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Assembly Public Safety Committee releases bill to expand alcohol zones for global sporting events
Summary
The Assembly Public Safety Committee voted to release Assembly Bill 5007 and the Senate Committee substitute for Senate Bill 3848, measures that would temporarily expand ‘‘all‑inclusive’’ alcohol license areas at licensed sporting venues for major international events while preserving Alcoholic Beverage Control oversight and public‑safety rules.
The Assembly Public Safety Committee voted to release Assembly Bill 5007 and the Senate Committee substitute for Senate Bill 3848 after a brief committee consideration and a read statement from the bill’s prime sponsor.
Assemblyman Calabrese, the prime sponsor, said the measures would “modernize New Jersey's alcoholic beverage licensing framework for global sporting events while upholding strong public safety protocols,” and that the changes are limited to high‑impact, global events. “A 5,007 introduces targeted, temporary adjustments to the state's alcohol licensing laws, limited exclusively to these global sporting events by temporarily expanding all inclusive areas for the duration of these events,” the statement read.
The sponsor’s written statement, entered into the record and read to the committee, framed the bill as intended to help New Jersey compete for major events and to preserve public‑safety oversight. It notes New Jersey venues such as MetLife Stadium, which is scheduled to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and says the proposal maintains existing requirements on responsible alcohol service, intoxication prevention and underage‑drinking enforcement under the continued supervision of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The statement also asserted an economic rationale, saying, “By 02/1930, the global sports tourism market is projected to reach $1,800,000,000,000 growing at 16.1% annually.”
Committee members raised no recorded objections during the hearing and the motion to release the bill from committee carried unanimously. Assemblyman Kannitra made the motion to release the reprint of Assembly Bill 5007 and the Senate Committee substitute for Senate Bill 3848; the committee recorded affirmative votes from Assemblyman Kannitra, Assemblyman Singh, Assemblyman Rodriguez, Assemblyman Marranco, Assemblywoman Drullis, Vice Chairman Varelli and Chairman Danielson. The committee chair said the bill was released after the roll‑call.
After concluding the legislative agenda, the committee moved to schedule a closed‑door meeting with Homeland Security to discuss security issues the state expects to face in the near future; the chair asked nonmembers and nonessential attendees to leave the room before that session.
The committee’s action was limited to releasing the bills from committee. The committee did not adopt the legislation on its merits at the hearing; further committee or floor action will be required before any change to law takes effect.
