Bill > A3722

Introduced Session

This bill would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection from charging any fees to a New Jersey resident who is a veteran, active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, former or current member of the New Jersey National Guard or Reserve, or volunteer emergency worker when issuing a mobile sportfishing vehicle permit to that person. The department currently issues and charges fees for mobile sportfishing vehicle permits, which allow for the operation of motor vehicles on fishing beaches at certain State parks, subject to various safety requirements and other rules and regulations. This bill would prohibit the department from charging a fee for these permits, or any other permits that allow for the operation of a vehicle on a beach for purposes of fishing, when the permits are issued to a New Jersey resident who is a veteran, active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, former or current member of the New Jersey National Guard or Reserve, or volunteer emergency worker. Under the bill, a "volunteer emergency worker" is defined to mean an unpaid volunteer who serves on an active basis as a member of an emergency service organization. "Emergency service organization" is defined in the bill to mean a fire or first aid organization, whether organized as a volunteer or part-paid fire company, fire department, or fire district, or duly incorporated volunteer first aid and emergency or volunteer ambulance or rescue squad association. A New Jersey resident who is a veteran, active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, former or current member of the New Jersey National Guard or Reserve, or volunteer emergency worker would be eligible to hold only one free mobile sportfishing vehicle permit at any given time and would still remain subject to all other laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the issuance of mobile sportfishing vehicle permits. The department would be required to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the bill, including but not limited to, rules and regulations prescribing the types of evidence to be used to demonstrate a person is eligible for a free mobile sportsfishing vehicle permit under the provisions of the bill. The State of Delaware provides a similar free mobile sportfishing vehicle permit to volunteer emergency workers.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Ronald Dancer (R)*,  Aura Dunn (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (on 03/16/2020)