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S 1895

Authorizes any justice or judge in the state to obtain a license to have and carry concealed a pistol or revolver

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom O'Mara

Allows municipalities to waive or reduce beach access fees for seniors, disabled individuals, active military and qualifying family members, veterans, Gold Star families, and ages

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Bill Summary · S 1895

Summary — S.1895 (as provided: beach-fees amendment)

Note on source material: the bill metadata supplied (title about concealed carry) conflicts with the bill text and committee materials provided. The documents attached to S.1895 describe an amendment to New Jersey law regarding municipal beach fees (P.L.1955, c.49 / C.40:61‑22.20). This summary covers the legislative text and committee statement included in the materials (beach-fees bill).

Purpose

To expand and clarify which individuals municipalities may exempt from or charge reduced fees for beach access and use of municipal bathing/recreational facilities, and to allow municipalities to accept certain federal or state documents as proof of eligibility.

Key provisions

  • Revises Section 1 of P.L.1955, c.49 (C.40:61‑22.20).
  • Confers on municipalities that own or control ocean/tidal waterfront lands the continued authority to set and collect reasonable fees for beach/bathing access and facilities (but not from children under 12).
  • Permits (by municipal ordinance) no fee or reduced fees for the following groups:
    1. Persons age 65 or older.
    2. Persons meeting Title II Social Security disability criteria (42 U.S.C. §401 et seq.).
    3. Persons in active U.S. military service and their spouse or dependent children over 12.
    4. Active members of the New Jersey National Guard who have completed Initial Active Duty Training and their spouse or dependent children over 12. (Defines “Initial Active Duty Training” for Air and Army Guard members.)
    5. Persons who served in any U.S. Armed Forces and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable — the bill deletes the prior statutory requirement that veterans must have served at least 90 days of active duty or have been discharged for a service‑incurred injury/disability.
    6. Holders of a driver’s license or ID card with a Gold Star Family designation.
    7. Children between ages 12 and 17 (newly added).
  • Municipalities that adopt exemptions/reduced fees for categories (3), (4), (5), or (6) must track the number of qualifying individuals in a manner deemed appropriate by the governing body.
  • Allows qualifying persons to present specified documents (e.g., DD‑214, DD‑215, DD‑256, NGB‑22, county veteran ID, VA veteran ID, or a State driver’s license/ID indicating veteran or Gold Star status) in lieu of a municipal beach tag to obtain free/reduced access.
  • Municipalities that issue permits to operate motorized vehicles on a beach must not charge disabled veterans a fee to obtain, replace, or renew such permits.
  • Defines “disabled veteran” for the permit exemption consistent with VA service‑connected disability determinations.
  • Effective immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Municipal governments that operate or regulate beaches and related facilities along the Atlantic Ocean, tidal bays, or rivers — municipalities may choose (not required) to adopt these fee exemptions/reductions by ordinance.
  • Beach users in the enumerated categories (seniors, disabled persons, active military and qualifying National Guard members and families, veterans regardless of length of active duty, Gold Star family members, and youths 12–17).
  • Municipal finance/administrative staff (may see reduced fee revenue where ordinances are adopted and will need to track eligible participants and accept specified documentation).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Committee materials show the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reported favorably on May 12, 2025.
  • The bill text indicates it takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Because the statute uses permissive language (“may by ordinance”), municipalities are not required to adopt these fee changes; enactment only authorizes them to do so.

If you want, I can:
- Draft a concise legislative digest suitable for municipal officials explaining implementation steps, or
- Produce a one‑page fiscal note template estimating potential revenue impacts for a sample municipality.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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