Gov. Phil Murphy’s public schedule for Friday lists that he will sign “outdoor dining expansion legislation.”
While the governor’s advisory doesn’t list the specific bill, an office spokesperson confirmed it is the outdoor dining expansion bill that both houses of the state Legislature passed last month following Murphy’s veto of a similar bill.
The fast-tracked legislation, which skipped committee votes, would allow restaurants, bars, breweries and distilleries struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic to extend their footprints and serve patrons in parking lots, yards, patios, decks and public sidewalks.
Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, a sponsor, said last month that the bill (S3340) would help these establishments shortcut the “red tape that government creates and give these businesses a small shot in the arm to survive.”
The bill passed 34-0 in the Senate and then cleared the Assembly in a 75-0 vote before it made its way to Murphy’s desk. It now appears that the governor will finally sign it Friday.
When he vetoed the first bill, the governor said at the time that it “circumvents existing licensing and regulation processes critical to protecting the public’s health and safety.” That includes shifting enforcement and oversight from state Alcohol Beverage Control fully to local governments while also forcing municipalities to approve any applicant that submits proper documentation and overriding their ability to limit hours of operation, he said.
Murphy announced Wednesday morning an executive order that relaxed indoor dining restrictions and lifted the 10 p.m. indoor dining ban that has been in place since November.
Murphy also increased indoor dining capacity to 35% amid statewide case totals and hospitalizations trending downward. Capacity limits had sat at 25% since September. Gyms and indoor entertainment venues also saw 10% increases Wednesday.
Those new indoor dining restrictions go into effect on Friday at 6 a.m.