Bill
Bill > A5479
NJ A5479
NJ A5479Permits municipalities to charge reduced or no beach fee for children ages 12 to 17; revises law concerning beach fees for veterans.
summary
Introduced
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would allow a municipality, by ordinance, to charge no fee or a reduced beach fee to children between the ages of 12 and 17. This bill would also provide that a municipality, by ordinance, may charge no fee or a reduced beach fee to honorably discharged veterans, regardless of length of active duty or disability. Under current law, a municipality, by ordinance, may charge no fee or a reduced fee to: (1) persons 65 or more years of age; (2) persons who meet the disability criteria for disability benefits under Title II of the federal Social Security Act; (3) persons in active military service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States and their spouse and dependent children over the age of 12 years; (4) persons who are active members of the New Jersey National Guard who have completed Initial Active Duty Training and their spouse and dependent children over the age of 12 years; (5) persons 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 have served at least 90 days in active duty or have been discharged or released from active duty by reason of a service-incurred injury or disability; and (6) persons holding a driver's license or identification card with a Gold Star Family designation. This bill would expand the list of individuals who could receive no fee or a reduced beach fee to children between the ages of 12 and 17. In addition, the bill would delete language in current law limiting the exemption and reduced fee to veterans who have either served at least 90 days in active duty or have been discharged or released from active duty by reason of a service-incurred injury or disability.
AI Summary
This bill allows municipalities bordering the Atlantic Ocean, tidal water bays, or rivers to charge reduced or no beach fees for children ages 12 to 17, and expands beach fee exemptions for veterans. Currently, municipalities can set beach fees and offer free or reduced fees to specific groups, such as seniors, people with disabilities, active military personnel, and certain veterans. The bill removes previous language that limited veteran fee exemptions to those who served at least 90 days or were discharged due to a service-related injury, effectively making all honorably discharged veterans eligible for reduced or free beach access. The bill also adds children between 12 and 17 years old to the list of groups that can receive free or reduced beach fees. Municipalities that implement these fee reductions are required to track the number of people qualifying for the exemptions. Additionally, veterans can use various forms of identification to prove their eligibility, such as military discharge papers, veteran identification cards, or state-issued driver's licenses with veteran designations. The bill aims to provide more accessible beach access for young people and veterans, recognizing their service or developmental stage.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee (on 03/20/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5479 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5479_I1.HTM |
Loading...