Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOSEPH CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits increasing or imposing beach fees for three years.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution prohibiting certain municipalities from increasing existing or imposing new beach fees for three years beginning in 2013.
Whereas, Beach access fees are imposed by numerous beach communities in the State to provide funds used by the municipality to improve and maintain the beaches, and to fund endeavors to protect the beach from erosion, encroachment and damage; and
Whereas, Some shore municipalities with unaffected beach access may experience an increased number tourists and vacationers due to the destruction of other beaches within the State as a result of Hurricane Sandy; and
Whereas, All New Jersey residents and taxpayers, especially those residing in counties with a heavily damaged shoreline, will likely share in the expense of repairing the State’s shoreline; and
Whereas, In the near future, New Jersey residents and taxpayers will bear at least some of the financial burden of infrastructure investment efforts to prevent the same level of destruction by another natural disaster along the New Jersey shore; and
Whereas, In the interest of fairness to New Jersey taxpayers, and to promote the return of visitors to beach communities throughout the State, it is fitting and proper that new or increased beach access fees imposed by municipalities be prohibited for three years, beginning for the summer of 2013; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. No municipality which receives federal or State funds for Hurricane Sandy related damage relief may increase existing or implement new beach fees pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1955, c.75 (C.40:61-22.20) for three years, beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2015.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this joint resolution, signed by the Governor, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly shall be transmitted by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs to the registered municipal clerk of each shore municipality with beach access.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution temporarily prohibits for three years municipalities receiving federal of State Hurricane Sandy relief aid from increasing beach fees or from imposing new fees under section 1 of P.L.1955, c.75 (C.40:61-22.20). This joint resolution prohibits any such fee increase or implementation beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2015.
The temporary prohibition would prevent certain municipalities from imposing or raising fees at a time when those areas may enjoy an increase in visitors as a result of the destruction of other beaches in the State by Hurricane Sandy. The affordable access to public beaches in the State is important to protect for residents of the State, as well as those visiting New Jersey beaches.