NJ A5270

Requires the State Treasurer to annually deposit into the "Jersey Fresh Program Fund" revenues equal to $0.21875 per gallon from the alcoholic beverage excise tax on wines, vermouth, and sparkling wines sold by plenary winery and farm winery licensees

The dedicated amount represents 25 percent of the current excise tax imposed on these wine sales

Expands the existing Jersey Fresh Program Fund, which was established in 2017 and currently relies on voluntary contributions through gross income tax returns

All funds deposited must be appropriated annually to the Department of Agriculture to support the Jersey Fresh Program, including advertising, promotional activities, and quality grading programs for locally grown agricultural products

The Jersey Fresh Program encompasses branding for New Jersey fruits and vegetables, nursery crops (Jersey Grown), seafood (Jersey Seafood), equine livestock (Jersey Equine), and processed foods made with NJ-sourced products (Made with Jersey Fresh)