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 favorably released today by the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.
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.
“Our legislation seeks to protect the right of any municipality to offer certain military personnel free or reduced-priced beach badges as a sign of appreciation for their service and sacrifice to our country, ” said Senator Connors. “While we understand that there are municipalities that currently provide this courtesy, including several in our District, it is important from a legal standpoint to clarify in existing law that municipalities reserve this right. We are not aware of any problems that have been reported, however, that doesn’t mean there won’t be unforeseen legal questions raised sometime down the road that would otherwise be avoided through our legislation.”
In June of 2006, the General Assembly overwhelming 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, “However unlikely, we want to avoid any circumstance from arising that would jeopardize a municipality’s ability to offer military personnel and their family beach badges at reduced rates or free of charge. The fact remains that existing law clearly states who municipalities are authorized to offer this service to, and military personnel are currently not among those listed. A simple change in the law that could be accomplished through our legislation would address this issue and lay to rest any legal questions.”
“If certain municipalities have declined the revenue that would otherwise be collected from charging military personnel and their families for beach badges, then state law should be amended to solidify this right of action,” said Assemblyman Van Pelt, a member of the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Considering that this matter concerns members of our Armed Forces, the Legislature should be decisive in ensuring that nothing under State law could inhibit municipalities from providing this courtesy.”
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.
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October 10, 2008
