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A 4504

Increases the amount certain individuals are eligible for when receiving enhanced residential care

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Berger and 1 co-sponsor

The bill requires DEP to ensure public boat access to every State-owned lake by constructing or contracting with private marinas within two years, funded by $2 million.

PRINT NUMBER 4504A
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Bill Summary · A 4504

Summary of Assembly Bill A 4504 (Introduced Version)

Note: The bill’s stated title in the prompt refers to enhancing benefits for enhanced residential care, but the introduced version text provided concerns public boating access to State-owned lakes. The summary below reflects the introduced text and its provisions.

Basic Information

  • Bill Number: A 4504
  • Title (per introduced text): Public boating access to certain State-owned lakes; appropriation
  • Status: Referred to Social Services (introduced 2024-06-06; subsequent actions listed as 2025-02-04)
  • Introduced: June 6, 2024
  • Primary Sponsor: Maritza Davila
  • Cosponsor: Sam Berger
  • Related/Companion Bills: S 3887 (companion), S 180 (companion), A 9807 (prior-session)

Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to ensure public access to boating on State-owned lakes where boats with or without onboard motors are allowed. It would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create public boating access by working with private marinas through construction, public works, or long-term contracts, and to do so via a public bidding process. The objective is to provide publicly accessible launching facilities that are currently limited or unavailable due to reliance on private marina ramps and capacity constraints.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: DEP Actions and Timeline

    • Within two years after enactment, DEP must:
    • Construct, cause to be constructed, or enter into long-term contracts (via public bidding) with private marina owners to provide public boat access to every State-owned lake where boats (with or without motors) are allowed.
    • If DEP cannot achieve public access to a particular lake, the commissioner must report to the Governor and to the Legislature identifying the lakes without access and the reasons why. If lack of funds is the reason, the report must specify the funding needed.

  • Section 2: Funding

    • A General Fund appropriation of $2 million to DEP to support the public boat access required under Section 1.

  • Section 3: Effective Date

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Funding and Timing

  • Appropriation: $2 million from the General Fund to DEP to implement the public access requirements.
  • Implementation deadline: DEP must act within two years of enactment to establish access via construction or contracts.
  • Reporting requirement: If access cannot be provided, DEP must produce a report detailing lakes lacking access, reasons, and funding needs.

Affected Parties

  • State agencies: Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) responsible for implementing access.
  • Private sector: Private marina owners who would enter into public access arrangements or public-private contracts.
  • General public: Recreational boaters who would gain access to State-owned lakes.
  • Legislative/Executive branches: Governor and Legislature receive required reports if access is not feasible for certain lakes.

Legislative History and Context

  • Introduced in Assembly on 2024-06-06 and referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee; later actions show referral to Social Services on 2025-02-04.
  • Related bills/sponsors indicate parallel efforts (S 3887; S 180; A 9807).

Background and Rationale

The bill cites a growing demand for public boating access at lakes like Greenwood Lake, where no public boat launches currently exist and private marinas have limited or capacity-constrained public access. It notes that during periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic demand for public access increased, and that previously some marinas allowed limited day-use access for a fee, but private access has become less available as demand rises.

Practical Impact

  • Public access would be expanded through public-private arrangements or DEP-led construction at State-owned lakes where boating is allowed.
  • The public would gain greater, more reliable access to boating facilities irrespective of private marina capacity.
  • The $2 million appropriation signals a state investment to begin addressing access gaps, with ongoing funding and feasibility to be determined by subsequent reporting if access cannot be provided for certain lakes.

Note: This summary focuses on the introduced text and its substantive provisions.

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

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