June 26, 2009
Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R-9), Senator Christopher J. Connors (R-9)
Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt that would allow municipalities to provide free or reduced fee beach badges to active military and New Jersey National Guard personnel, as well as their spouses and children over the age of 12, was passed by the full Senate today.
The 9th District Lawmaker’s legislation (S-867) seeks to amend current law, which only authorized municipalities to provide free or reduced beach badges to persons 65 or older and certain disabled individuals. Existing law also provides that children under the age of 12 cannot be charged for beach badges.
“Municipalities should be afforded the right under State law to offer active military personnel, and their families, free or discounted beaches, ” said Senator Connors. “Over the years, certain beach communities have offered this as a sign of gratitude to the men and women of our Armed Forces. To prevent any legal questions, however unlikely, the sensible course of action for the state is to include military personnel among those who can receive this courtesy.”
In June of 2006, the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the legislation by a vote of 79-0, but no further action was taken in the Senate. The 9th District Delegation initially introduced this legislation in May of 2003 and has served as its primary sponsors in both Houses of the Legislature for the past four legislative sessions.
Assemblyman Rumpf went on to say, “When you think about it, there is really no need for delaying a simple amendment to State law authorizing beach communities in our state to offer free or reduced-priced beach badges to municipalities, if they choose to do so. It is important to note that our legislation does not require this. While, to our knowledge, there have been no legal challenges raised against municipalities that have acted on their own accord, it would be prudent to clarify the law and lay this matter to rest once and for all.”
Under the Delegation’s measure, municipalities offering free or discounted beach badges would be required to track the number of persons who qualify for them.
“This legislation, which has bi-partisan sponsorship, should be a no-brainer for the Legislature, considering that it concerns possibly helping out, even if in a small way, the men and women of our Armed Forces as well as their families,” said Assemblyman Van Pelt, a member of the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “It is important to consider that certain beach communities may be hesitant to offer free or discounted beach badges to military personnel because these individuals are not currently among those eligible under current law to receive this privilege. Simply put, there are no potential drawbacks for the state to consider that should hold up this legislation from being acted.”
Having passed the Senate, S-867 now moves to the Assembly, most likely to be joined to its companion bill, A-284, which is currently lodged in the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
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