SENATE COMMUNITY AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 929

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 10, 2021

The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 929.

As amended, this bill prohibits a shore municipality from charging and collecting any fees for access to beaches and bathing and recreational grounds, and for use of bathing and recreational facilities, by veterans who have served in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and who were discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable, and who either served at least 90 days in active duty or were discharged or released from active duty by reason of a service-incurred injury or disability.

     Current law permits shore municipalities, by ordinance, to provide free or reduced fee beach access to qualifying veterans.  This bill would require shore municipalities to provide free beach access to these qualifying veterans.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments make technical corrections updating the bill’s underlying statute.