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A 4912

Relates to volunteer members of village fire companies

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Hawley

Would waive walk-in and bicycle admission to New Jersey state parks and forests on Memorial Day weekend, the week of the Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend.

ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4912

Summary of New Jersey Assembly Bill A 4912 (Introduced Oct 17, 2024)

Note: The bill’s current status is “Enacting Clause Stricken.” The introduced text concerns park admission fees, not the bill’s title topic about volunteer members of village fire companies.

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 4912
  • Title (as introduced): Relates to volunteer members of village fire companies
  • Primary sponsor: Stephen Hawley
  • Introduced: October 17, 2024
  • Status: Enacting clause stricken (as of April 3, 2025)
  • Related Bills: Companion S 3708; other prior-session and companion bills listed

Purpose and Intent

The introduced version aims to waive walk-in and bicycle admission fees for entering New Jersey state parks and forests on selected holiday weekends. Specifically, the bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to offer free entrance during:
- Memorial Day weekend
- The week of the Fourth of July
- Labor Day weekend

If enacted, the measure would effectively reduce or eliminate fee revenue for those periods for walk-in or bicycle entry.

Key Provisions

  1. Fee Waiver
    • The DEP shall not charge a walk-in or bicycle admission fee for entrance into a State park or forest on:
      • Memorial Day weekend
      • The week of the Fourth of July
      • Labor Day weekend
  2. Effective Date
    • The act would take effect one year after the date of enactment.

Agencies, Scope, and Affected Parties

  • Affected Entity: General public visiting New Jersey state parks and forests
  • Implementing Agency: Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
  • Potential Impacts:
    • Public: Free admission for designated holiday periods
    • State/DEP: Potential loss of admission fee revenue during the waived weekends; administrative considerations for implementing the waiver

Procedural History and Timeline

  • 2024-10-17: Introduced in the Assembly; referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee
  • 2025-02-10: Referred to Local Governments (additional committee reference)
  • 2025-04-03: Enacting clause stricken (status update indicating the bill did not advance to enactment)
  • The bill has companion and related bills listed (e.g., S 3708) in other sessions or chambers

Practical and Policy Considerations

  • If enacted, the waiver would create designated periods with free walk-in/bicycle access to state parks and forests, potentially increasing visitation during those weekends.
  • Revenue considerations for the DEP and park operations during the waived periods would be a relevant fiscal question.
  • Since the enacting clause has been stricken, the bill did not become law in its current form, but the introduced provisions outline the policy concept as of the 2024-25 session.

Summary

A 4912 proposes free walk-in and bicycle admission to New Jersey state parks and forests on specific holiday weekends, with the goal of increasing accessibility and encouraging outdoor recreation. The measure would take effect one year after enactment. As of the latest status, the enacting clause has been stricken, meaning the bill did not pass into law in its current form.

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

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