Bill To Prioritize NJ For Island Beach State Park Permits Passes Senate

TRENTON, NJ — A bill that would get New Jersey residents a head start to getting Island Beach State Park mobile fishing permits has passed the State Senate.

The bill S-4775, sponsored by Sen. Carmen Amato and Sen. Shirley Turner, would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish an initial 14-day period during which only New Jersey residents may purchase mobile sport fishing vehicle permits.

Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre have introduced the companion bill, A-6229, which has bipartisan support, including sponsorship by Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli.

"The intent of this legislation is simple: to give New Jersey residents the first opportunity to obtain mobile fishing permits," Amato, Rumpf and Myhre said. "Changes to the application process, including the implementation of a lottery system, caused significant concern among constituents who for years obtained permits without issue and enjoyed long summers at Island Beach State Park."

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners has voiced their support for this as well.

"Ocean County is proud to host several of New Jersey’s most beautiful state parks, and we welcome the tourism that supports our local economy - but our Ocean County and New Jersey residents must come first. They fund these parks, and they deserve priority access, especially at Island Beach State Park," said Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Division of Business Development and Tourism. Read more: Prioritize NJ Residents For Island Beach State Park Passes, County Says

Having passed the full Senate, S-4775 now advances to the Assembly, where A-6229 is awaiting consideration by the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee.

"We are pleased that the Legislature has addressed this issue in a bipartisan manner," Amato, Rumpf and Myhre said. "Without improvements to the permit application process, more New Jersey residents will grow increasingly frustrated with State parks and other State-administered areas that are largely funded by their tax dollars."