Bill Text: NJ A3992 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires DOT to place tourist oriented directional signs for agri-tourism and natural attractions on State roads; expands sites that qualify as natural attraction.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-12-15 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A3992 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A3992-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman SAMUEL L. FIOCCHI
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Requires DOT to place tourist oriented directional signs for agri-tourism and natural attractions on State roads; expands sites that qualify as natural attraction.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning tourist oriented directional signs for agri-tourism and natural attractions and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):
"Agri-tourism" means a type of tourism that offers activities that occur on a farm and are related to the agricultural use of the farm site, including, but not limited to: on-farm sales of agricultural products directly to the consumer, including but not limited to roadside farm markets, community farm markets, pick-your own operations, you-cut Christmas trees, or wineries; educational activities and tours; entertainment, including but not limited to corn mazes, hay rides, seasonal festivals, petting zoos, or haunted barns; and outdoor recreation and lodging.
"Natural attraction" means a publicly- or privately-owned place of scenic or natural importance as designated by the State or the county or municipality in which the place is located and includes but is not limited to, caves, hunting areas, fishing areas, wildlife management areas, wildlife refuges, bird watching areas, whale watching areas, migratory routes, riding trails, and hiking trails.
b. A farm offering agri-tourism or a natural attraction may apply to the Department of Transportation to have a tourist oriented directional sign installed. The Department of Transportation shall place tourist oriented directional signs for farms offering agri-tourism and natural attractions on all eligible roads, including State roads, provided the farm offering agri-tourism or the natural attraction meets the criteria of the tourist oriented directional signs program established by the Department of Transportation pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1997, c.144 (C.27:7-21.12).
c. Notwithstanding any rule, regulation, or law to the contrary, an approved applicant representing a farm offering agri-tourism or a natural attraction shall have a tourist oriented directional sign placed, in accordance with the tourist oriented directional signs program, as soon as practicable and shall not be placed on any waiting list maintained by the department.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Department of Transportation (department) to place tourist oriented directional signs for natural attractions and farms offering agri-tourism on eligible roads, including State roads. The farm or natural attraction is required to meet the criteria established by the department. The department is required to place a tourist oriented directional sign, in accordance with the tourist oriented directional signs program, for an approved applicant who represents an agri-tourism facility or natural attraction as soon as practicable. The department is not permitted to place an approved farm offering agri-tourism or an approved natural attraction on a waiting listed.
"Agri-tourism" is defined as that term is defined in the rules and regulations concerning the department's Tourist Oriented Directional Signs Program. "Natural attraction" is defined as that term is defined in the rules and regulations concerning the department's Tourist Oriented Directional Signs Program, except that the definition in the bill is expanded to specifically include wildlife refuges, whale watching areas, and migratory routes as facilities that qualify as a natural attraction.
