New Jersey Senate Republicans

08/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2026 12:07

O’Scanlon Bill Giving Permanent Boost to Restaurants and Craft Beverage Retailers Becomes Law

News Flash

O'Scanlon Bill Giving Permanent Boost to Restaurants and Craft Beverage Retailers Becomes Law

Declan O'Scanlon Posted on August 28, 2026

Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O'Scanlon (R-Monmouth) that permanently allows certain businesses holding liquor licenses to sell alcoholic beverages to take-out and delivery customers was signed into law.

The new law builds on Senator O'Scanlon's effort that temporarily established these rules during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a critical lifeline for New Jersey restaurants and hospitality businesses.

"During the pandemic, this commonsense policy helped restaurants survive one of the toughest periods in their industry's history," said Senator O'Scanlon. "Several years later, customers still appreciate the convenience, and restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries continue to benefit from the added revenue. I'm proud that the flexibility we gave these businesses during the pandemic will now be permanently available to them with the signing of this law.

"Once we relaxed these restrictions there was no negative impact. It was win/win. That's a clear indication that the restrictions were ill-advised in the first place. The same thing goes for overly restrictive local land use and other rules restricting outdoor dining. Once relaxed there was no negative impact, and we all enjoy outdoor dining now more than ever. Government across the board should constantly examine the rules and restrictions we place on our constituents to make sure the rules and restrictions are justified and serve a net positive public purpose. If they don't, change them."

Under Senator O'Scanlon's bill, S-4384, businesses holding a liquor license are permanently authorized to sell alcoholic beverages in their original or sealed containers for off-premises consumption.

The bill will also allow certain craft beverage manufacturers, including breweries, wineries, distilleries, and meaderies, to deliver their products directly to customers' homes.

Read the full text of the bill online.

New Jersey Senate Republicans published this content on August 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 28, 2026 at 18:07 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]