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Bill

MD

Bill

A 4816

Prohibits requirement for beach tag for access to beach below mean high tide line for recreational purposes.*

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Margie Donlon and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill eliminates mandatory beach tag fees for recreational access to publicly-owned beach areas below the high tide line, shifting maintenance costs from users to municipalities.

Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · A 4816

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 4816 would prohibit New Jersey from requiring beach tags (paid permits) for public access to beaches below the mean high tide line for recreational purposes. The bill aims to establish that the area below the mean high tide line is public property where residents cannot be charged for access, though it passed with amendments suggesting some modifications to the original language.

Why is this important

Beach tags are a significant revenue source for many New Jersey municipalities, generating millions annually for local budgets and beach maintenance. This bill directly challenges that funding model and raises questions about how coastal towns would maintain beaches and facilities without these fees, potentially shifting costs to property taxes or reducing beach services.

Potential points of contention

  • Municipal revenue impact: Coastal communities rely heavily on beach tag revenue for maintenance, lifeguards, and infrastructure; losing this income could substantially affect local budgets
  • Property rights vs. public access: Tension between property owners' traditional beach management authority and the public's claimed right to free beach access at the waterline
  • Implementation ambiguity: Questions remain about enforcement, maintenance responsibility, and how the mean high tide line would be determined and monitored across different beaches

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

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