ASSEMBLY, No. 3291

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 7, 2022

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  ROY FREIMAN

District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)

Assemblywoman  CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Thomson

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires Division of Travel and Tourism develop and maintain Internet website on historical roadside markers.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning historical roadside markers in this State and supplementing P.L.2009, c.264 (C.18A:73-25.5 et seq.).

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  The Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State, in consultation with the New Jersey Historical Commission, shall develop and maintain an Internet website providing information on the historical and cultural roadside markers program established pursuant to P.L.2009, c.264 (C.18A:73-25.5 et seq.). The information on the website shall be searchable and available as a list and as an interactive map, and shall:

     (1)   specify the location of each site included in the program and provide driving directions from the north, south, east, and west, as well as directions by public transit where applicable;

     (2)   provide information about whether the site offers guided tours, the frequency of tours, and the hours during which tours are conducted;

     (3)   display photographs of each site;

     (4)   provide contact information for the owner or operator of each site, including the telephone number and Internet web address of the site; and

     (5)   connect visitors to county or municipal historical and cultural marker programs and their list of markers.

     b.    The director of the division shall ensure that the Internet website is updated whenever a site is added to the roadside markers program or whenever a governmental entity establishes a new site. The division may accept information or changes to the website from the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Historical Commission, local government officials and entities, owners or operators of historical and cultural sites in the State, or entities that identify and compile data on such sites.

     c.     The New Jersey Historical commission, in addition to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.2009, c.264 (C.18A:73-25.6), shall accept submissions from the public recommending, for inclusion in the historical and cultural roadside markers program, sites not owned, operated, or maintained by a governmental entity through an electronic submission form made available by the division on its Internet website.  The markers shall feature a standardized design bearing the State seal, indicating that the site has been approved by the commission and that the marker meets standards for historical accuracy.  The commission shall consult with the Department of Transportation to establish standards for the design, placement, and location of the roadside markers.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State to develop and maintain an Internet website for the New Jersey program on historical and cultural roadside markers.

     Under the bill, the division would develop and maintain an interactive website providing information on the historical and cultural sites in the program and other sites throughout the State.  The bill requires the division to update the website whenever a site is added to the program or whenever a governmental entity establishes a new historical and cultural site.