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Bill

Bill

A 4886

Designates Browning Road Bridge in Bellmawr as "Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge."

2026-2027 Regular Session

Designates the Browning Road Bridge as the Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge, funded via private gifts with no public signage funding.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4886

Purpose and intent

  • Designate the Browning Road Bridge (County Route 659) in the Borough of Bellmawr, New Jersey, as the “Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge” in honor of Captain James R. Reese, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot who died in a 1985 helicopter crash in Japan.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1: Official designation

    • The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the Browning Road Bridge on County Route 659, extending from milepost 0.8 to milepost 0.9, as the “Marine Corps Captain James R. Reese Memorial Bridge.”

  • Section 2: Funding for signage

    • State or other public funds may not be used to produce, purchase, or erect signs bearing the designation.
    • The Commissioner is authorized to accept gifts, grants, or other private financial assistance to fund or reimburse the costs of signs and related maintenance.
    • The Department may enter agreements with private sources (including non-profit, educational, or charitable entities) for funding or cost-sharing.
    • Work on signage cannot proceed and funding cannot be accepted until an agreement with a responsible party for covering the costs is reached.

  • Section 3: Effective date

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who/what is affected

  • The Browning Road Bridge on County Route 659 in Bellmawr, including the identified mileposts 0.8 to 0.9.
  • The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) as the agency responsible for signage and related designations.
  • Private parties may contribute funds or gifts to support signage costs (subject to approval and agreements).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: May 7, 2026
  • Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
  • Effective date: immediate upon enactment (no delay specified)

Additional context

  • The bill documents Captain James R. Reese’s background, service, and death, establishing the memorial designation to recognize his leadership and sacrifice.
  • It aligns with standard practice in New Jersey regarding state-time memorial designations while limiting public funding for signs and allowing private contributions.

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

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