New Jersey § 33:1-12

§ 33:1-12.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. The retail alcoholic beverage industry is one of the most highly regulated industries

of the State, controlled by a broad array of laws enacted by the Legislature and regulations

promulgated by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. b. It is the public policy of this State, as set forth in section 4 of P.L.1985, c.

258 ( C. 33:1-3.1 ), to strictly regulate alcoholic beverages to protect the health, safety and welfare

of its citizens, to foster moderation and responsibility in the use and consumption

of alcoholic beverages, to protect the collection of State taxes imposed upon alcoholic

beverages, and to protect the interest of consumers against fraud and misleading practices

in the sale of alcoholic beverages. c. Participation in the alcoholic beverage industry as a licensee under Title 33 of

the Revised Statutes is deemed a revocable privilege conditioned upon the proper and

continued qualification of the licensee. d. Notwithstanding the degree to which retail licensees are regulated, licensees are

not required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the laws and regulations

or their social responsibilities, for the purpose of obtaining or renewing the privilege

to hold a retail alcoholic beverage license. e. Since the alcoholic beverage industry was deregulated in 1980, market forces have

impacted the retail industry to such an extent that a significant number of licenses

have changed, and continue to change, hands and a large segment of new licensees have

insufficient knowledge of their legal and social responsibilities. f. These disruptive market forces and the numerous transfers of license ownership

have occurred during a period of intensive legislative scrutiny of the industry, the

enactment of many new laws and regulations, and the development of programs directed

at the responsible sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. g. Retail alcoholic beverage licensees should be required to periodically demonstrate

a knowledge and understanding of the regulations, laws, and public policies of the

State impacting upon their industry before their license privileges are renewed.