bill Passes Thanks to all our supporters who helped get the Brewer's Bill passed. On Monday last week, the Bill was passed out of committee in both the House and Senate. On Thursday it was passed by the full Assembly and yesterday it was passed by the Senate. It now moves on to Governor Christie, who is expected to sign it. Every call and email helped make this happen. Thanks to all for your help. cheers john
