Legislation aimed at giving New Jersey residents priority access to mobile sport fishing vehicle permits has passed the State Senate. The bill, S-4775, was sponsored by Senator Carmen Amato, Jr. and Senator Shirley Turner, with Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre introducing a companion measure in the Assembly.
If enacted, the legislation would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to set an initial 14-day window during which only New Jersey residents could purchase these permits. This action follows policy changes at Island Beach State Park that altered the permit application process and introduced a lottery system.
The sponsors of the legislation issued a joint statement: “The intent of this legislation is simple: to give New Jersey residents the first opportunity to obtain mobile fishing permits. 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.
“From the outset, our Delegation has advised the DEP of the persistent objections raised by residents. While we understand there is high demand for these permits, that reality only strengthens the case that New Jersey residents should be given first preference.
“We are pleased that the Legislature has addressed this issue in a bipartisan manner. 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.”
Assemblyman Rumpf previously sponsored a law in 2020 exempting disabled veterans from fees for beach buggy permits; this law was approved unanimously by both parties in the Legislature.
With Senate approval secured, S-4775 moves on to consideration in the Assembly’s Children, Families and Food Security Committee alongside its companion bill A-6229.
